Visiting Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte

About Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte

The hill above Castries was fought over by Britain and France, and the 18th-century buildings of Fort Charlotte now house a college. The road up passes viewpoints over Castries harbour, Vigie and, on clear days, north to Pigeon Island.

Tip: Stop at the viewpoint near Government House on the way up for the classic panorama of Castries harbour.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 1 hour.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Castries and Vigie, the capital's market, cathedral and harbour, plus beach hotels near the city airport.

Best time to visit Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte

Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:

• February: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, very busy crowds.
• April: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
• March: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.

For the view at golden hour: in mid-February the sun sets at about 18:09 local time (calculated for Saint Lucia).

When to visit Saint Lucia has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen The Pitons and Sulphur Springs.

• No. 12 of the 14 sights in our Saint Lucia things-to-do list.
• Listed in free things to do in Saint Lucia.

Near Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte

Also in Castries and Vigie, so you can walk between them:

• Castries Central Market — 1–2 hours, free

If you like Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte

• The Pitons — Soufrière, Half a day for viewpoints
• Sugar Beach — Soufrière, Half a day
• Tet Paul Nature Trail — Soufrière, 45 minutes
• Pigeon Island National Landmark — Rodney Bay and Gros Islet, 2–3 hours

Staying near Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte

Stay in Castries and Vigie ($$) to walk here: the capital's market, cathedral and harbour, plus beach hotels near the city airport. All areas to stay in Saint Lucia.

Questions travellers ask