Fort Fleur d'Épée

Overlooking Gosier, Point-a-Pitre, and the marina of Bas-du-Fort, with Marie Galante, les Saintes, and Basse-Terre visible in the distance, the Fort Fleur d'Épée has not only great views but was also a strategically placed vantage point.

It is the last architectural remnant of the island's old line of defense that ran along the coast in more threatening times. Now it is a picnic spot for islanders and a destination for tourists who are weary of the beach- which is probably why we were the only ones there.

The underground tunnels of the fort have been converted to a dimly-lit gallery, perhaps the appropriate exhibition space for a show of work investigating race, slavery, and cultural domination, by artists from French colonies. If it's kept underground, no one will ever see it, and everyone can go on happily living in the sun. And they have a good point. However, not only is the artwork provacative in subject, some of it's also really good visually. I'm not sure if it is a permanent collection , but it's worth the visit.

Posted by Ree in Guadeloupe on 14/Feb/2006

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