Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Martinique

Five kilometers north of Saint-Pierre, a sign indicates the direction to this enormous rock. Legend has it that the valiant Caribbean chiefs preferred to throw themselves off this cliff, after swallowing a violent poison, rather than be enslaved by the French colonists. No one knows if this legend is true, leaving only large engraved rocks that can still be deciphered. Nevertheless, it is here that Native Indian memory is regularly honored by certain independence groups.

Dillon changes its identity to Maison Dillon. The Dillon brand has been part of Martinique's history and heritage since 1779. The distillery grows its own sugar cane to produce its wide range of quality rums. Its rich saga includes rhums vieux, rhums blancs, punches and cane syrups. Now closed to the public, the industrial site continues to produce, developing its recipes and know-how away from the public eye. Visit our online boutique for a unique selection of exceptional rums.

Sainte-Luce remains one of the most authentic cities on the island. To discover it, there is nothing like a morning stroll along the boulevard Kennedy which follows the sea, at the time when the first stalls of the covered market are set up and when the fishermen return to the port with their daily catch. The many cafés and restaurants come alive later in the evening. After the market, continue towards rue Schoelcher to go to the Sainte-Luce church, surrounded by old houses, and then return via the town hall.

Shortly after the cane house, on the road leading to the town of Trois-Ilets, the Vatable forest is a nice place for a shady and family walk to change from the beach and discover the mangrove. Along the path (which makes a loop of one hour), you will come across a wooden pontoon for those who would like to try to swim in the mangrove, picnic tables, an amphitheater decorated with enameled lava, and especially magnificent views of the mangrove and the bay of Fort-de-France. Departure for kayak rides as well.

Also known as the Salle de la Comédie, the theater of Saint-Pierre used to be, during the 18^th century, a famous stage in the West Indies where renowned troupes performed. It hosted the most popular plays of the time such as The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and Le Déserteur by Michel-Jean Sedaine. Like the rest of the city, the theater was swept away by the disaster of 1902. Its ruins are now relatively well-preserved and attract many visits. A very nice walk with the Montagne Pelée in the background.

Settled in the renovated buildings of the old Vatable distillery in Trois-Ilets, the Maison de la Canne offers a broad panorama of the multiple and complex relationships that have been established between: land, plant, people. The site recounts the main events of the history of sugar cane, (Saccharum officinarum, a plant of the grass family), from the steam engine, from the mill to the slave ship, until the cutting of the cane around 1900. Through documents, models, and engravings of the period, more than three centuries of sugar economy from the late 17^th to the 20^th century in Martinique are told. This is an opportunity to revisit this large reed originating from Asia, which very early on interested farmers for its ability to store sucrose in its stems through the process of photosynthesis. Once harvested and then crushed in large mills, the cane yields a liquid, the vesou, which is transformed into sugar after crystallization, or into rum after distillation. From the planting of the cane to the manufacture of rum, through the extraction of sugar, all stages are faithfully described. The history of sugar cane is also directly linked to the history of colonization and slavery: particularly demanding in terms of labor, the cultivation of sugar cane in the colonies led to the massive deportation of people from Africa to cover the needs of the farms. Do not leave without having read the Code Noir.

La Favorite is one of the island's last two family-run distilleries, and the last to still operate the traditional steam engine! In 2022, the distillery celebrated its ^180th harvest, bringing out a whole new range of original cuvées! Set amidst sixty-two hectares of sugar cane, the emblematic distillery, founded in 1842, produces around 500,000 liters of pure cane juice rum every year between February and June, using traditional, artisanal methods and its 1906 steam engine. Our white rums (Rivière Bel Air, Digue...), aged rums (the famous Flibuste, Réserve du Château or Privilège pour Lulu) and "hors d'âge" rums, which regularly win awards at national and international tasting competitions, delight the palates of connoisseurs the world over.

