MAISON DE LA CANNE

The history of the Vatable dwelling lives on! La Maison de la Canne is located on the grounds of the Vatable dwelling, one of the oldest in Trois-Îlets. The Vatable family owned the property from 1820 to 1904. The property was then sold at auction, and Justin Mario became its owner. He established a distillery here in 1916, producing "Le Soleil" rum until 1962. As with other distilleries, the story could have ended there. But the AMMCA (Association Martiniquaise de la Maison de la Canne) bought the premises in 1987 and restored the buildings to create a museum, before handing it over on March 7, 1992, for a symbolic franc, to the Region and today to the Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique, which has enriched the collections and organized events and activities...

One Earth, One Plant, One People:

The general theme of the Maison de la Canne exhibition is "Une Terre, une Plante, un Peuple". The exhibition traces the turbulent history of three centuries, and shows how the exploitation of this plant has shaped Martinique's society.

A section on the harsh daily life of slaves on the plantation gives an insight into man's ability to adapt to his environment. From planting cane to extracting sugar to making rum, every stage is faithfully described.

The museum and its collections:

Created within the walls of the former Vatable dwelling, the Maison de la Canne traces the history of sugar cane since its introduction to Martinique in the mid-17th century. The museum explains how the slave system is deeply linked to the exploitation of sugar cane. Particularly labor-intensive, the cultivation of sugarcane in the colonies led to the mass deportation of people from Africa to Martinique to cover the needs of the farms. As a result, sugar cane cultivation became an integral part of the Creole landscape and culture that dominated Martinique's economy until the mid-20th century.

Last but not least, you'll be able to discover various documents showing the machines used in the past and their evolution. In its two hectares of parkland, the museum also offers you the chance to admire two old locomotives, a wood mill and boilers. And to complete the picture, temporary collections directly linked to the museography.