Things to see and do Diamonds

Fifteen statues look out over the sea and the Diamond Rock, their shoulders slumped and their gaze lost. This monumental triangle-shaped ensemble (evoking the triangular trade) was created in 1991 by the sculptor Laurent Valère for the 150^th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. It evokes the shipwreck of a slave ship in 1830 off the baie du Diamant. The chained slaves could not escape, and the survivors were sent to prison…

This beautiful baroque building, inaugurated in 1829 and classified as a historical monument, is particularly striking because of its location: immaculately white, the church faces the sea and Le Diamant with its breaking waves that slap against the beach. The church has been renovated many times and destroyed by natural disasters, but it has a splendid frame, rebuilt in 1983 by the Compagnons de France, in the manner of an overturned ship's hull. Made in France, it was dismantled and reassembled on the church in 1983.

Morne Larcher is the moving, discreet, unalterable guardian of the baie du Diamant. Eliminated, tired, gnawed, it seems quite fragile from the heights of the commune, before descending towards the city center. It is perched in the distance, always present in the corner of the eye, but it often fades away in the face of the effervescence that agitates the long sandy spit of the beach at Le Diamant. And yet, a few kilometers further, at the foot of the colossus, it is the inversion of the standards: one feels tiny, in front of the trace which snakes and clings to the morne until its summit (402 meters). Morne Larcher is an ancient volcano, now extinct.

From there, you have two options: rest on the beach of Anse Cafard, in the protective shade of the Larcher, or climb the mountain. In the second case, bring plenty of water and good shoes: the climb is short but intense, accentuated by the heat, the humidity and the sometimes very uneven or steep path. After an hour's effort, you will have a breathtaking view of the whole of Le Diamant and the south of the island. You may be disheveled by a razor-sharp paraglider, but you will always be happy with this unique spot! The descent can be done on the side of Anses d'Arlet, on less perched, but a little rockier path. Count then 4 km of coastal laces to find the starting point at Anse Caffard. Another solution can be to come with two vehicles.

This simple museographic space traces the history of the city of Le Diamant through the collection (built between 1958 and 1998) of a former priest, Bernard David, who bequeathed his collection of pre-Columbian archaeological objects and his documentary holdings to the municipality after spending thirty years of his life in Le Diamant. An interesting visit for art and history lovers. Very friendly reception. A small museum which has its charm.

At the bend in the road between Le Diamant to Anses d'Arlet, take the time to dive into the story of Médard Aribot, a talented sculptor and convict in his time. Upon his return from French Guiana, he fell in love with this piece of land perched above the water, in the shadow of Morne Larcher and erected a small house of terribly reduced proportions. He spent the rest of his life sculpting, decorating and living in it before silently disappearing in 1973. Despite restoration campaigns, the house is threatened by time and vandalism.

When the colonial past of the region is evoked, it is the “Maison du Gaoulé” that springs to mind: dissatisfied with the “royal commercial executive" - the obligation to trade with France - the inhabitants organized the first open rebellion against metropolitan tutelage in 1717. After a meal served in the house of Gaoulé, in the O'Mullane district, the planters kidnapped Governor La Varenne and Intendant Ricouart, representatives of King Louis XV.