Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Atlantic Coast

Crossed by the River Lézarde, Habitation Saint-Étienne is one of the island's most innovative distilleries. Nestled in the heart of exuberant vegetation, the architectural ensemble dominates the old distillery and outbuildings. Don't miss a visit to the magnificent Jardin Remarquable. Continue on to the historic cellars and the boutique, which hosts exhibitions. Since this year, HSE has been offering rum-chocolate workshops with a tour of the estate's cocoa plantations, cocktail workshops on request, and has just launched a range of rhums arrangés.

In the heart of the Caravelle peninsula, the Hardy rum estate is in the midst of conversion. Anchored for 5 generations by the same family, Hardy rum is gradually emerging from its reserve, thanks to a revival project due to see the light of day in 2024. Although this former ^19th-century distillery has not been in operation for several years, production of this legendary rum has continued under the leadership of Jean-Pascal and Gaëlle Hardy, who have launched a range of exceptional rums of ever-increasing quality. But now, they want to go one step further and breathe new life into this ruined distillery with a project to refurbish the old factory, creating a museum and an ageing cellar. The idea of the current owners is to breathe new life into the old distillery through an educational tour designed to showcase the Caravelle peninsula's unique rum. With work scheduled for completion in 2024, visitors can already admire some of the distillery's industrial heritage exhibits, including the 1946 steam engine, the 1918 distilling column, and the 1930s chimney and boiler. A rooftop above the old stone wine storehouse offers visitors a bird's-eye view of the distillery, and a superb panorama of the sea, îlet Tartane and plage de la Brèche. A magical place to discover in the unspoilt setting of the Caravelle Nature Reserve..

They are accessible down the Chopotte descent. The bay of Le Robert appears, beautiful in its emerald dress. Its coast, as if torn by an invisible hand, offers the pilgrim the indescribable show of a string of islets… Located in the east of the island, the islets of Le François are very popular and therefore touristically busy. There are eight of them: îlet Frégate, îlet Lapin, îlet Lavigne, îlet Long, îlet Métrente (also called îlet Anonyme), îlet Oscar, îlet Pelé, îlet Thierry. They are an ideal destination for a day trip by boat. Many excursions leave from the commune. The competition is tough between the boats. The program remains the same for all: bathing in the white sea bottoms, where rum flows freely, lunch on the islets, nautical activities… It is especially the atmosphere on board which differentiates them. The initiator of this excursion is Albert Mongin. Among the most famous of these white sea bottoms, there is of course the famous Baignoire de Joséphine, where you will evolve (not alone) in transparent water up to the navel. To reach the islets, there are many options: by yole (the best way according to us), by boat (the most comfortable way), with a fisherman (the safest way), by speedboat, with a guide, by catamaran or even by kayak. Note that these islands are subject to a protection order and specific regulations aimed at preserving the fauna and flora of these ecosystems, some of which are considered very rare.

Nestled in an immaculate cove of white sand, the beach of Petit Macabou, hemmed in by grape trees, jealously guards its authenticity and its wild aspect. You can go for a horseback ride, go for a hike, fall asleep in the sun, and swim with caution because of the abundance of seaweed off the coast, which often deposits thick piles of algae. Halfway between Le Marin and Le Vauclin, this natural treasure can be discovered after passing a beautiful windmill, a vestige of the colonial era, and after walking 2.5 kilometers along a stony path.

La Trinité has the particularity of possessing the vestiges of mills in the sugar houses, which were used to crush the cane and to extract the vésou necessary to the manufacture of rum. Powered by animals, water or wind, they coexisted until the 20^th century, even if, from the second half of the 19^th century, steam mills have gradually pushed back the windmills first, then the animal mills and finally the water mills. Unfortunately, most of them are only visible from the road because they are located on private property.

A necklace of eleven volcanic islets adorns the bay of Le Robert, which is one of the most beautiful in Martinique. Rich of an exceptional fauna and flora, it counts more than 180 species of fish in its waters. The islets try to resist tourist invasion, which could disturb their fragile ecosystem. Here are some of the most famous.

Îlet Loup-Garou. This thin strip of sand consists of a heavenly cove and a chasm, once much feared by ships. Its only inhabitants are a few crabs. Its access is forbidden, as well as that of Boisseau islet.

