Garden5 Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge MartiniqueGarden5 Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge Martinique
©Garden5 Domainedelemeraude Mornerouge Martinique|MDES
A Biodiversity Sanctuaryin the heart of the rainforest

Visit to Domaine d’Emeraude

Taking the Route de la Trace, which runs from Fort-de-France to Morne-Rouge, my itinerary stops today at Domaine d’Émeraude. This botanical and cultural park is a 25-hectare educational space for discovery, education and preservation in the heart of the rainforest. Whether you’re a passionate botanist or a curious traveler, you’ll be seduced by the diversity, singularity and impressive beauty of the site.

A sensory and educational journey

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.

An immersive experience

Visits 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.

The history of the estate

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.

A visit to the heart of the estate

Park, fountains and views of Montagne Pelée

From 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.

The Pavillon d’Exploration, a living library

The 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.

Designed 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.

There’s never a dull moment in this unique museum, with something for every age group and a wealth of valuable information on Martinique’s flora and fauna.

Hiking

du Domaine d'Emeraude

3 marked hiking trails

Once 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.

You can choose between a circuit of :

  • 15-minute walk for the first
  • 30 minutes for the second
  • 1 hour for the last

An educational trail

in the heart of the rainforest

The 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.

Carbets 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.

The Garden of Origins, a plunge into Creole culture

The 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.

Anthurium production greenhouses

Domaine 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.

The store

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!

Restaurant and picnic stands

If 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!

Go ahead on our behalf

Search
Close