To all passionate about marine life or those who enjoy collecting shells and other crustaceans from the beach, here’s a good plan for you! If you have the opportunity to visit the Pottery Village in the commune of Trois-Îlets, take advantage of it to visit the Museum of Shells and the Sea and learn more about them.
Seashell and Sea Museum Martinique: The Beginnings of the Museum
This museum is the creation of a young collector named Mickaël. Originally from Marseille, he moved to Martinique with his family at the age of 9. In Martinique, he discovered many things, including numerous species of different seashells during his snorkeling sessions, which became a true passion for him. At the age of 16, he started his collection!
Passionate about marine life, determined, and self-taught, he opened the museum of his dreams in the town of Diamant in 2003, at the age of only 22. His goal? To share his passion with as many people as possible and raise awareness about the preservation and protection of the oceans and their riches!
His collection has continued to grow successfully over the past 20 years. Today, more than 2,000 different species of seashells from the Caribbean and around the world are displayed in an area of 150 m2, delighting thousands of visitors each year.
He also owns another museum, the Nature Museum, which is even richer in discoveries than the first one, in Quebec, where he has been residing since 2006. He delegated the management of the museum to his brother Fabien, who relocated it in 2017. The museum moved from Diamant to Trois-Îlets to accommodate more visitors.
To enrich his collection, Mickaël has traveled around the world, from the Philippines to Venezuela, passing through Thailand, and has met many other enthusiasts. He spends his weekends at sea with his family to find new seashells. Whether you are visiting with friends, family, your school, or fellow enthusiasts, you will undoubtedly be fascinated by the various specimens on display. Dive into a welcoming and captivating place where you can deepen your knowledge about starfish, tropical fish, crabs, and sea urchins.
Everything You Need to Know About Your Visit to the Seashell and Sea Museum
All the questions you've ever had about marine fauna and flora may find answers during your visit. Marine biodiversity is richer than terrestrial biodiversity, so the species are very diverse. In addition to seashells, sea urchins, conchs, lobsters, and crabs share the spotlight. You will also learn more about fishing methods, the life of these animals, and their place in the marine ecosystem. Numerous explanatory texts and videos are scattered throughout the museum to provide you with the best information. You won't get bored!
Unique museum pieces that are not available anywhere else are also present on the premises, such as a sawfish rostrum and the jaw of a great white shark, measuring about 6 meters!
The Sea Museum Souvenir Shop
Open from 9 am to 6 pm, the charming museum souvenir shop is filled with treasures made of seashells. Among the jewelry, vases, boxes, and frames, there's something to delight yourself or give as lovely gifts to your loved ones. 150 species of seashells from the Caribbean and around the world are sold self-service and at affordable prices, as well as starfish, sea urchins, macramé, magnets, keychains, figurines, and books for both adults and children, about the fish, turtles, and cetaceans found in our waters. Not to forget shark teeth, of course!
What You Need to Know Before Visiting the Museum
The museum is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm, without interruption. The admission fee is 3 euros for children under 12 and 5 euros for those over 12.
For more information, you can contact the museum at 0596 69 70 98 or by email at contact@musee-de-la-mer-martinique.fr.
Don't hesitate to pay a visit! We bet that after your visit, you'll be well-versed in corals, tropical seashells, and giant clams!
Museums to visit in Martinique
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