The most beautiful religious buildings Atlantic Coast

Among the most interesting on the island, the church of La Trinité embodies the religious foundation of the colonists. Built between 1708 and 1710, it differs from the traditional rectangular plan: it is indeed built on a classical rectangular plan and the high altar is flanked by two side altars. An original detail, the bell tower, is topped by a minaret. Several times renovated, natural disasters have not spared it! On the left side of the church, we can see a porch that gives access to the cemetery. Nice view on the village.

This church is one of the most beautiful gems of religious architecture in Martinique. Built in 1667 but rebuilt in 1774 and again in 1813, it welcomed Father Labat, a young Dominican missionary, when he arrived in Martinique. Its wooden frame is the result of the skills of the sailor-carpenters employed in the construction of religious buildings. A lovely little cemetery looks out to sea just behind the church. Its roof is particularly low and close to the ground, which may be surprising, to better resist hurricanes.

This recent church is the heir to a succession of earlier buildings. The plans for an avant-garde church, imagined by Federico Genovese and Olivier Dubosq, after waiting for some 40 years, have finally been realized. The congregation can once again hear the five bells engraved with the names of their patrons (Saints Joseph, Michael the Archangel, Lawrence, Philomena and Our Lady the Great)—they were blessed on Christmas Day 2009. The materials used for its construction and the façade are similar to those of the building destroyed in 1973.

Founded in 1758, the Baroque-inspired church dominates the village of Saint-Esprit, making it its first historic monument. Its handsome volumes were altered several times following the hurricanes of 1951 and 1962. It houses a Russian bell known as Sebastopol, brought back from the Crimean War, in which a contingent of Martiniquais took part. To thank Martinique, Admiral Bruat, the island's former governor, brought back bells. Since then, the parish has been animated by numerous Sunday masses and choirs.

From 1848 until 1885, Basse-Pointe welcomed tens of thousands of Tamil workers from Pondicherry in India. These “coolies”, as they are called here, kept their traditions and built temples, including two particularly important ones in Basse-Pointe. The first is located after the Pocquet River, facing the pond; the second is near the Gradis Habitation. They can be visited on Sundays and during the “Bon dit coolie” ceremony.