The entrance to the plantation is marked by a huge blue wooden chai. Sylvestre, our guide for the day, welcomes our little group on the terrace just beside the store. Introductions made, we take the path leading to the old distillery.
Distillerietroisrivieres Moulin Sainteluce MartiniqueDistillerietroisrivieres Moulin Sainteluce Martinique|
Moulin à Canne and Spiritourismeat Rhumerie Trois Rivières
Self-guided or guided tour
rhumerie5-troisrivères-sainteluce-martiniquerhumerie5-troisrivères-sainteluce-martinique|
I discover the magnificent artistic fresco on the ground, with its molecular shapes, which mark out the path in a cameo of blue, green, yellow, ochre… It’s so beautiful!
We pass the artisans’ stores, housed in huge wooden tuns that were once used to age 40 to 50 thousand liters of rum.
We’ll be back later to buy a few local souvenirs.
Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce MartiniqueDistillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce Martinique|
Moulin4 Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce MartiniqueMoulin4 Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce Martinique|
I was lucky enough to visit the distillery when it was still in operation, until 2004. That year, the distillation column was transferred to the Maison la Mauny distillery in Rivière Pilote, which has since distilled Trois Rivières rums in compliance with the specifications and preserved the full identity of its rums. Today, the site is entirely devoted to spirit tourism: preserving its history, visiting the magnificent estate, tasting and selling rums with a strong personality.
The oldest plantation
and the largest in MartiniqueA little history…
Sylvestre tells us the story of this unique plantation. Named ” Trois Rivières ” like the neighborhood, in tribute to the three rivers that border it: Oman, Bois d’Inde and Saint Pierre(NB: this is also the name given to three excellent limited-edition cuvées!). Water is inseparable from the site and its intense sugar industry from the early 19th to the mid-20th century.
Distillerietroisrivieres4 Sainteluce MartiniqueDistillerietroisrivieres4 Sainteluce Martinique|
cane-sugar-rumery-troisrivères-sainteluce-martiniquecane-sugar-rumery-troisrivères-sainteluce-martinique|
Canneasucre Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce MartiniqueCanneasucre Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce Martinique|
The plantation’s 700 hectares of sugar cane, which extend right down to the sea at Anse Céron in Sainte-Luce, changed ownership several times over the following centuries. In 1994, the Trois Rivières plantation was bought by BBS (Bellonnie & Bourdillon et Successeurs), which also owned the Maison La Mauny distillery in Rivière Pilote. From 2004 onwards, Trois Rivières rums will be distilled and aged there under the expert guidance of cellar master Daniel Baudin. When you visit Plantation La Mauny, you can see the Trois Rivières Creole column that has been transferred there. Both distilleries are now part of the Campari Group.”
champsdecanneàsucre-rhumerie-troisrivères-sainteluce-martiniquechampsdecanneàsucre-rhumerie-troisrivères-sainteluce-martinique|
Creator of AOC agricultural rum
Distillerietroisrivieres3 Sainteluce MartiniqueDistillerietroisrivieres3 Sainteluce Martinique|
The guide explains the traditional methods used to produceAOC(Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) agricultural rums(obtained in 1996), from cutting the cane tocrushing and fermentingto ageing the rums. In the old factory and in the park,vintage machines, tools and gears are on display, bearing witness to past activity. Today’s cane plantations stretch over vast expanses bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in Martinique’s far south.
vats-rhumery-plantationtroisrivieres-sainteluce-martiniquevats-rhumery-plantationtroisrivieres-sainteluce-martinique|
rhumerie3-troisrivieres-sainteluce-martiniquerhumerie3-troisrivieres-sainteluce-martinique|
rhumerie4-troisrivieres-sainteluce-martiniquerhumerie4-troisrivieres-sainteluce-martinique|
Sun-drenched, lulled by the trade winds and sea air, the canes are among the sweetest on the island, with a strong minerality and inimitable aromas .
Trois Rivières white rum has an incomparable taste!
Cellar master Daniel Baudin knows every detail of the cane, the rums, the distillation column, ageing and blending. He continues to create new cuvées, while preserving the personality of the rums.
Danielbaudin Maitredechai Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce MartiniqueDanielbaudin Maitredechai Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce Martinique|
Tonneau Chai Trois-Rivières Sainte-Luce MartiniqueTonneau Chai Trois-Rivières Sainte-Luce Martinique|
Rum in 3D sound and light
rhumerie6-troisrivères-sainteluce-martiniquerhumerie6-troisrivères-sainteluce-martinique|
rhumerie7-troisrivères-sainteluce-martiniquerhumerie7-troisrivères-sainteluce-martinique|
We then enter an old wine storehouse where three large casks and barrels are laid out. And when the doors close, it’s a sight you won’t soon forget!
