Cap Haitien, one of the oldest Haitian cities, is located in the northern section of the country. Le Cap, as it is also called was founded in 1670. During french colonial times, Cap Haitien was called Cap Francais by the French and was the capital of the colony of St. Domingue. The biggest commercial port was located in Cap Haitien. At least twice, Cap-Haitien would be used as the capital of Haiti.

Cap-haitien is now the second largest city of the country. Thanks to its historic and economic importance the city is viewed very highly. Its marvelous sites such as the historic fortresses, its beaches welcomed great numbers of tourists weekly when tourism was high in Haiti up into the mid 80s. Although the city had suffered great destruction in 1734, 1798, 1802 and 1842 (the 1842 earthquake killed half the population and destroyed Sans Souci palace), in some ways it still manages to provide to the visitor the feeling of a french colonial city à la New Orleans or in the mold of Jacmel.