The distillery is open to the public, so you can stroll around at your leisure, meet the farm workers on site, and discover the secrets behind the crafting of this agricultural rum in the purest tradition. Here, the cane is still cut by hand, and crushed using the energy produced by the original steam engines. The visit, which we highly recommend if you're a lover of authenticity, ends with the tasting room and the boutique dedicated to the sale of these exceptional rums. The history of the estate and its owners is presented. Prepare to be drawn in by the scent of vanilla, roasted coffee and rum, while the sound of the machines will take you back 100 years.

Dare to take the red brick road, and you will land in another era, that of a village where dozens of men and women work. The Village de la Poterie is an authentic village, that was once inhabited, a unique place which gathers in the same site 45 different workshops and trades: a brick factory and craftsmen potters dating from the 18^thcentury, craftsmen and designers (furniture, fashion, decoration, soaps…), artists (jewelers, painters), souvenir stores and local products (chocolates) and some restaurants.

Just 2 kilometers from the town, Anse-Corps-de-Garde is one of Sainte-Luce's largest beaches. This blond-sand beach, dotted with coconut palms and offering lovely shaded areas, is ideal for families. The waters are calm and clear. A nautical center offers kayaks and paddles for hire. You'll find plenty of snacks, lolos and restaurants nearby. Watch out for the mancenillia at the end of the beach! On the other hand, if you're looking for a bit of peace and quiet, you'll be happy to head for a more peaceful spot.

Nestled between the Mabouya and Fond-Banane coves, this picture-postcard white-sand beach stretches for several hundred meters. Its many shady spots make it an ideal spot for family picnics. Frequented by hotel guests, it remains relatively uncrowded. The waters are rather calm, but beware of the sometimes dubious cleanliness. Finally, for the little ones, a number of natural baths along the beach invite you to take a dip.

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.

Martinique's southernmost rum distillery. With the launch of Braud & Quennesson, the family of Martinique agricultural rums expands. The arrival of this new rum distillery marks the rebirth of an emblematic site: the old Le Marin factory, founded in 1866 by the Braud and Quennesson forefathers and closed since the 1970s. This exceptional site benefits from a unique terroir and a particularly warm, humid microclimate, which confers exceptional qualities on the rum: aroma, freshness and smoothness. According to cellar master Stéphanie Dufour, the cane has one of the highest sugar contents on the island. The house's positioning is resolutely upmarket: controlled productivity, quality work, few cuvées (4 round, gourmet whites: 59°, 59.2°, 55° and 50°). And this year, the range has been extended to include its first wood-aged rums, which, after 12 months' ageing in a combination of casks, are ready to reveal all their aromas. This site, steeped in history, boasts a beautiful boutique and a botanical garden planted with coffee, calabash, cheese and mango trees, making it a delight to stroll through. The ruins of the old sugar factory are still clearly visible. Cane is currently distilled at the Simon dwelling, but the De Gentile family, who are at the head of the project, hope to launch their own distillery in a few years' time. A must-see!

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.

A relic of the architecture of the first settlers, this building is probably older than the village church. It may have been part of a sugar mill in Case-Pilote at the very beginning of the 17^th century. The present private residence mentioned at the end of the 18^th century includes a main house and its outbuildings with stables, a chapel, and even a dungeon. Now classified as a historical monument, the house has undergone major renovations over the past few years, and is still undergoing major renovations that make it impossible to visit.

Just a few kilometers from Martinique's most beautiful beaches, take the D9 towards Sainte-Anne for around 3 km to climb the Piton Crève-Coeur. Turn off at Cap-Chevalier and drive for 1 km. Turn right for 2 km and follow the unpaved road to the ruins of an old sugar mill. Leave your car in the dedicated parking area. Piton Crève-Coeur is an ancient volcano (18 million years old...), much older than Montagne Pelée, which today rises to an altitude of 200 m and offers breathtaking views of southern Martinique. Your walk begins on the right, with a path that climbs up, passing by ancient ruins: the main house of the Habitation Crève-Coeur. You soon come to a fine viewpoint over the island's southern peninsula. Further on, still in the direction of Sainte-Anne, a string of small coves invites you to unfold your towel and recharge your batteries. Cap-Chevalier offers windsurfing and kayaking programs. Anse-Michel, Baie des Anglais and Les Salines, coves and sandy beaches, also boast a small commercial infrastructure (food stores, restaurants) and sports facilities (jet-skiing, windsurfing). Don't forget to bring sun protection, light clothing and plenty of water - the sun can be fierce, especially in the middle of the day! Allow an hour and a half round trip, with a difference in altitude of around 150 meters.

