Le François

History

Le François is a commune located in the central Atlantic region of Martinique. It lies east of Le Lamentin, Ducos, and Saint-Esprit, south of Le Robert, and north of Le Vauclin. Covering over 53 km², it is the third largest commune in Martinique after Le Lamentin and Le Gros-Morne.

At the beginning of colonization, Le François held little interest for the French. When Martinique was divided between them and the Indigenous Carib people, it was the latter who chose the Atlantic side of the island, including Le François. Moreover, François Bay was considered inaccessible due to numerous reefs, and the coastline was deemed uninhabitable—swampy and infested with mosquitoes.

In December 1694, Father Labat landed there to establish a parish (an administrative and religious division under the Ancien Régime).

Throughout the period of slavery, Le François was one of the island’s most active communes, with numerous plantations cultivating coffee, cocoa, sugarcane, and later bananas for export. Slave revolts did occur but were swiftly and brutally suppressed. Offenders were hanged or subjected to severe punishments in front of other enslaved people to deter escape attempts (known as “marronnage”) or rebellion.

The first church, built of straw, earth, and reeds, was partially destroyed. Rebuilt, it was again ravaged by the violent hurricane of 1891.

Following this, the Saint-Michel Church was erected by architect Henri Picq, who also designed the Schoelcher Library and Saint-Louis Cathedral. That building was destroyed by fire in 1973. A new, more futuristic church was then built by Marc Allie, but it quickly deteriorated. A new church was later completed and inaugurated, inspired by the original early 20th-century Saint-Michel Church.

In the 19th century, a sugar and rum factory was built in the town center, employing many locals.

The year 1900 was marked by a general strike in the factories of Sainte-Marie, Trinité, and Le François. Cane cutters demanded a wage of 2 francs, which was denied. The strike began on February 5 and spread across Martinique, ending on February 24 with a tragic toll: nine agricultural workers were killed (seven from Le Robert and two from Le François).

Despite the two World Wars, the early 20th century brought economic growth to Le François. Sodas and lime were produced in the Monnerot and Frégate areas. Stone quarries provided quality building materials used to restore the church and construct homes in the town.

The Frégate thermal spring gained popularity for its liver-related health treatments. In agriculture, food crops were significant, especially in the highlands of Morne-Pitault, Chopotte, and Morne Acajou. At that time, the population had already reached 12,000.

The town’s port was bustling, with European and American ships loading sugar and rum, and unloading fertilizers, coal, and other goods. These were transported inland via barges along the canal and redistributed to Le Robert and other Atlantic coast plantations.

During World War II, the town faced subsistence challenges, and recovery was slow even after the war. Between 1945 and 1975, Le François remained a rural commune. Banana cultivation replaced sugarcane, which was in crisis. The town expanded into the Cotonnerie highlands, with the development of individual villas reflecting the rise of a significant tertiary-sector workforce.

Since the late 20th century, Le François has experienced renewed growth thanks to new infrastructure, town center renovations, and neighborhood development. The commune has shifted toward services and commerce, revitalizing the local economy. Alongside new businesses, fishing and agriculture remain vital economic pillars.

Economy

Fishing and agriculture have long been the main economic activities in Le François. However, by the late 1990s, the commune took a new direction, establishing numerous businesses and expanding the Trianon Artisan Zone.

Today, Le François is no longer just a rural commune—it is a thriving hub of economic development, with growing commercial and industrial activity.

Tourism plays a key role, thanks to the shallow seabeds known as “fonds blancs” (like the Baignoire de Joséphine) and volcanic islets (Oscar, Thierry, Frégate, Long, Pelé, Métrente). These natural wonders allow local companies to offer excursions rivaling those of tropical island paradises. The historic Habitation Clément, famed for its rum and heritage, adds to the commune’s global reputation. It’s no surprise that Martinique’s five-star Cap Est Lagoon Resort & Spa was established here (closed since 2019), alongside other hotels (Plein Soleil, Frégate Bleue) and guesthouses (Maison de l’îlet Oscar).

Neighborhoods

The main districts of the commune are 2 Courants, Beauregard, Bellegarde, Bellevue, Bois Soldat, Bonny, Cap Est, Chapelle Villarson, Chopotte 1, Chopotte 2, Chopotte 3, Cotonnerie, Croix Pelage, Desroses, Dostaly, Dupuis, Gabourin, Grand Fond, Hauteur Bellevue, La Francisque, La Haut, La Manzo, Magdelonnette, Morne Acajou, Morne Courbaril, Morne Gamelle, Morne l’Estomac, Morne Lacroix, Morne Pavillon, Perriolat 1, Perriolat 2, Perriolat 3, Petite France, Pointe Courchet Nord, Pointe Thalemont, Presqu’Île, Rivière Bambou, Saint Laurent, Saint Laurent Bicêtre, Saint Roch, Trianon, and Vapeur.