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Sans Souci Palace
Sans Souci Palace
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
20 reviews
Excellent
14
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5
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bhtiek
Batu Ferringhi, Malaysia87 contributions
Dec 2022
The Sans Souci Palace along with La Citadelle are two of the most outstanding sites in the Caribbean. Constructed under the orders of Henry Antoine he lived in the palace and, after suffering a stroke, committed suicide in one of its rooms. His body was removed in secret and interred somewhere in La Citadelle but no one knows precisely where. I had an official guide (they wear yellow T shirts with logo) who spoke excellent english. His name is Antoine and his phone is 33389324 or 36831058. There is $20 entry fee which covers both sites.
Written December 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandra s
94 contributions
Jan 2021 • Solo
It’s one thing to read online but to see this place in person was amazing. I’m Haitian and just seeing this made me feel so much pride in my people. Everyone was friendly and helpful, must see if you’re in northern Haiti!
Written March 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew M
7,589 contributions
Dec 2019
The Sans Souci palace has an interesting history, and is located just outside the village of Milot. The palace is in ruins but one can still imagine the splendor of the structure when completed in 1813. The palace grounds were divided into twelve sections, namely; The King's residence, the State Council, Plaza of the cayemite tree, the King's garden, Ministers quarters, the Queen's residence, Stables, Carriage House, Barracks, Printery, the cathedral and the Queen's garden. The Palace was the grandest in the Caribbean, and was built to be the equal of similar structures in Europe. The Queen had sculptures imported from Italy and strategically placed throughout the grounds. One of these still remains in the Plaza of the cayemite tree.
The famous cayemite "tree of justice" is said to be older than the palace, and was used by the King for trials. It seems unable to support itself, and is held in place by scaffolding. You can walk around the Palace ruins and on the lower levels of the palace. Access has been blocked to the upper areas which have been deemed unsafe. Best photos are taken from the southern area of the palace which has the remains of the barracks and swimming pool. The sweeping staircases and many waterways of the palace show the grandeur of the structure.
The Palace was built between 1810-1813 as a monument to the self proclaimed King of Haiti, Henri Christophe. Henri was a lieutenant of Jean-Jacques Dessalines during the war for Hatian independence. After the war was won in 1804, he conspired to assassinate Dessalines, and shared Haiti with his co-conspirator, Alexandre Pétion. Pétion ruled the south, and Henri ruled the north. A battle between them in 1807 ended in a stalemate, and Henri decided to build the Palace and Citadelle. Before building the palace, Henri invited Colonel Jean-Baptiste Sans Souci for talks at the palace site. Colonel Sans Souci was a critic of Henri, and locals say that the Colonel was killed at the site, and this is how the palace got it's name.
The Palace was the site of government for only seven years, as King Henri suffered a stroke in 1820. Revolts occurred all over the north when locals heard that the King was incapacitated, and Henri committed suicide, by shooting himself. The King was buried at the citadelle. Henri's son, Jacques-Victor Henry, became King, but he only lasted for 10 days, as he was assassinated at the Palace. Queen Marie-Louise and her two daughters migrated to Pisa, Italy. The Palace was not occupied after this incident, and an earthquake in 1842 reduced it to the ruins which exist today.
In 1982, the palace was designated as a protected site by UNESCO. The site is in dire need of repair, and hopefully funds are identified to maintain this unique and historical structure in the Caribbean. After seeing the palace, the cathedral where King Henri was crowned can be visited. The Citadelle is a long trek south west of the palace site, and is a must see if you have reached this far.
The famous cayemite "tree of justice" is said to be older than the palace, and was used by the King for trials. It seems unable to support itself, and is held in place by scaffolding. You can walk around the Palace ruins and on the lower levels of the palace. Access has been blocked to the upper areas which have been deemed unsafe. Best photos are taken from the southern area of the palace which has the remains of the barracks and swimming pool. The sweeping staircases and many waterways of the palace show the grandeur of the structure.
The Palace was built between 1810-1813 as a monument to the self proclaimed King of Haiti, Henri Christophe. Henri was a lieutenant of Jean-Jacques Dessalines during the war for Hatian independence. After the war was won in 1804, he conspired to assassinate Dessalines, and shared Haiti with his co-conspirator, Alexandre Pétion. Pétion ruled the south, and Henri ruled the north. A battle between them in 1807 ended in a stalemate, and Henri decided to build the Palace and Citadelle. Before building the palace, Henri invited Colonel Jean-Baptiste Sans Souci for talks at the palace site. Colonel Sans Souci was a critic of Henri, and locals say that the Colonel was killed at the site, and this is how the palace got it's name.
The Palace was the site of government for only seven years, as King Henri suffered a stroke in 1820. Revolts occurred all over the north when locals heard that the King was incapacitated, and Henri committed suicide, by shooting himself. The King was buried at the citadelle. Henri's son, Jacques-Victor Henry, became King, but he only lasted for 10 days, as he was assassinated at the Palace. Queen Marie-Louise and her two daughters migrated to Pisa, Italy. The Palace was not occupied after this incident, and an earthquake in 1842 reduced it to the ruins which exist today.
In 1982, the palace was designated as a protected site by UNESCO. The site is in dire need of repair, and hopefully funds are identified to maintain this unique and historical structure in the Caribbean. After seeing the palace, the cathedral where King Henri was crowned can be visited. The Citadelle is a long trek south west of the palace site, and is a must see if you have reached this far.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron and Jeanne B
Minsk, Belarus265 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
On the edge of the village of Milot, you usually visit here on the way to the Citadelle. Although ruined now, enough remains to be inspired by the story behind its creation and destruction. It was built by a former back slave who aimed to show her was the equal of any white, European ruler--and he largely succeeded! In its time it would have been the equal of anything in Europe.
Written June 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Garry M
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic112 contributions
Feb 2018 • Business
If you go to Milot and you are lucky enough to meet with Maurice Etienne from Lakou Lakay ask him to take you to the Sans Souci Palace. This guy has the local knowledge about this place to make you discover the beauty of the History behind that building.
Written February 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeGrace B
Ithaca, NY146 contributions
Mar 2022
It is convenient to couple a visit to the Palais Sans Souci with a trip up the mountain to the Citadelle fortress from where it is possible to have a view of much of the Atlantic facing coast of Haiti. IT was built to assure that the French would not be able to reinstitute slavery. These restored ruins are on the World Heritage list and are monuments to human freedom.
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kings
Baguio, Philippines8 contributions
Apr 2022
The ruins of the Palace of Henry Christophe: a place where history were made. The decline of Haiti as the Perle des Antilles.
Written January 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna C
USA35 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Beautiful ruins; great view of the city proper. Definitely go through with a guide who can give you a bit of the history and knows all the nooks and crannies to safely explore. Just a few dollars (~ $5 usd) for entry. (Good for the week!).
Definitely make your way on up the mountain for the Citadelle as well.
Definitely make your way on up the mountain for the Citadelle as well.
Written March 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LisandroVoyager
Washington DC, DC784 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
The highly experienced historian Eddy Lubin provided me with an extensive background for Haiti's rebellion as well as for the role and structure of the palace itself. He has a good grasp of history and preservation matters and the site's simbiosis with the very attrative village of Milot.
Written January 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Haiflower
6 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
Such beautiful architecture and history. I love the views. Found locals studying here because it is so quite and peaceful.
Written August 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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