The Ecomuseum, a unique place to visit in the south of Martinique Located a few steps from Anse Figuier beach, the Martinique Ecomuseum has occupied the former Ducanet distillery, restored for the occasion, since 1993. The Caraïbe Pilote chief took shelter there in the 17th century to escape the colonists installed further north on the island.
Today, the Rivière-Pilote municipality carries its name in his honor. The Martinican Association for the Promotion and Protection of Popular Arts and Traditions (AMPATP) exhibits objects and models there that trace the island's past.
The History of Martinique at the Heart of the Ecomuseum
What awaits you is a journey from Amerindian prehistory to the early 20th century. The museum's collections trace all epochs of Martinique's past. Unique, the place has enriched itself with new archaeological treasures after the discovery on the site of remains and objects dating back to the Arawak Indians.
On the ground floor, a multitude of materials representative of the local economy through the centuries is observed. From prehistoric times to the present day, each utensil symbolizes a significant period in the country's history: the heyday of banana culture, colonization, slavery, and the establishment of central factories.
What is the Ecomuseum of Martinique?
Established in 1993 by the Martinican Association for the Promotion and Protection of Popular Arts and Traditions (AMPATP), this two-story museum is both an Amerindian and pre-Columbian archaeological site. It is located on the ruins of the Ducanet distillery, which ceased to be active around 1920 and was refurbished for the occasion.
Indeed, the Rivière-Pilote municipality was once the living place of Chief Carib Pilote (which can also be written as Pilotte), highly influential on the island, at the very moment when it was divided into two with the colonists in the north and the Caribs on the Atlantic coast and south.
Highlighting Martinican Craftsmanship
On the upper floor, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 1950s. Two mannequins dressed in period clothing are busy with their daily work. This artisan couple seems very occupied in showcasing their skills.
The crafts of cabinetmaking and basketry, characteristic of local customs and traditions, require skill and patience. The style, decor, furniture, knick-knacks, and even tableware transport you more than half a century back in time.
This prominent place in Martinique calls for memory and perpetuates the identity and knowledge of its country. Come and contemplate the historical, ethnographic, and cultural riches of the Ecomuseum. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday and easily accessible from the N5.
What to see at the Ecomuseum of Martinique?
On the agenda: a grand exhibition and retrospective of Martinique's rich history, from the era of the Amerindians to the 1950s and 60s.
This takes you on a journey into the past, exploring historical figures, retracing various ways of life and ancestral know-how (fishing, gathering), explaining the agricultural system, and the initial harvesting of fruits and vegetables from our region. It delves into slavery, a major turning point for the island and the rest of the Caribbean.
The Ecomuseum of Martinique is the perfect place if you want to learn more about the lives of the Arawaks and Caribs, as well as about the colonial period in Martinique.
It's filled with an immense collection of clothing, artifacts, pottery, diverse testimonies, reconstructions with mannequins, and, of course, archival images projected in a screening room.
When to visit the Ecomuseum of Martinique?
You can visit from Tuesday to Thursday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1 PM, and from 2 PM to 5 PM. The Ecomuseum is also open on Sundays, from 9 AM to 1 PM and from 2 PM to 5 PM.
The entrance fee is 1 euro for children and 3 euros for adults.
For further information, you can contact this number: 0596 62 79 14.
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