On the island of Basse-Terre, in the hills of the Vieux-Habitants municipality in the Grande Rivière valley, one of the most beautiful in Guadeloupe, lies the Habitation La Grivelière, an old plantation dating from colonial times which can be reached by travelling along a steep little mountain road. A historically important site, the Habitation La Grivelière, which was named in 1843 by its new owner, Auguste Périollat, has been used for various agricultural purposes since the end of the 18th century, including the production of coffee, cocoa and annatto.
Nestling in verdant surroundings, this estate of almost 90 hectares, a listed Historic Monument since 1987, includes a manor house, coffee-roasting shed, two hulling mills and a polishing shed. Now completely restored, these buildings offer a chance to learn all about the agriculture of yesteryear on a guided tour. This very interesting tour is also an opportunity to take a little stroll in the beautiful Creole garden, where coffee bushes, cocoa trees and vanilla trees grow, learn more about the skills involved in coffee and cocoa production, and then enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate to round it all off!
