The Ecomuseum of Martinique

A museum built in a former distillery

Since 1993, the small town of Rivière-Pilote has been home to the fascinating Ecomuseum of Martinique. Located in Pointe Figuier, a few metres from a white sandy beach, this regional establishment is housed in the former Ducanet distillery, which ceased its activity in the 1920s.

On two floors, visitors are invited to go back in time to discover the great periods of Martinique. Witness of the Amerindian heritage and the cultural diversity of the West Indies, the museum is an exciting journey into the past. Dive into the key periods of the island. Get to know its first inhabitants. Relive the arrival of the settlers. Immerse yourself in the daily life of the ancestors. The visit promises to be rich and exciting.

The History of Martinique, between colonization...

Through an abundant collection of objects, reconstructions and models, this charming Ecomuseum of Martinique traces the history of the Flower Island, from its first inhabitants to its colonial past, through the dark period of slavery it went through.

As soon as you arrive in the Ecomuseum of Martinique, on the ground floor, you will discover the beginnings of colonization, with the importance of the colonial culture in the construction of the country. Throughout the visit, many themes will be explored for a better knowledge of the history of the Caribbean.

... and slavery

The period of slavery, which had a profound effect on the country, is also dealt with in the Ecomuseum. Martinique became French in the 17th century and the first slaves arrived at that time, after Louis XIII, King of France, authorized the slave trade. Thousands of slaves arrived at the island to work in the sugar cane plantations.

Ecomuseum of Martinique: in the footsteps of the Amerindians

Full of history, the Ecomuseum of Martinique is also known for having sheltered the vestiges of an Amerindian tribe. You will be able to discover this collection of objects during your visit of the establishment.

Present in the Amazon, in the whole of the Greater Antilles, but also in the Bahamas, the Arawaks were the first inhabitants of Martinique. Living from fishing, gathering and agriculture, these Indians settled near the Mount Pelee. Their chief, Pilote, lived where the Ecomuseum is located today.

Discovering local traditions

Agriculture and Creole crafts are also at the heart of the Caribbean Garden. Let's not forget that the Flower Island is above all known throughout the world for its sugar cane, coffee and cocoa plantations and its immense banana plantations.
On the first floor, you will discover ancestral traditions, such as local crafts. You will plunge into the Martinique of the 1950s thanks to the reconstitution of a cabinetmaker's and basket maker's workshop.

Ecomuseum of Martinique: prepare your visit

Open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (and on Sundays from 9:00 a.m.), this enriching Ecomuseum de la Martinique welcomes an average of more than 10,000 visitors per year. Fun and family-oriented, it approaches the history of the island with a lot of pedagogy.

After visiting the Ecomuseum, take the opportunity to continue your walk on the paradise beach Anse Figuier. With its fine sand and coconut trees, it offers an exceptional view of the Diamond Rock!