Formerly a large exporter of bananas and coffee, Port-de-Paix, which was once a large exporter of coffee and bananas, now imports goods and produce from Miami.
The area around the town was given the name "ValparaÃso" by Christopher Columbus after landing here on December 6, 1492 and still contains many attractive beaches and locations. A ferry operates between the town and Tortuga Island (La Tortue) situated just across the water.
The town was founded in 1665 by French filibusters, driven from Tortuga Island by the British occupiers. In 1679 the town saw the first black slave revolt. The area saw great succes during the 19th century but in 1902 the town was almost entirely destroyed by fire, and never attained its former status.
Port-de-Paix is also the chief town of an arrondissement of the same name. The arondissement consists of four communes: Port-de-Paix, Bassin Bleu, Chansolme and Tortuga Island.
Named for the smooth shape that reminded travelers of a turtle's shell, Tortuga's best beach is Pointe Saline at the western tip of the small island. This area is very dry and offers little shade but has a beautiful shoreline. At Les Palmiste on the eastern coast visit a pre-Columbian rock carving presumed to be of native Taino origin of a goddess at La Grotte au Bassin exists.
The town of Môle Saint-Nicolas is located in the Nord-Ouest. Ever since Columbus landed here in 1492 and named the island Hispaniola, Môle St-Nicolas has been of interest to the colonials, including the British, Spanish, French, and the Americans due to its strategic location on the Windward Passage, just miles from Cuba. There are several ruined forts along the coast. On clear nights the Guantánamo province of Cuba can be seen.
