Today, we're off to discover Fort Caroline.

As well as being a hike with magnificent scenery, it's also a place filled with distant memories.

But first, let's take a look at how to get there.

From the landing stage, take the road towards Fort Napoléon. At the intersection, turn right towards Marigot.

The starting point for the hike is between the Baie du Marigot beach and the "La Paillote" restaurant on the right.

Located on Morne Morel, the start of the hike is quite tough. The path climbs quickly and soon offers a view of the Bay.

Morne Morel is one of the main heights on the island of Terre-de-Haut. The morne, which rises to an altitude of 136 m, bears at its summit an ancient defensive position, known locally as the Caroline battery, which until the 19th century was used by soldiers to spot enemy fleets.

After a few minutes' walk, you'll come to a fork in the road. Turn right to begin the Fort Caroline hike.

The beginning of the hike is quite complicated.

Don't be discouraged! The rest of the way is fairly flat and easy.

Take the time to take breaks. Here, the flora and fauna are in abundance, with many species of cactus such as the English head, snowshoes and aloe vera, as well as scorpions, garter snakes, dragonflies and numerous butterflies.

So don't forget your camera to capture these magical moments.

Arriving at the first viewpoint, you can see the Baie du Marigot, le Chameau, Terre-de-Bas, Fort Napoléon, etc. from above.

A little more effort and the hard part's over. When you come to a barrier, you can either go left (this is the shortest route to Fort Caroline) or go right for a second viewpoint over Guadeloupe.

Continue along the road until you see a small pond.

After a stop at the edge of the pond, in the shade, we continue our walk towards Pointe Morel.

You're almost there! Admire this magnificent view of Pompierre beach.

Just a few more steps and you'll have reached Batterie Caroline.

Take a seat and let me tell you the tragic story of this fortress:

It all began in 1822 at Les saintes in Terre-de-Haut, where a tragic love story unfolded between a young Saintoise woman better known as Princess Caroline and French naval officer Christophe Paulin de Poix chevalier de Fréminville (1787/1848).

Caroline was the sister of a wealthy widow who looked after the chevalier de Fréminville, who was at that time (1822) lieutenant of the ship La Néréide.

He had a passion for nature and was seriously injured in the rocks when he fell into the water, but not knowing how to swim, his body was badly carried by the waves, which brought him to shore.

He was found by fishermen and taken to Caroline's sister's house in Morne Morel.

Fréminville obviously fell in love with the beautiful Caroline, but had to return to his ship on a mission. The two promised to wait for each other.

On November 3, 1822, Caroline, thinking she would never see her beloved again, threw herself off Morne Morel.

On his return (3 days later), the lieutenant found the grave of the young woman he had fallen madly in love with.

Margueritte, Caroline's previous nanny, gave him the clothes of his beloved deceased, which he kissed and treasured.

Having returned to sea, the pain of this loss slowly poisoned his spirit.

In 1828, he began to dress in Caroline's clothes, saying he had become one with his beloved.

And so it was that he continued to cross-dress until the end of his days in 1848.

The engravings and accounts of this drama are preserved at Fort Napoléon.

After so much drama, why not head down to Pompierre beach. Follow the arrows to Pompière and cool off in the shade by the water's edge.

The Baie de Pompierre is a listed natural site. Entry and mooring of boats is strictly forbidden. You can swim there in complete peace after a good hike :-)