Stretching along the Atlantic coast of Martinique, the town of Sainte-Marie, founded in 1658 by the Dominicans, has many tourist attractions. Its pleasant seafront faces the Sainte-Mary islet, to which it is connected by a tombolo, a natural sandbank created by marine currents and accessible on foot for only a few months of the year, from December to April.
Here in Sainte-Marie you'll find the famous Saint-James distillery, whose rum is world-renowned. Open to the public, the estate has a wonderful rum museum based in an old 19th-century colonial house. A magnificent place where you can not only find out more about the history of cane juice rum through an exhibition of photographs, engravings, posters and tools, but also take the opportunity to taste the famous Antillean rum. At the distillation centre founded in 2010, there are various pieces of equipment on display, ranging from a Charentais still to distilling columns, so you can familiarise yourself with the art of distilling. During the harvest period from March to June, you can also take a guided tour and see the distillery machines in operation. To fully appreciate the charm of the place, you can also take the scenic plantation train, departing from the rum factory. On the way to the Banana Museum, it will take you through peaceful sugar cane fields and banana groves.
The ideal way to learn all about the famous exotic fruit, the Banana Museum, based in an old building on the Limbé plantation, welcomes visitors with a permanent exhibition about the banana's history, botany and cultivation. Take a stroll around the verdant park, dotted with many banana tree varieties, to round off your visit in a most enjoyable way.
Sainte-Marie's territory also includes the Fonds Saint-Jacques habitation. Built in 1658, this former monastery was the house of Father Labat, a Dominican missionary who developed a new type of still to distil rum following the Cognac method. This site has since been renovated and is now a listed Historic Monument and cultural meeting centre.
| Opening times | Monday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Tuesday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Thursday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Friday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Saturday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM • Sunday: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM |
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| Address | 7 Voie Communale de Bezaudin, Sainte-Marie |
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| Telephone | +33 5 96 69 50 37 |
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| Official site | www.rhum-saintjames.com |
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French commune, Sainte-Marie takes place in the Antilles, in the north-east of the island of Martinique, on the Atlantic coast. With a population of more than 18,000, it seduces by its seafront, as well as by the generosity of its inhabitants.
Originally a small village of Caribbean Indians of the Cabesterre, the commune of Sainte-Marie as it is known was founded by Dominicans in 1658. The original inhabitants, hunted during the settlement of the new settlers, however, their activity of basketry which continues to make the fame of the city. Still today large agricultural town, Sainte-Marie has been known for several centuries for its production of sugar cane. The latter has earned him the installation on his territory of one of the world's most famous rum distilleries, the Saint-James distillery.
Very touristic, Saint-James has developed a green tourism, through the development of many hiking trails, and preserve its architectural and historical heritage which is all its charm.
The Saint-James distillery is surely the most visited tourist site of Sainte-Marie. Founded in the 18th century, it is now open to the public, unveiling its many secrets of manufacture. A rum museum was also set up in a former 19th century colonial mansion, recounting the history of agricultural rum through exhibitions of photographs, prints, posters or old tools. Between March and June, during the harvest period, it is also possible to discover distilleries in working order. At the start of the rumery, a train of the plantations makes it possible to discover the fields of sugar cane and banana, and leads in particular to the museum of the banana.
Set in an old building of the Limbé dwelling, the latter unveils a permanent exhibition retracing the history and culture of this exotic fruit. Tastings are also possible at the reception of the museum.
Built in the middle of the 17th century, the Fonds Saint-Jacques dwelling is a former Dominican monastery until the beginning of the 18th century. Also home to Father Labat, founder of Saint-James rumery, it was the theater of the invention of a new type of alembic allowing to distill according to the Cognac method. The building now serves as a cultural and exhibition center.
From December to May, it is possible to discover in Sainte-Marie a real natural curiosity. The tombolo of the islet Sainte-Marie is indeed a phenomenon of sandbank created by the sea currents and which allows to reach the islet from Martinique, on foot.
Be sure to visit the Bèlè house, an initiation center for traditional dance, with demonstrations and lively singing and dancing performances.
Take a break in front of the war memorial located in the basement leading to the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church, it is classified as a Historic Monument. The church, built in the second half of the 19th century, is also a must see of Sainte-Marie. Erected in honor of the Blessed Virgin, as evidenced by its white and blue colors, it stands on the top of a monumental staircase.
