The Chapel of the Virgin of the Seamen

How to Get to the Chapel of the Virgin of the Sailors

For Sunday hikers or those fond of trekking, the awaiting program will surely delight you. The Chapel of the Virgin of the Sailors can be reached from three points:

• From Petite Anse Macabou and Grande Anse Macabou beaches heading towards Cap Macré (Trace des Caps).
• Conversely, from Cap Macré beach towards Grande Anse Macabou and Petite Anse Macabou beaches (Trace des Caps).
• Starting from Cap de Beauchêne parking lot, following three possible routes: Trace des Caps, Boucle Marie-Catherine, or Boucle des Mornes.

The Chapel of the Virgin of the Sailors is recognizable by the large white cross placed to its left. Once there, enjoy the scenery: the greenery of the vegetation, the sun-baked yellow grass, and the beautiful blue and white hues of the sky and ocean.

Facing the Atlantic, behold from this vantage point:

• Grande Anse Macabou and Etang Massel on the left. Etang Massel spans approximately 12 hectares and connects the towns of Vauclin and Marin.
• Anse Grosse Roche on the right.

The History of the Chapel of the Virgin of the Sailors

The Chapel of the Virgin, a pilgrimage site, especially during the Easter period, overlooks what used to be an old sugar plantation in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Before becoming a religious building, nestled on a volcanic rock promontory, the structure served as a powder magazine. With its excellent geographical location offering a panoramic view and sturdy masonry, the military recognized this place as an ideal strategic position.

Gradually, locals took possession of the site, transforming this monument into a place of worship and contemplation, renaming it the Chapel of Our Lady of the Roses.

Via Dolorosa, meditation, yoga… The Chapel of the Virgin of the Sailors and its surroundings are appreciated by locals who take care of the site (maintenance, painting, candles, buildings, etc.).

It was the locals who placed the enormous white cross to the left of the Chapel of the Virgin of the Sailors.

The Chapel of the Virgin of the Sailors: A Protected Site Since 1982

The Grand Macabou Estate belonged to the Rothschild family. They recognized the immense potential of this natural space mainly composed of bwa ti baume (local vegetation) and cacti. Their hotel construction project was halted by the local environmental protection association, leading them to cede the area to the Coastal Conservatory in 1982. Since then, it has been a protected area of Martinique's heritage, open to the public.

In 2001, extensive restoration work was undertaken by the Conservatory, led by the Architect of Historic Monuments and supported by the Ministry of Culture. Despite these rehabilitation efforts, the site is highly exposed to weather conditions (erosion, joint disappearance, etc.). For these evident reasons, locals organize themselves, on their scale, to maintain the site.