Vieux Fort District

"Vieux-Fort" redirects here. For other uses, see Vieux-Fort (disambiguation).

Vieux Fort
Quarter
Coordinates: 13°45′N 60°57′W
Country	St. Lucia

Vieux Fort is located in the southern part of St. Lucia. It is the second-largest town on the island and is the home of St Lucia's international airport, Hewanorra International Airport. (Hewanorra is the island's old Amerindian name). Vieux Fort is also the name of the Quarter that encompasses the city.

Geography

It has several small communities which include Augier, Belle Vue, Black Bay, Grace, La Resource, Pierrot, St.Urban, La Tourney, Vige and Zaboo.

Economy

Every Friday and Saturday is market day where you can buy local goods such as spices, ground provisions and fruits. It also houses St. Lucia's biggest fish market.

History

Dutch sailors built a fort here, though the first fort in St. Lucia was built by the Oliphe Blossome settlers in 1605.

In the second half of the 18th century, Vieux Fort was the center of St Lucia's sugar industry; today it is more industrial.

Part of Vieux Fort is called Black Bay. It got its name because legend has it that the infamous pirate Blackbeard used this part of the country to stash his ill-gotten gains.

During the Second World War, Vieux Fort became a base for American troops. Some of the evidence can still be seen around town, such as the underground tunnel that runs from Clark Street all the way to St. Judes Hospital in Augier. This tunnel was used for storage of supplies and also a quick route to the hospital. Many people who reside in Vieux-Fort today have no idea about such a tunnel.

In recent years a new modern part of Vieux Fort has been erected to reflect the modern world, yet if you walk along Clark Street and its surrounding roads, you will still see what is known as The Old Town. Here you will see historic colonial houses that give Vieux Fort a touch of Old England and France (albeit they do need a bit of renovation now). In recent times Black Bay has become a haven for expatriates.

Government

The quarter is represented by two members of the House of Assembly.

Tourism

Whilst the majority of tourist activity in Saint Lucia is based on the West coast, some hotels are located in Vieux Fort Quarter. A notable tourist attraction is the Maria Islands Nature Reserve, managed by the Saint Lucia National Trust, which is a nesting ground for leatherback turtles and is home to a species of iguana indigenous to St. Lucia.