Fort Condé is a reconstructed French colonial fort in the heart of downtown Mobile, built on the original 1723 site of the fort that gave the city its early European character. The reconstruction is a 1970s project but it is well-executed, and the small museum inside gives a clear account of Mobile's layered colonial history — French, British, and Spanish flags all flew here before the Americans arrived. Costumed interpreters are on hand most days.
The fort doubles as Mobile's visitor information centre, which makes it a logical first stop. The location in the lower downtown near the waterfront is convenient for the rest of the city's historic attractions.