Village de la Poterie (Pottery village)

The site was originally a Jesuit estate at the end of the 17th century, later evolving into a sugar plantation, before becoming, from the 18th century onward, a center for the manufacture of bricks, tiles, and pottery.
Here, the local clay was extracted and transformed to produce tiles, bricks, and pottery used for houses and plantations. The buildings were constructed with stone and red brick — durable materials that became emblematic of the place. These bricks, made on-site, were also used to build the kilns, walls, and workshop structures.

Over time, the sugar industry gave way to industrial pottery, which gave the site its current name. The factory became a major center of artisanal production, where potters handcrafted jars, tiles, tableware, and decorative objects. The large wood-fired kiln, still visible today, bears witness to that era when manual labor and the heat of the fire brought clay to life.

The village’s buildings have been carefully preserved and restored. The old factory structures were maintained, while the tiled roofs, arches, kilns, and brick walls were renovated to retain the site’s authenticity. The architecture now combines heritage and modernity: the workshops and boutiques are harmoniously integrated into the former warehouses, offering visitors a bright and colorful setting.

Today, the Village of La Poterie is a true open-air museum. Every wall, every stone, and every brick tells a story — that of a place where craftsmanship, creativity, and the transmission of knowledge have shaped a unique heritage in Martinique.

The historic buildings, witnesses to the island’s artisanal and working-class past, have found a new purpose. Thanks to the restoration of the site, the village has become a vibrant hub of art, craft, and culture, all while preserving the soul of its past. This blend of historical heritage and contemporary vitality is what gives the Village of La Poterie its enduring charm and singular identity today.

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