Tourism Guide Le Marin en Martinique
Nestling in a beautiful bay and flanked by two coastal shores open to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, Le Marin resort has the largest marina in the Caribbean.
This coastal town offers a wide range of activities: water sports, beaches, sailing, hiking in nature.
History
The town of Le Marin is one of the oldest inhabited sites in Martinique.
In 1664 , it was called "Cul-de-sac of St. Etienne du Marin" and had 199 inhabitants. The parish includes Le Marin and Sainte-Anne.
Strategically an important place, in 1673 , the city was the scene of fighting between French and English. The latter burned the chapel and the town, and ravaged plantations and herds.
The town completed its reconstruction in 1700 and consolidates its maritime trade.
In 1728, Sainte-Anne gained its independence, and was separated from Le Marin.
In 1731, Le Marin received a royal lieutenancy and became the chief town of one of the four departments of the island.
On January 14th, 1759, a new British attack was repelled.
During the eighteenth century, Le Marin developed its business and turned increasingly towards maritime trade.
In the nineteenth century , Marin was still the scene of naval battles between France and England. The English were pushed back by Girardin de Montgérald, commander of the Sainte-Anne district, and Mondesir Bonnier, commander of Le Marin.
The town of Le Marin was erected in 1839.
1869 saw the construction of a central plant to replace the 120 sugar plants of the southeast of the island. This new plant generated significant economic activity in the region. Near the factory, in 1871, an incident which was at the origin of "the Southern insurrection" took place : a conflict of class and color that degenerated. The movement was then crushed in blood by the Third Republic government.
In 1974 , the difficulties faced by agriculture generated the end of sugarcane production. However Le Marin became then one of three sub-prefectures of the island, and adopted the tax exemption laws which enabled the construction of the marina.
To see/ To do
The Marina of the town is very popular with boaters. It boasts of being labeled "Sailing Resort". Le Marin is then the largest naval base in the Caribbean. Many companies hire boats. The port is the starting point for cruises to St. Vincent, the Grenadines, St. Lucia ...
Watersports: catamaran, windsurfing, canoeing, discovering seabed, fishing, diving... sea fans.
Morne Gommier: this mountain faces the sea and offers a magnificent 360 ° view on the southern part of Martinique.
Beaches: Cap Macré, Cap Ferré, Anse Grosse Roche, Grand Macabou.
Saint-Etienne Church: This 18th century historical monument was built in stone. Its Jesuit style facade is surmounted by two superimposed Tuscan columns lines. The tower has a unique location. The vault, made by shipwrights, looks like the hull of an upturned boat.
Author : Bérengère© |
