Much more than just a visit to a tropical garden, you’ll be immersed in a veritable sensory voyage. Nature has been preserved and staged in a subtle, non-interventionist manner, allowing flora and fauna to reign supreme. The lush ecosystem is testimony to the island’s rich biodiversity.
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Jardin10 Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge MartiniqueVisits are free, and can be self-guided or accompanied by a guide (by reservation on 0596 645 645). At reception, you’ll be given a map to help you explore the estate at your own pace, and discover the various themed gardens and areas: the botanical park with its fountains and pools, the Exploration Pavilion, the three hiking trails, the tropical forest, the Garden of Origins and the greenhouses.Allow around 1h30 for the visit.
Domaine d’Émeraude, formerly an agricultural plantation known as Domaine d’Estripault, was entrusted to the Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique(PNRM) in the late 2000s and has undergone a remarkable transformation. As one of the PNRM ‘s missions is to preserve the island’s natural and cultural wealth, it seized the opportunity to revive this site steeped in history. In 2005, an architectural competition and a series of ideas led to a vast redevelopment and remodelling of the site. Completely redesigned, it has become a sanctuary for nature and the exceptional biodiversity of the West Indies. In 2011, Domaine d’Émeraude opened its doors to the public, and in 2016 was awarded the ” Remarkable Garden ” label, making it a must-see site in northern Martinique.
Jardin19 Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge MartiniqueFrom the very start of your visit, views and perspectives unfold before your eyes. The fountain pool, lined with ornamental plants, creates an enchanting welcome. Behind you rises the majestic Montagne Pelée. All around, a park of rare beauty, carefully landscaped, blends century-old trees and a botanical collection, with palm trees inherited from the past, like the pinots.
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Domainedelemeraude10 Mornerouge MartiniqueThe Domaine d’Émeraude’s Pavillon d’Exploration is aninteractive, sensory exploration on an educational and entertaining journey, an invitation to discovery and learning that blends nature and culture. As soon as you enter, imagine yourself in the shoes of a researcher, scientist or historian.
The various rooms, bathed in soft light, feature lively, interactive displays that explain fauna, flora, volcanism and even the solar system.
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Domainedelemeraude1 Mornerouge MartiniqueDesigned to appeal to young and old alike, the videos are educational stops, while the showcases, drawers and lifting boards allow visitors to touch, handle and recognize important or unusual elements of Martinique’s heritage. Playful, sensory displays bring the life of the forest to life with sound and light effects. These spaces show the importance and crucial role of mangroves. Each of the island’s species is showcased: birds, insects, fish, shellfish and algae.
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Jardin17 Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge MartiniqueOnce you’ve passed ” L’esplanade des Belges “, you can continue your immersion by choosing one of the three signposted hiking trails that criss-cross the rainforest, which covers almost 80% of the estate.
Hiking Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge MartiniqueYou can choose between a circuit of :
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Jardin20 Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge MartiniqueThe journey continues as visitors of all ages discover the wealth of flora and fauna, thanks to the educational trail that leads into the heart of the rainforest. The path winds its way through luxuriant vegetation, with tall trees with impressive roots, mahoganies, tangled lianas, tree ferns, epiphytic plants, tropical flowers, bromeliads… Each step reveals its own natural treasures, and introduces visitors to the main species representative of this environment.
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Jardin21 Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge MartiniqueCarbets line the trail, inviting visitors to pause for moments of listening and contemplation. You can hear the heartbeat of the forest: birdsong, colors, smells– everything here awakens your senses. The atmosphere is one of serenity and tranquillity, a true communion with the surrounding nature.
Hornwhistler Solitairesiffleur Birds MartiniqueThe Jardin des Origines is an essential part of Domaine d’Émeraude. It is home to over a hundred plants and spices used in Creole cuisine and traditional Caribbean ethnopharmacology.
Here you’ll find rocouyer, cacao, cinnamon, coffee, atoumo and many others… Signs inform you about their continents of origin and when they first settled on the island. Species endemic to Martinique and the West Indies are also on display. A Creole house has been reconstituted with a Creole garden and its complex organization. Each plant is identified by its Creole and scientific name, as well as the botanical family to which it belongs.
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Fleur3 Jardin Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge MartiniqueDomaine de l’Émeraude also produces and sells anthuriums. Although access to the greenhouses is not permitted, visitors can admire them under the shades. The species is a hybrid specially developed to resist tropical pests and diseases.
Domaine d’Émeraude has selected a range of local products that showcase the richness of Martinique. You’ll find handcrafted creations, souvenirs, books, spices, jams… to take home a little of the island’s soul and savoir-faire!
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Garden3 Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge MartiniqueIf you’refeeling a bit peckish, take advantage of the snack area next to the store, where you’ll find mixed salads (salmon, merguez, smoked fish….), buckwheat pancakes (ham/cheese/mushrooms, three cheeses, goat/walnut/honey, smoked fish/mushrooms…) and paninis for lunch. For those with a sweet tooth, crêpes sweetened with Nutella, sugar/old rum, honey/lemon, and local jams (apricot, guava, banana, orange giraumon, sweet potato, bitter orange…) will delight your palate. Carbets are also available for picnics.
Domaine d’Émeraude is much more than just a garden. It’s a unique place Whether you’re a botany enthusiast, a hiking enthusiast or just curious about Martinique, this park offers a unique immersive and educational experience. You’ll love it!
