Cap-Haïtien, Haiti’s second-largest city, was founded by Bertrand Ogeron in 1670.With its numerous heritage sites, this port city is the pride of the Haitian people. Alternatively called Cap Français, Cap-Henri or simply Le Cap, Cap-Haïtien is the hub of the North and of Cap-Haïtien district.
Situated on Haiti’s northern coast, the city was considered the safest harbor for navigation in the 19th century.Following Haiti’s War of Independence, the region became the country’s most fortified and features the following sites:
• La Citadelle La Ferrière
• Fort Pacolet
• Fort Mangy
• Fort Belly
• Fort-aux-Dames
• Fort St. Joseph
CAP-HAÏTIEN
Vertières is the name of the site of the final battle of November 18, 1803 pitting French troops commanded by General Rochambeau against revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ precarious slave army led by François Capois, the fearless general nicknamed Capois-La-Mort. Located on the outskirts of Cap-Haïtien, Vertières is the site of the Heroes of Independence Monument.
Vertières
Le Marché Artisanal
Labadie
Labadee is a privately-run beach resort located on the northern coast of Haiti, 5 km northwest of Cap-Haïtien.
In 1986, the Haitian government leased Labadee to Royal Caribbean International, which has since been the country’s foremost generator of tourist dollars. The resort employs 300 locals and offers opportunities to a further 200 vendors to market their wares. Royal Caribbean International remits $6 US per tourist to the national government.
The resort is oriented around five beaches. A private company provides onsite security. The Labadee Resort is gated and cruise ship passengers must remain within its perimeter during their stay.
A select group of Haitian vendors were granted rights to set up shop and sell their products at the resort.
Although occasionally advertised as an island, Labadee is in fact located on Haitian soil.
RCI built a pier that received the largest cruise ship ever built, “Oasis of the Seas,” in 2009.
Attractions in Labadee include a flea market, numerous beaches, aquatic sports, a waterfront play field and a zip line.
Labadee remains a busy port-of-call for cruise ships.
Photos:Richarson Dorvil
Photos:Richarson Dorvil