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.

The town of Le Marin is built on a hillside around the marina bay. A walk in the rue Duquesnay and rue Zola will allow you to contemplate some beautiful examples of Creole architecture from the beginning of the 20^th century. On the road to the south, don't hesitate to branch off and get lost in the narrow streets of the old town. On the seaside, you will let your steps lead you to the discovery of the ships at anchor, some of them particularly impressive, and the marina, very modern.

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.

A short but sporty hike… It starts on the small path that goes along the water treatment plant on the right. After a steep descent, you will cross a dark tunnel and will reach in twenty minutes a first waterfall. After crossing the river and following a narrow path, you will then reach a second crystal clear waterfall (another 20 minutes walk). Don't forget your bathing suit, a flashlight and especially your picnic! Not recommended for children under 8 years old because some passages are very steep.

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).

The old prison of Saint-Pierre is famous for having housed the dungeon of Cyparis, the “sole survivor” of the eruption of Mount Pelee. When the volcano erupted, Louis-Auguste Cyparis, who was imprisoned there for having attacked a fellow prisoner with a knife, was injured by the burning smoke from the volcano but thanks to his confinement, survived the catastrophe. He was found 3 days later by the rescuers of Morne-Rouge. Today, the dungeon, which is accessible to visitors, is one of the historical sites of the disaster.

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.

A few fathoms away from the village beach is an underwater path, among the most beautiful of Martinique, accessible to all with a simple mask and snorkel. You can spot it thanks to the four educational buoys placed in the sea to mark the path. This path, in the heart of a 2,600 m² site, aims to raise awareness of marine ecosystems that are an integral part of the island's natural heritage. An underwater trail, for the whole family, not to be missed.

One of the island's oldest distilleries. JM agricultural rums are one of Martinique's great vintages. In addition to a visit to the distillery, a stroll through the rum garden is a must. The walk begins in the cane garden, where you can discover the 3 varieties of hybrid cane selected for their quality and resistance to mechanical cutting: straw cane, blue cane and red cane. The garden features the typical square layout that once prevailed on cane plantations. The walk takes you past rich vegetation, the result of exceptionally fertile soil and a cross-fertilization of species. In the rum garden, flowers, aromatic plants, shrubs, lianas and tall trees embody the delicious scents that develop during the metamorphosis of sugar cane and the aging of rums.

As you make your way along the trail, you'll be immersed in the typical scents of JM rums. Coffee, cocoa, guava, pineapple, breadfruit, lemon, citron...: the trail blends indigenous plants, present before the arrival of the first settlers, with domesticated plants, brought by Amerindians, Europeans, Africans and then Indians. The spice garden (basil, lemongrass, ginger, pepper, chili, Indian wood, cinnamon, vanilla...) rubs shoulders with ornamental plants (lilies, gardenia, jasmine, datura, ylang-ylang...). At the end of this enchanting stroll, drop by the boutique for a tasting of the divine nectars produced on site.

Raymond Rijo has imagined a Creole garden where market gardening, fruit growing, aromatic and medicinal plants coexist: cocoa, guava, banana, sugar cane, allspice, calabash… and especially cassava, the star product of the farm. The farmer offers themed educational workshops, to learn how to fight against predators, to make compost or bamboo chimes and of course to make the famous cassava-based pancakes. A high place of conservation of the traditional know-how of Martinique to discover.

