Basse Pointe
The commune of Basse Pointe invites you to discover the thousand facets of the birthplace of the incomparable man of culture, Aimé CESAIRE, the pride of all Martiniquans. Basse-Pointe conceals many sites constituting historical and cultural assets which benefit from being known. It is a haven of greenery presenting a palette of curiosities including dwellings all different from each other and which bear witness in their own way to a certain past: Pécoul, Eyma, Gradis, Moulin Létang, Hackaert and Chalvet. They are all landmarks for a land of memory.
Basse-Pointe is a haven for many immigrants from India after the abolition of slavery in 1848. They contributed to the continuation of sugar production and to the enrichment of Martinique’s cultural heritage, the fruit of fertile mixing of influences from several continents. Thus, the culinary traditions brought by these immigrants constitute one of the pride of our local restaurants which offer to the visitors of the “Great North” the famous “Colombo” this delicious spicy dish with curry… With its shoreline bathed by the “big lick” of the Atlantic Ocean, Basse-Pointe is a site renowned for the practice of surfing. Intrepid devotees play impressive waves that assault the cliffs in unremitting fury. Let yourself be seduced by this charming corner of the North Atlantic. There is no doubt that you will keep an unforgettable memory of it.
A land rich in history …
When Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1493, Basse-Pointe, like the surrounding areas, was populated by the Caribbean Indians from South America. The fertility and lightness of the soil, its ease of handling, the excellent exposure to wind and rain did not escape the colonists who in 1658 pushed the last Caribbean to the island of Dominica to make this region a rich agricultural area. Today some large dwellings still bear witness to past prosperity. Pécoul, Gradis, Chalvet and Leyritz offer remarkable examples of colonial architecture over the centuries, often in a splendid plant and floral environment. The development of the village is ensured by the military and especially religious authorities. The records of the Catholic church show the foundation of the parish around 1680. The church was then dedicated to Saint John the Baptist from 1684. Located in the North of Martinique between Lorrain, Ajoupa Bouillon and Macouba, Basse-Pointe is dominated by the Pelée Mountain and extends in a slight slope towards the Atlantic Sea with roaring waves. Around 1830 and 1850, economic life was reflected in the development of commercial activities and the expansion of the public pier at Bourg which served as a transit point for sugar cane products from Beauséjour, Préville, Pécoul and Gradis. Between 1858 and 1885 the effects of the abolition of slavery led to Hindu immigration. Most of them are of Tamil cultures and the Gradis and Moulin l’Etang Temples bear witness to the survival of their cult. Between 1948 and 1951 social life was turbulent. Basse-Pointe becomes a nerve center of workers’ struggles in Martinique. The town, like all of Martinique, will be shaken by the case of the 16: a factory manager is killed, 16 union activists will be tried in Bordeaux. Note also that Basse-Pointe gave birth to two famous men: Hippolyte MORESTIN, great plastic surgeon and Aimé CESAIRE, poet writer and politician.
Tourist Office Colibri street – Green Carpet Tel: 05 96 78 99 01 – Fax: 05 96 78 96 29
