Vieux Fort Quarter

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For the town in Guadeloupe, see Vieux-Fort, Guadeloupe.

The Quarter of Vieux Fort, and the city of the same name

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.

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

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

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).

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 where you can buy some of the best and tastiest fish in the world, from tuna to coral fish.

[edit] History

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 near Augier. This tunnel was used for storage of supplies and also a quick route to the hospital. The combination of soldiers and severe local poverty created a market for prostitution, which was used to try to siphon some foreign cash to the poor villagers.

Unfortunately, people who reside in Vieux-Fort have no idea about such a tunnel and are wondering what evidence is there to support that such a tunnel ever existed.

There is a part of Vieux Fort that 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. In recent times Black Bay has become a haven for expats.

[edit] 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 iguanaindigenous to St. Lucia.

[edit] Government

The quarter is represented by two members of the House of Assembly. The current representative for Vieux Fort North is Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste and Hon. Kenny Anthony is the representative for Vieux Fort South.