Lamentin

A few kilometers from Fort-de-France, in the center of Martinique, the Lamentin, or the town of the sirens, is a city steeped in history. Its origins date back to the 17th century, a golden era for the commune. Discover in this article practical information to discover the town.

The population distribution varies considerably on the island, but the densest settlement area is the Lamentin, while some areas in the north of the island are almost uninhabited. The largest city on the island is home to the large port center, built by Father Labat, who was thinking of making the Lamentin the capital of Martinique. Since 1960, Lamentin has rapidly developed industrially with the inauguration of important industrial zones. It is now home to more than 3,000 companies with various sectors of activity.

Always related to the history of the Lamentin, the church Saint-Laurent de Lamentin is one of the most important emblematic places. Its decoration and current appearance dates back to the 19th and 20th centuries.

The presence of manatees, herbivorous aquatic mammals, now extinct, is at the origin of its name. The hunting activity by Amerindians and Europeans of the village of Lamentin caused the disappearance of these mammals. Thus, the town hall of the city has installed a statue representing manatees in front of its building. The economy of the Lamentin is mainly based on the production of sugar. To this day, the city retains its position as the economic heart of Martinique.