Habitation Clément, Colonial agricultural estate in Le François, France
Habitation Clément is a former sugarcane plantation site in Martinique with traditional buildings, tropical gardens featuring royal palms, ponds, and fountains. The estate includes a contemporary art gallery, historical production facilities, and a modern museum building with multiple exhibition areas.
The estate was founded in 1887 and evolved from a sugarcane plantation into a major rum production center during Martinique's industrial development. This transformation reflects how the island's economy shifted over time.
The estate houses a collection of approximately 800 artworks created by Caribbean artists, reflecting diverse cultural expressions from the region. This gathering allows visitors to experience the artistic voices and traditions that shaped island identity.
Visitors can explore the grounds through guided tours lasting about two hours, covering areas such as the former distillery, gardens, and manor house. The best time to visit is outside the rainy season, when weather conditions are most pleasant.
The estate still operates an active rum aging facility where visitors can observe historical distillation machinery alongside contemporary sculpture installations scattered throughout the tropical garden. This blend of working production and artistic space creates a rare combination of craft and creativity.
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