Colonial Fort Condé: A Step Back in Time
Discover Mobile's colonial past at Colonial Fort Condé, a partially reconstructed 18th-century French fort in the heart of downtown Mobile.
Colonial Fort Condé, a partially reconstructed 18th-century French fort, offers a glimpse into Mobile's colonial past [3, 9]. The original Fort Condé was built in 1723 by French explorers and was initially named Fort Louis [2, 6]. It was later renamed Fort Condé to honor Louis Henri de Bourbon [6, 9]. Throughout its history, the fort changed hands between the French, British (Fort Charlotte), and Spanish (Fuerta Carlota) before becoming part of the United States [3, 6]. Today, the reconstructed fort represents about one-third of the original structure at four-fifths scale [2, 3]. Visitors can explore exhibits showcasing artifacts from Native Americans and European colonists, providing insights into the lives and times of early Mobile [3, 9]. Walk along the fort walls for unmatched views of Mobile's skyline, a striking contrast between the 18th-century design and the modern cityscape [3, 9]. Throughout the year, Colonial Fort Condé hosts living history events, with historical interpreters demonstrating aspects of daily life in colonial times [2, 3]. Musketry demonstrations are held on Saturdays [2, 3, 9]. Colonial Fort Condé also serves as the city's official welcome center [6, 9].
Local tips
- Check the History Museum of Mobile's website for the schedule of living history demonstrations and special events at Colonial Fort Condé [3].
- Admission to Colonial Fort Condé is included with admission to the History Museum of Mobile [2, 3, 4, 9].
- Explore the nearby Mardi Gras Park to see remnants of the original Fort Condé [3].
A brief summary to Colonial Fort Condé
- 150 S Royal St, Mobile, Central Business District, Alabama, 36602, US
- +1251-544-5480
- Visit website
- Monday 9 am-4:30 pm
- Tuesday 9 am-4:30 pm
- Wednesday 9 am-4:30 pm
- Thursday 9 am-4:30 pm
- Friday 9 am-4:30 pm
- Saturday 9 am-4:30 pm
- Sunday 1 pm-4:30 pm
Getting There
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Walking
From the Mobile Convention Center or nearby downtown hotels, Colonial Fort Condé is easily accessible on foot [3, 9, 10]. Head south on Royal Street; the fort will be on your left, just past Government Street [3, 9, 10]. The walk is generally flat and takes about 5-10 minutes from most central locations [3, 9, 10].
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Public Transport
The Wave Transit System serves downtown Mobile [3, 10]. Several bus routes have stops near Colonial Fort Condé [3]. Check the Wave Transit website or app for the most up-to-date schedules and route information [3, 10]. From the nearest bus stop on Government Street, walk south on Royal Street to reach the fort [3, 10]. A single ride fare is $1.25 [3, 10].
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Taxi/Ride-Share
Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Mobile [3, 9, 13]. Request a ride to Colonial Fort Condé at 150 S Royal Street [3, 9]. Expect to pay around $8-$12 for a short trip within downtown Mobile [3, 9].
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Driving
If driving, navigate to 150 S Royal Street, Mobile, AL 36602 [3, 9]. Limited two-hour street parking is available in the area for $1 per hour [9, 13]. Paid parking lots are also located nearby [9, 13]. Parking rates typically range from $4 to $10 for 4-8 hours [9].
Attractions Nearby to Colonial Fort Condé
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Condé-Charlotte Museum
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History Museum of Mobile
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Mardi Gras Park
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Exploreum Science Center & Poarch Band of Creek Indians Digital Dome Theater
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The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico
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GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico
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Cooper Riverside Park
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Phoenix Fire Museum
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Saenger Theatre Mobile
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Bienville Square
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The Mobile tunnel
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Dauphin St
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Alabama Contemporary Art Center
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Cathedral Square
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Mobile Carnival Museum
Landmarks nearby to Colonial Fort Condé
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Ruins of the Second Fort Conde
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Christ Church Cathedral
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Mobile Historic Development
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The Admiral
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Historic Mobile Bay
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Pincus Building
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Visit Mobile Alabama
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Downtown Mobile
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Mobile Hidden Figures Historical Marker
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Chighizola House
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Philippi Mastin House
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The Temple Downtown
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The Pollock-Altmayer House
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Bettie Hunter House
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Kennedy-Cox House