The Banana in all its states You all know the banana, this omnipresent fruit in the shelves of our supermarkets. But you are far from imagining the taste of the real banana as it is grown under the sun of Martinique and consumed on site. To discover its flavours and experience about sixty varieties, visit the Banana Museum.
What is the Banana Museum Martinique?
Located in the north of the island on the territory of Sainte-Marie, the Banana Museum is housed in the Limbe estate, which has been active since 1996. An "habitation" is an agricultural estate in Martinique, inherited from the old plantations.
In the main building, you will discover the history of bananas, their origins, evolution, trade, as well as interesting information about their nutritional qualities.
More than just food, bananas have also become a genuine cultural object, represented in both visual and performing arts. A visit to the Banana Museum is not only a culinary experience, but also a cultural and artistic awakening.
After the permanent indoor exhibition, the tour will take you through the garden where these precious fruits are cultivated, all surrounded by lush vegetation adorned with colorful flowers.
More Explanation About the Banana Plant
The banana plant, known scientifically as Musa, is a fascinating plant that, despite resembling a tree, is actually a herbaceous plant in the Musaceae family. This distinction is due to the absence of a true trunk in the banana plant. Instead, it has a stipe, similar to palm trees, which is a stack of leaf sheaths. These sheaths accumulate to form a sturdy structure that can reach an impressive height of up to 9 meters, depending on the variety.
Banana leaves are remarkable not only for their size – they can measure up to three meters long and 60 centimeters wide – but also for their ability to capture enough light even in the shaded areas of the tropical forest. After producing between 25 and 30 of these large leaves, a floral bud emerges at the heart of the plant, developing into a bunch of bananas. This bunch, which is harvested about three months after flowering, consists of several "hands" of bananas. Each hand is composed of a series of spirally arranged spathes, bearing female flowers at the base and male flowers at the tip. Surprisingly, once the banana plant has borne its single bunch, it dies, having completed its life cycle. However, thanks to its underground stem, resembling a large bulb, the plant can regrow, perpetuating the magic of the banana plant.
What are the museums of Martinique
Banana Museum Sainte Marie: Time for Tasting
The visit, which has taken on a natural and relaxing character in the garden, concludes with a stop at the Bananeraie. This is a restaurant where, after sipping a tropical fruit cocktail, you can savor Creole specialties based on bananas.
But if you don't have the time, don't worry, the museum's shop offers not only souvenirs but also a variety of banana-related products. This way, you can extend the experience and even share it with your loved ones who didn't have the opportunity to discover Martinique.
Practical Information about the Museum
Nestled in the Fourniols neighborhood in 97230 Sainte-Marie, this museum is open from Sunday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission fees are 8 euros for adults and 5 euros for children. If you would like to contact the museum for more information or to arrange a visit, please feel free to call at 0596 76 27 09. For an even more memorable experience, we recommend taking the Plantation Train. This picturesque ride takes you over a distance of 2.8 kilometers through sugar cane fields and banana plantations, providing a complete immersion into the Martinican agricultural landscape.
Moreover, for rum and history enthusiasts, the museum is conveniently located near Habitation La Salle and the Saint James Distillery, two must-visit attractions in the region. Come and enjoy an enriching and flavorful experience at the Banana Museum!
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