The memorial occupies 389 acres on Highway 169, seven miles south of Gillett along the lower
Arkansas River. The French built a fort here in 1686, making it the first permanent European settlement in the Mississippi Valley.
Ownership of the region passed to Spain between 1765 and 1800, reverting to France before being acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
The visitor center and museum contain historical exhibits. Visitors and tour the townsite, hike nature trails and enjoy birding opportunities afforded by the memorials location along the Mississippi Flyway.