Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, or Fort des Natchitoches is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and is part of the Cane River National Heritage Area. The fort was built in 1716 by Sieur Charles Claude Dutisné, who was sent to Natchitoches to build an outpost that would keep the Spanish forces in Texas from advancing to French Louisiane.

The fort acted as a trading and military outpost and became a center of economic life in the area. Fort St. Jean was abandoned in 1764, when Louisiana was transferred to Spain.

The location of the original fort is unknown. The fort was reconstructed in 1979, near the spot where the fort was probably located. The site hosts frequent living history re-enactments in period costumes, showing what life was like in the 1750s.

Fort St. Jean Baptiste, 155 Jefferson St, Natchitoches, LA 71457, Phone: 318-357-3101

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