Habitation Anse Latouche - History

A little history
Habitation Anse Latouche is said to have belonged to Guillaume d'Orange, who gave the estate to his daughter when she married François Samuel de la Touche, from whom it takes its name. Towards the end of the 17th century, Sieur Banchereau became the owner of the estate, acquiring 300 hectares and transforming it into one of the largest economic estates in Martinique at the time.
Nestling in a fertile valley, the estate enjoyed an ideal setting in which to prosper: a river, rich volcanic soil and the temperate climate of the leeward coast. Over the centuries, the estate became a model for the homes of Martinique.
There was a sugar mill, a distillery, an indigoterie and a manioquerie, as well as crops of cocoa, coffee, tobacco and sugar cane. A blacksmith's forge and pottery completed the infrastructure of this key site in Martinique's history. Today, the ruins bear witness to this prosperous era :

- The dwelling: Built in the rich colonial style, this two-storey building was a real architectural feat for its time.
- The ornamental pool: Located in the centre of the formal garden, this pool bears the date 1748.
- The remains of the slave huts and the hospital
- The indigoterie: Comprising two staircase-shaped vats. After draining, the indigo was dried and used to dye clothes.
- The manioc factory: This is where cassava was processed. To be consumed, the tuber had to be washed, peeled, ground to a pulp, pressed and dried on heated plates to obtain cassava flour.
- Mill mechanisms: The sugar mill, which was in operation from the seventeenth to the twentieth century, was equipped with an oxcart in the seventeenth century, followed by a water mill with a large paddle wheel. When a distillery was installed at the end of the 19th century, a steam engine was added to the water mill.
- The cane slide: The old pillars of the cane slide are still visible; this was a device used to slide the canes.- - - The dyke and aqueduct: The Vauban-style reservoir bears the date 1716.
- This unique site is testimony to the importance of Martinique's heritage. During your visit, you'll discover the protected animal species of this new-generation zoo, the remains of the Habitation Latouche and the magnificent garden created by Jean-Philippe Thoze.

Prices 2024: www.zoodemartinique.com/billetterie
Adult ticket: €17,50
Child ticket: €12
PASS two sites
Adults: €31.50
Children (aged 3 to 12): €21

Last admission to Martinique Zoo is at 4.30pm.

When you arrive, don't forget to mention that you've come on the advice of Martinique Tour. Share your visit with us and leave us a comment. And to find out more

Show less