Sainte-Marie

Sainte-Marie, Cradle of Martinican Traditions!

Once called the "Capital of the Caribbean," Sainte-Marie was a town inhabited by the Caribs until the arrival of the colonists in 1658. Many archaeological remains have been found in the city, especially in the Lassalle and Petite Rivière Salée neighborhoods.

The Caribs used many natural resources from the territory in their way of life. For example, annatto was used for its mosquito repellent properties. Clay and certain trees allowed them to make pottery and basketry items. To feed themselves, they cultivated cassava and sweet potatoes and fished in the sea or river.

In 1658, they were driven away by the colonists and settled in the south of the island and in Dominica. Meanwhile, the new inhabitants of the region gathered around a fort called "Fort Sainte-Marie" in honor of the Virgin Mary.

In 1659, Fonds Saint-Jacques was granted in concession to the Dominican friars. But Father Boulogne received the property of Fonds Saint-Jacques as a gift from Madame la Gouverneure in recognition of his commitment to the French colonial troops.

The commune gradually developed around agriculture. In 1664, Piquet de la Calle even attempted to cultivate mulberries, sending the resulting silk to Colbert.

Father Labat played a significant role in establishing the reputation of the Fonds Saint-Jacques estate as it is known today. He was responsible for administering it from 1696 to 1705 and transformed it from a simple monastery into a sugar mill. A railway with a train was created to transport this sugar to the Galion factory located in Trinité and to facilitate its export by boats. This railway passed over the "tombolo" (sandbank) and crossed the islet before reaching its destination. Vestiges of this passage can still be seen on Sainte-Marie islet.

From 1730 to 1740, the commune experienced unprecedented prosperity until the English occupation from 1744 to 1782, which marked a decline in the island's economic activity.

In 1833, Sainte-Marie actively participated in the harvesting of slaves in Lorrain. The Grande-Anse affair resulted in the conviction of Jean-Baptiste Agricole, among others, considered a "leader."

After the abolition of slavery, new hamlets were created in Sainte-Marie. Bezaudin, for example, resulted from the division of lands owned by a duke of the same name between the Nèg Mawon (freed slaves) and the colonists.

Numerous social conflicts took place after the abolition of slavery in 1848, between the supporters of deputy Bissette and those of the pro-abolitionist Victor Schœlcher.

A few years later, a Samaritan would distinguish himself through his intelligence and political commitment: Joseph Lagrosillière. As a councilor, mayor of the city, and deputy of the 3rd district of the island, he ran against Aimé Césaire in the municipal elections of Fort-de-France in 1945.

Did you know?

Joseph Lagrosillière is the founder of socialism in Martinique, the socialist group of the Antilles, and the first agricultural union.

URBANISM

The commune which has 3 flowers at the label “Villes et villages fleuris”, is very well served.

Member of the agglomeration community Cap Nord, of which the mayor is president, Sainte-Marie can be reached through lines 21, 22 and 25 of the Martinique Transport network.

Collective taxis also allow inhabitants of the districts to go to the village.

Furthermore, Sainte-Marie is crossed by National Route 1 from north to south.

Departmental Road 15, a little further to the west, also allows one to travel from Trinité to Marigot via Morne-des-Esses.

Finally, departmental roads 23, 24 and 25 allow one to reach the town of Sainte-Marie from Pain de sucre, Bezaudin and Morne-des-Esses.

GEOGRAPHY of this Northern Martinique commune

The municipality, bordered by the sea to the east, is surrounded by Marigot to the north, Trinité to the south, and Gros-Morne to the west.

It is made up of 14 districts spread over 44.55 km².

No fewer than 15,400 inhabitants live there, a large part of them in Morne-des-Esses.

The inhabitants of this relatively independent village are called the Essimornaises.

Regarding the relief of the municipality, it is rather hilly, with plains such as the village.

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the municipality benefits from some natural coves, relatively wild but very appreciated.

POLITICS

Proud Samaritans of their choice!

The mayor of Sainte-Marie is Bruno Nestor Azérot, elected since 2008.

In 2017, he was elected as a deputy, but due to the law on the cumulation of mandates, he was not allowed to carry out both at the same time.

He therefore decided first of all to keep his place as a deputy while sitting on the municipal council of the municipality.

Six months later, due to a flurry of problems within the city council, it was dissolved. Bruno Nestor Azérot therefore chose to abandon his post as a deputy in order to focus primarily on the well-being and needs of the Samaritans.

Following additional municipal elections which he won, he regained his post as mayor in 2018.

YOUTH

The schools in the city of Sainte-Marie generally have the particularity of bearing the name of a personality who worked for the municipality and/or for Martinique.

Sainte-Marie houses:

– 3 kindergartens: Allamandas, Bouton d’Or, Pauline Nogard

– 5 elementary schools: Rodolphe Richer, Henri Guédon, Félix Lorne, François Grosy, Marcel Cassildé

– Five primary schools: Les Jacquiers, École Primaire de Reculée, Yvette Hilarus, Euloge Astar, Jérôme Mercan.

– Three middle schools: Joseph Lagrosillière, Emmanuel Saldès, Collège du Morne-des-Esses.

– One high school: Lycée Nord Atlantique (LNA).

CULTURE

What to do in Sainte-Marie, day and night?

Escape in Nature

Sainte-Marie is a place where cultural activities and traditions blend together:

• Surfing
• Beaches
• Source Marie Déau
• The 3 Sources
• Forest Hike and Picnic
• Visit the tombolo of Sainte-Marie
• Fond Saint-Jacques Habitation
• House of Bèlè
• Vannerie du Morne-des-Esses
• Pointe Lahoussaye – Anse Dufour
• Distillery Saint-James
• Habitation Roro
• Fishing with the Senne tell

the History of Sainte-Marie through stone

In terms of architecture, whether religious or cultural monuments, the history of Martinique has left us imprints of the past.

In the religious monuments category, there are in Sainte-Marie:

• Notre-Dame de l’Assomption Church
• Saint-Paul Church

In the museum category, there are in Sainte-Marie:

• Virgin of the Sailors
• Rum Museum
• Banana Museum
• The Lime Kiln of Anse Azérot
• Habitation Lassalle

In the culture and entertainment category, you will find in Sainte-Marie :

• the Pitt Casérus