An immersive 3D sound and light show takes you through every stage of rum production.
It’s a great experience, bravo!
The Mill, emblem of Trois Rivières
With the guide, we slowly make our way back up to the mill.
Trois Rivières wouldn’t be quite Trois Rivières without its windmill, everyone agrees! Once used to crush sugar cane, the windmill has been beautifully restored, inside and out.
Its wings stand out against the blue sky, with the garden and the sea in the background – it ‘s superb!
Moulin6 Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce MartiniqueMoulin6 Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce Martinique|
rhumerie10-troisrivères-sainteluce-martiniquerhumerie10-troisrivères-sainteluce-martinique|
A Will in the Wind
An emblematic element of Martinique’s sugar and rum-making heritage, this windmill marks the entrance to the Trois Rivières Plantation in Sainte-Luce.
Restored in 2005 , it evokes the history of the manufacture of Martinique’s leading export: sugar, which once belonged to Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s Minister of Finance. This typical island mill, with its truncated cone-shaped shaft and canvas wings, powered the cylinders.
Entering the mill, you can see its three rolles (rollers), which were used to extract the cane juice. The renovation of this feature also provides an opportunity to discover the plantation’s history.
Moulin Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce MartiniqueMoulin Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce Martinique|
Tasting and store
Sylvestre invites us to visit the boutique, where we can discover and taste the brand’s white rums, amber rums, aged rums and special cuvées. A moment much appreciated by all visitors! The boutique is open to all, with no obligation to visit.
shop-rhumery-plantationtroisrivieres-sainteluce-martiniqueshop-rhumery-plantationtroisrivieres-sainteluce-martinique|
For my part, I chose a white rum: Cuvée de l’Océan in its turquoise-blue bottle. Identifiable by its slightly iodized notes, it comes from the juice of canes from a parcel of land on the Atlantic side of Anse Trabaud (commune of Sainte-Anne): I really like it. As for old rum, I’m curious about and very attracted to Rhum vieux de l’Océan. Its particularity: it’s reduced to filtered seawater. I like its clean, invigorating taste. The navy-blue bottle is superb.
Rhums Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce MartiniqueRhums Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce Martinique
Rhums2 Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce MartiniqueRhums2 Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce Martinique
Rhums3 Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce MartiniqueRhums3 Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce Martinique
Rhum Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce MartiniqueRhum Distillerietroisrivieres Sainteluce Martinique
At the boutique, I buy a bottle of each and fall for the cuvée Saint-Pierre, an aged rum. I also take the opportunity to pick up some ti-punch glasses and a few bois lélé.
Trois Rivières rums regularly win awards:
- Concours général agricole Paris 2024
- Silver Medal: Rhum Blanc Agricole AOC Trois-Rivières 50% vol.
- Silver Medal: Rhum Vieux Cellar Réserve Trois-Rivières 4 ans 40% vol.
- Concours général agricole Paris 2023
- Gold Medal: Rhum Hors d’âge 12 ans 42% vol.
- Silver Medal: Rhum Très Vieux VSOP Réserve spéciale 40% vol.
- Rum & Cachaça Master 2023
- Master: Trois Rivières Cuvée de l’Océan 42% vol.
- Gold Medal: Trois Rivières Cellar Reserve 40% vol.
- Gold Medal: Trois Rivières Triple Millésime 2001 2005 2011 42% vol.
- Silver Medal: Trois Rivières VSOP Réserve Spéciale 40% vol.
In 2020, the BBS Group won – thanks to the numerous medals awarded to its TROIS RIVIERES and MAISON LA MAUNY brands – the prestigious titles of “Best Rum Producer ” and “Best Spirits Producer” awarded by the IWSC, considered one of the most recognized competitions in the world of spirits. and “Best Spirits Producer” titles awarded by the IWSC, considered one of the most prestigious competitions in the world of spirits.
Tonneau Trois-Rivières Sainte-Luce MartiniqueTonneau Trois-Rivières Sainte-Luce Martinique|
bar-tasting-library-plantationtroisrivieres-sainteluce-martiniquebar-tasting-library-plantationtroisrivieres-sainteluce-martinique|
One last look, one last photo of the park with its cane fields as far as the eye can see, and I leave delighted with this visit, with a special mention for the 3D sound and light animation and this fresco like a long, colorful mosaic!
We' d like you to do it for us!
* Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, and should be consumed in moderation.