Îlet Madame. The busiest of the bay. Its aquamarine water and its white sand beach attract more and more visitors, who can take shelter under specially built wooden shelters and come to spend the day there, picnic, enjoy the place.

Îlet Chancel. The largest in Martinique (2 km long and 850 m wide), the islet was owned by the Dominicans in the 18^th century, who installed a sugar purgery there. We can still see the remains of the lime kiln where shells and hard corals were burned. Inhabited by a great variety of species, the islet is a real natural conservatory. Iguanas, manikous (birds) and bats are timidly spotted by tourists. It was by horse-drawn carriage that Mr. du Parquet, governor of Martinique, went, when he liked, to a piece of land off the coast of Le Robert that belonged to him. In order to land, and having only a small arm of the sea to cross, he would leave his carriage at the stable, which earned this place the name of Pointe de l'Ecurie, which it has retained ever since. In the middle of the 17^th century, this islet Ranville, yesterday, or Chancel, today, was simply called the islet Monsieur or Monsieur… Du Parquet. When he died, the site was bequeathed to the Dominican monks. The years pass against all odds and the place, which the iguanas love, becomes that of the Dubuc de Ranville. Many legends are told about the islet… the place is full of secrets, disappearances at sea or sultanas. It was once again renamed and adopts the name of its new owner, Lagrange Chancel (mayor of Le Robert in 1851)…

Îlet à Eau. Surrounded by emerald colored water, this islet is perhaps a little less busy than the others. It will be particularly appreciated by nature lovers who may have the chance to see some square-tailed doves.

It is still possible to admire on both sides of the D10 the ruins of this old sugar house transformed into a distillery in the 19^th century and which faces the sea. The old chimney, still standing, indicates its location. Mill, boilers and evacuation pipes are still visible and evoke the rich past of its rum activity. The distillery stopped working in 1963. At the soccer field, take the path that crosses the banana and sugarcane fields: you will arrive at a temple dedicated to the goddess Mariamman.

For more than twenty years, Dominique Petit has been loud and clear: this is not a zoo! In this 3,000 m² farm that she has transformed into an educational farm, this committed farmer houses pigs, ponies, donkeys, sheep, rabbits, as well as a poultry hotel! Her objective: to make visitors discover what farms can offer and let them experiment. Visits include feeding the animals with cuddling and petting sessions, gardening and planting workshops, with a focus on environmental protection.

2 km hike with 150 m ascent. A beautiful Way of the Cross to discover. The climb is steep and the ground can be wet and slippery, but the walk is magnificent. Chinese cabbages, beacon trees and bamboos line the route. At the highest point, you'll discover a small red-and-white chapel and a splendid panorama opening onto southeastern Martinique, from La Caravelle to Sainte-Anne. You can return by the same route or along the eastern flank to the Ensfelder district (but in this case, it's better to have a second car).

In this small cooperative, it is the women who perpetuate the tradition of basketry, which the Caribs would have transmitted to the new arrivals and then to the “neg mawons” who came to take refuge on the hills. To weave hats, baskets, trunks, carpets, handbags, placemats and jewelry, they use two typical fiber plants of the island: cachibou and aroman. Everything is done by hand: harvesting, drying and then meticulous weaving. Try to come in the morning to see them work and watch a demonstration of the weaving techniques.

The Habitation Beauséjour, skilfully preserved, is probably one of the most beautiful on the island. The estate is still structured as it was in its original form with the wooden mansion (1820), the entrance pavilion, the stone kitchen and the “case-à-nègres” street where the slaves were housed. The old distillery now houses the banana shed. A large water wheel is still preserved there. Since the post-war period, banana cultivation has replaced sugar cane and cocoa on the estate, which covers more than 50 hectares.

Until the middle of the 19^th century, the habitations Chéneaux, Macouba and Bellevue formed a single entity that produced a wonderful tobacco. Of the Habitation, only two pillars remain, which mark the limits of the former domain. The land once dedicated to the cultivation of pétun (tobacco) is now devoted to bananas. A nice hike leads to a hermitage of the time, named La maison du Moine, today a center for seismic measurements. Discover the ruins of the former mansion buried under the vegetation.