Les Anses-d’Arlet

HISTORY of the Les Anses d'Arlet Municipality

The village of Les Anses-d'Arlet gets its eponymous name from the chief of the Carib Indians who lived there in the 17th century.

Upon the arrival of European colonists in 1635, they had to flee to the southern part of the island to seek shelter. They decided to settle in a remote seaside location in the southwest.

To sustain themselves, the Carib Indians primarily engaged in fishing.

Gradually, the Europeans took control of the entire Martinique, and slavery spread across the territory.

Les Anses-d'Arlet, being a volcanic region, enjoyed an ideal climate for agriculture, particularly the cultivation of tobacco, which was smoked at the court of King Louis XIV.

Lent was quite arid in the region. That's why the inhabitants came up with the ingenious idea of building around thirty wells to combat drought.

These wells disappeared with the arrival of running water.

The Strategic Role of Les Anses

Les Anses d'Arlet has long served as a refueling point for European ships en route to the Americas and the Caribbean. They would stock up on supplies and make repairs here.

Furthermore, during the Franco-English wars, English ships would arrive through the bays to attack Fort-de-France.

Finally, let's take a quick look at the Saint-Henri Church. Built in 1671, it was destroyed in 1762 as a result of a military operation led by the British.

The church, located facing the town's pontoon, was subsequently rebuilt thanks to Mr. Henri Larcher, who gave it his name.

URBANISM

To reach Les Anses-d'Arlet in Martinique from the municipality of Le Diamant in Martinique, you can take the departmental roads 7 and 37 or road 38 from Les Trois-Îlets.

Furthermore, the municipality is served by lines 2 and Ea of the South Lib public transportation network.

Do you know this?

The main alley in the town, "L'allée des Arlésiens," is famous for its colorful houses. These colonial-style houses were actually former Béké residences!

GEOGRAPHY of this Southern Martinique Municipality

The village of Les Anses-d'Arlet is located on the southwestern tip of Martinique.

Bordering the Caribbean Sea, it has 5 coves: Anse Dufour, Grande Anse, Petite Anse, Anse Noire, and Anse d’Arlet bourg.

Les Anses-d'Arlet boast an exceptional marine diversity. In its crystal-clear waters, balao fish, turtles, and various other fish species swim in harmony!

Note: It is the only municipality in the south to have a black sand beach, Anse Noire.

Located in a volcanic region, the inhabitants must adapt to two very different climates:

• Along the coast, there is a rather dry and hot climate.
• Inland, within the forested areas, the climate is more humid, windy, and cool.

POLITICS

The Trust of the Arlésiens

Mr. Eugène Larcher has been the mayor of the charming village of Les Anses-d'Arlet for nearly 23 years.

During his tenure, he also served as the president of the community of municipalities "Espace Sud" to which his municipality belongs, from 2008 to 2020.

YOUTH

The municipality has 4 elementary schools: 2 primary and 2 preschools.

It does not have a high school but has a middle school.

To continue their education, students go to neighboring municipalities.

CULTURE

What to Do in Les Anses-d'Arlet, Day and Night?

Nature Escape

There are numerous activities between sea and land in Les Anses-d'Arlet.

At the foot of Morne Jacqueline, there is a spring called "Dlo férré," with water that reaches around 35.5°C. This water actually comes from a deeper reservoir where the temperature is 180°C.

• Dlo férré
• Paddleboarding
• Sailing
• Bat cave
• Snorkeling
• Point Y
• Underwater vision boat
• Scuba diving
• Hiking to Morne-Larcher and Morne-Champagne
• Swimming in the numerous coves

The History of Les Anses d'Arlet Through Stone

In terms of architecture, whether it's religious or cultural monuments, the history of Martinique has left us with traces of the past.

In the category of religious monuments, you can find:

• Saint-Henri Church

In the category of museums and mythical buildings, you can find:

• The fish market
• Habitation La Sucrerie

In the category of culture and entertainment, you can find:

• Sunday morning Mass in Creole
• Senne net fishing

Designation as "Historical Monument" or "20th Century Heritage"

Many buildings, including those mentioned above, are protected by designations such as "Historical Monument" or "20th Century Heritage."

IN SUMMARY

A little piece of paradise, Les Anses-d'Arlet attracts a large number of tourists and locals throughout the year.

This authentic village, largely sustained by fishing and tourism, must still preserve its resources as they are not inexhaustible and can deteriorate very quickly.

However, the decision to open its doors to the world and reveal another side of Martinique has paid off for the municipality, which shines both locally and internationally.

Quiet, simple, warm, and very welcoming, this small piece of land has the power to make many dream.