Ducos

History

Ducos is located in the heart of Martinique, specifically in the south-central part of the island. Its proximity to the economic centers of Le Lamentin and Fort-de-France has made it a “suburb” of these two cities, contributing significantly to its demographic and economic growth.

Although situated on the Caribbean side of the island, Ducos has no beaches. Its coastline is dominated by dense mangroves, notably around Génipa Bay.

To the north lies Le Lamentin, to the east are Le François and Saint-Esprit, and to the south is Rivière-Salée.

The commune was formerly known as Trou-au-Chat. The exact origin of this name remains uncertain. One theory suggests that a French settler named Monsieur Le Chat lived at the base of a slope, prompting locals to say, “Let’s go see Le Chat in his hole,” which eventually became Trou-au-Chat. Another theory claims a colonist with many cats lived in a hollow, leading people to refer to it as the “Cat’s Hole.” However, both explanations are questionable, as no records mention a resident named Le Chat, and the name was singular—Trou-au-Chat, not Chats.

Trou-au-Chat was part of the parish called Cul-de-Sac-à-Vache, which also included Rivière-Salée, Saint-Esprit, and Les Trois-Îlets.

In 1687, it was established as a parish, making it one of the oldest communes in Martinique. Its first mayor was Élie Charles Huygues Derivry.

On June 12, 1837, it officially became a commune, and in 1855, it was renamed Ducos in honor of Théodore Ducos (1801–1855), Minister of the Navy and Colonies under Napoleon III. The name was adopted after his death.

In May 1925, Martinique was in the midst of a tense election period. While riots broke out in Le Diamant, Ducos witnessed a tragic event. Louis des Étages, mayor of Rivière-Salée, and Charles Zizine, general councilor for the canton of Ducos, were assassinated inside a house in Ducos by a gendarme.

Just one week after being elected, Zizine was killed on Sunday, May 24, 1925. The municipal elections in Ducos were highly charged, and the current mayor, Saint-Ange Amant, had just been suspended by the Governor.

The town hall was occupied by gendarmes, who had set up rows of barbed wire around it. Zizine and des Étages visited the commune with a photographer to document the barricaded town hall.

Annoyed by this initiative, Police Commissioner Labalette ordered Gendarme Roquet to fire. The same bullet struck both men in the back while they were having lunch at Madame Narem’s home.

They died instantly. The Governor attempted to frame the incident as self-defense. The two men were laid to rest after a public viewing at the Rivière-Salée town hall.

The gendarme who fired the shot was later acquitted. Today, the street in front of the town hall is named Rue Zizine et des Étages in their memory.

Economy

Thanks to its location near Martinique’s economic core, Ducos has become the island’s third-largest economic hub after Fort-de-France and Le Lamentin. Once centered around artisanal trades, the commune has shifted toward commerce and services.

It hosts the largest industrial zone in southern Martinique (Zone Industrielle de Champigny), a smaller one (Zone Industrielle Petite-Cocotte), and the major shopping center of the south (Centre Commercial de Génipa).

More recently, eco-tourism has emerged, with excursions offered through the mangroves—by kayak, boat, and other means—highlighting the area’s natural charm.

Neighborhoods

The main district of Ducos are Baringthon, Bois Neuf, Canal, Chemin de Fer, Côte d'Or, Croix Rivail, du Bac, Durivage, Fénelon, Fond d'Or, Fond d'Orange, Fond Savane, Fonds Brûlé, Génipa, Grande Rochelle, La Beauville, La Boby, La Cadeau, La Chassaing, La Cheneaux, La Léandre, La Marie, La Roman, Lazaret, Le Repos, Lourdes, Morne Carette, Morne Coco, Morne Lapointe, Morne Pitault, Morne Vert, Pays Noyé, Petit Paradis, Petit Parc, Petite Rochelle, Pignol, Rivière Pierre, Saint Pierre, Syndic, and Vaudrancourt.