Nice good morning from Grand'Rivière !
Grand’Rivière nowadays
Airlocal welcomes you to Grand’Rivière, nicknamed the “commune at the end of the world” because of its location at the extreme north of Martinique.
This commune of 610 inhabitants is the least populated of Martinique, but just as welcoming as the more populated ones.
Known mostly for its Great River and the Basin of Men, the good meals from Aunt Arlette’s, but also its hikes in the heart of lush vegetation, this municipality has many secrets to reveal to us.
History of the municipality of GRAND RIVIERE
It all began in the late 17th century.
The Jesuits decide to install a chapel.
Father Labat, who resided at that time at Macouba at the Potiche Habitation, declared: “We went to attend Mass at a small chapel which is on the other side of the Grand’Rivière. The Jesuit Father of the Preacher comes to say Mass two or three times a year.”
Following the colonial decree of June 12, 1837, Grand’Rivière, Macouba and Basse-Pointe will form the “Commune du nord”.
This latter will be dissolved in 1945 when Macouba will be erected into a commune.
From then on, Grand’Rivière will depend on this latter until 1888, the date on which it will become an independent commune.
His departure will still require the creation of a gendarmerie post in 1852 by Rear-Admiral Vaillant, who was at the time the Governor of Martinique.
The first mayor of the commune was Théophile-Anatole Rémilien, designated on May 20, 1888.
June 25, 1940, marked the history of Grand’Rivière and of all of Martinique, as it passed under the administration of Admiral Robert !
The municipality will become one of the hubs of Martinique resistance.
In 1942, a representative of Admiral Robert and Archbishop Mgr Varin de la Brunelière arrive in Grand’Rivière with the aim of changing the republican flags with crosses.
The Riverains, however, are not at all of this opinion !
This situation triggers many confrontations between Admiral Robert’s supporters and the rest of the population.
The municipality Grand Riviere Martinique will be considered a “resistance community” throughout this period.
It will be used as a hub by the Martinicans for all kinds of trafficking, whether to join the allies, for commerce or the black market.
The altercations between smugglers and customs officers were becoming more and more numerous, to the point that Admiral Robert decided to create a customs post charged with regulating the shipments and receptions of goods.
URBANISM
The N1 is the only road to take to get to Grand’Rivière.
Member of the Cap Nord agglomeration community, the municipality is served by the lines 21, 22 and 26 of the Martinique Transport public transport network.
Un point fort ? However, a hiking trail allows to link Grand’Rivière and the Preacher.
This very pleasant hike allows to discover wonderful hidden spots in the heart of a lush and relatively dense vegetation.
Located in the heights, this path offers an unparalleled view of the municipality, Martinique but also of Dominica, located to the north of our island.
GEOGRAPHY of this municipality in the North of Martinique
Grand’Rivière is located in a valley in the extreme north of Martinique.
To the north of the 16.6 km2 municipality, we find the famous 35 km wide Dominica Channel.
To the east, the boundaries of the municipality are outlined by the Potiche River, above which is the famous green metal bridge.
This 67 meter long and 5.7 meter high bridge is the longest and highest in Martinique.
Finally, to the west is Anse Couleuvre.
POLITICS
The Residents are relatively loyal to their political conviction.
Since 2020, Jean-Louis Marie-Louise has held the position of Mayor of this municipality.
YOUTH
Education is sharing above all ! Grand’Rivière being a small municipality, it only has one primary school and one nursery school.
In order to continue their schooling, the students go to the neighboring towns.
CULTURE
What to do in Grand'Rivière during the day and night?
Nature Escape Activities in Grand'Rivière are primarily water-based. It's interesting to:
• Visit the waterfalls at Trois-Bras and Couleuvre • Go canyoning • Take a swim in the river (Grande Rivière) • Go hiking, including the short trail from Fond Moulin to Sinaï Beach or the more significant one from Grand'Rivière to Prêcheur • Surf the Bagasse wave during swells
The History of Grand'Rivière Through Stone
In terms of architecture, whether religious or cultural monuments, Martinique's history has left us with imprints from the past.
In the category of religious monuments, Grand'Rivière boasts:
- Its Church, Sainte-Catherine
- The statue of the Virgin of the Sailors
In the category of museums and mythical buildings, you'll find:
- The port of Grand'Rivière
- The famous metal bridge
- The Malakoff estate
- The Beauséjour estate
- The Fond Moulin estate
Some buildings bear designations such as "historical monument" or "20th-century heritage."
For example, this is the case with:
- The Church of Sainte-Catherine of Alexandria
IN SUMMARY Grand'Rivière is a relatively young municipality in our Martinique but brimming with resources.
While these resources are underutilized for recreational, cultural, and educational purposes, they are nonetheless easily accessible and enjoyable once you delve into them.
Set back from urban spaces, the municipality remains an ideal place to take in a breath of fresh air or recharge at any time of the year!
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