From the name of the famous family who settled there for nearly a hundred years from 1887, the Habitation Clément is a vast agricultural area of 160 hectares, nestled in the town of Le François, in the South-East of Martinique. Dominated by a Creole house dating back to the 18th century, this site, listed as a historical monument in 1996, is home to a major heritage site, a well-known contemporary art centre and a renowned rum house in the heart of sugar cane plantations.
Acquired in 1996 by GBH, the property has benefited from several restoration campaigns, led by the Fondation Clément, whose activities it hosts. Each year, 100,000 visitors come to discover the specificities of this outstanding place that has maintained its agricultural and industrial function, while also discovering the botanical world, the world of rum, the Creole world and the industrial world. From the main house whose park has been designated “Remarkable Garden”, then from sugar cane fields to ageing cellars, through to the old distillery, the visitor can discover all the wealth of the Habitation Clément. Educational tools have been put in place to accompany school children in their discovery.
Recognised as ” House of the Illustrious people“ in 2011 for its involvement in passing on the memory of the Clément family, whose famous rum has stood the test of time, the Habitation is now seeking to preserve its authenticity and pursue its efforts to enhance its heritage value. An action which is supported by the friends of the Habitation, who take great delight, all year long, in the splendour of the buildings, the gardens and the events organised by the Fondation Clément, the very first contemporary art centre in Martinique.