The Regional Natural Park of Martinique was born in 1976 from the desire to combine the economic development of the island with the preservation of its natural and cultural wealth. Since its creation, it has contributed to raising awareness of the link between nature and culture within the Martinican identity. The PNRM implements projects throughout the territory of the Park, which covers two thirds of the island, i.e. 32 municipalities. It intervenes in particular on :

- the diversification of the tourist offer in terms of green tourism, ecotourism and agritourism;

- the development of local products;

- the preservation of landscapes;

- raising awareness of respect for the environment and the need for eco-citizen behaviour;

- the animation and promotion of the territory;

- the protection of the land;

- the implementation of scientific studies on biodiversity ;

- training in environmental professions.

In this socio-educational agricultural farm, there is of course a "production" centre where vegetables, fruit, herbs and medicinal plants are produced, a "nature" centre which houses a leisure centre for children from 3 to 11 years old, all governed by the "transmission" centre and the "social" centre, the main thread of learning. Within this structure, early learning and games are combined with nature and animals to offer another way of learning, while having fun and, if possible, strengthening the bond between parents and children. In addition to their interventions throughout the year, the teams of the P'tite Ferme Eco propose during the holidays an airy centre that combines leisure, nature and learning. Workshops are organised around education on food, taste, the environment, Martinique's cultural heritage, but also self-respect and respect for others. Another way of seeing and understanding the world.

The Habitation Chalvet contributed greatly to the economic development of Basse-Pointe. It was one of the largest sugar factories on the island. Now dedicated to the cultivation of bananas, sugarcane and pineapples, it is the only house open to the public. The new owners organize guided tours to discover the history of the house, the banana, and to discover some secrets of the local medicinal plants. You can learn a lot about the past of the house and the remains of the slavery era. Very interesting.

This superb tropical estate extends over 75 hectares north of Sainte-Luce. The giant cheese maker is king on the edge of the marked trails: one of them even reaches 5.50 metres in circumference. The originality of the place lies in the presence of engraved rocks dating from the pre-Columbian period. The site was indeed one of the settlement sites of the Amerindians. The 900-metre Anoli trail and the 1.6-km Mongoose trail will take you to meet the plant and animal species of this mysterious forest.

Le François is an important and lively town, more authentic than touristic. There is no beach here… but you can guess the coral reef on which the waves break in the distance. Go for a walk to the fish market, where fishermen come to sell their goods that they cut up on the table, under metal shelters. In the town center, besides the church in front of the town hall, notice the huts lined up on Perrinon street: they were built by the workers of the central factory of Emile Bougenot.

If you continue along the seafront road, you will arrive at the end of the cove at a small fishing port, one of the typical places of the city. One can read on a sign: “No throwing away old cars”! An adage that unfortunately is not listened to nor followed to the letter…

Then go and contemplate the banana plantations, at the exit of Le François, which constitute a typical natural scenery. We follow the direction of Le Vauclin (12 km), then we turn to take the D16 towards Bois-Soldat. From the road, the panorama on the islets on one side and the mountain on the other is incomparable.

Finally, go have a look at La Frégate, an old colonial house in the small village called Bonnaire. Continue your journey to the Cap Est Lagoon Resort: the complex has a beach accessible to all, with white sand, with clear waters, ideal for families. It is the only beach in Le François. To swim in the turquoise waters, you will have to reach the famous islets of Le François and Le Robert.

From Le Lorrain to Grande-Rivière, the sugarcane and banana fields give way to the tropical forest, a real wild jungle. This stretch of the D10 is familiarly called “Route des Habitations” in memory of the sumptuous plantations that once stood there. Today, some of them are still visible but remain private: you must book an appointment or ask for permission from the local tourist offices for the Habitation Beauséjour in Grand-Rivière, the Habitations Perpigna and Chénaux in Macouba, and the Habitations Leyritz and Pécoul in Basse-Pointe.

Just before arriving in Saint-Pierre, a sign indicates their presence. Created by the Martinique artist Laurent Valère, Manman Dlo and Yémaya are two monumental mermaids that rest in the bay of Saint-Pierre at a depth of nine meters. They are located about fifty meters from the shore and their presence is indicated by a yellow buoy. Over the years, a reef has been created around them, and today they attract an important underwater fauna and flora. They are accessible to all and can be observed with a mask and a snorkel.