Thursday April 27, 2023, as part of the commemoration of the 175th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Fort de Joux (Doubs, Savoie) located at the top of a rocky outcrop in 1,000 meters of altitude where was deported and imprisoned the hero of independence, Toussaint Louverture, on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte, for having opposed by arms, the restoration of black slavery

The orders given by Bonaparte, specified that Toussaint Louverture should "receive suitable treatment and that he will be sufficiently clothed and warmed", but the climate of the mountains remained difficult to bear for an already sick Caribbean man. Toussaint Louverture died in his 6.50 meters by 3.90 meters cell, located on the ground floor of the vaulted building of the keep, 5 months after his arrival and before Haiti's independence.

Emmanuel Macron paid homage to Toussaint Louverture, born a slave in 1743 on a plantation in the French colony of Santo Domingo, freed he joined the slave insurrection in 1791, distinguished himself by his bravery, his military sense and then joined revolutionary France after the abolition of slavery where he became a General before being crushed militarily by Bonaparte.

Let's remember that the Fort de Joux was the first place of memory linked to slavery and its abolition. As early as 1901, a ceremony had been organized on the occasion of the break of a commemorative plaque. Then in 1927, a large demonstration welcomed General Nemours, who deposited in Toussaint's cell, the Haitian flag, which Toussaint had not known. In 1954 a stele in his memory was installed.

Tribute from the French President to Toussaint Louverture :

HL/ HaitiLibre