Marigot

History

Le Marigot is a commune on Martinique’s North Atlantic coast, bordered by Le Lorrain to the east, Fonds-Saint-Denis and Gros-Morne to the south, and Sainte-Marie to the west. Its name dates back to the early 20th century, when locals referred to the area as “Marigot” due to a low-lying, marshy terrain near the town center. In French, a marigot refers to a waterlogged depression or a stagnant branch of a river.

In 1923, the municipal council proposed renaming the commune “Fonds-d’Or” to counter the negative connotations of the word marigot, which evoked an unhealthy, swampy region. The change was officially adopted in 1926, but just three years later, the town reverted to its original name.

To understand Marigot’s history, one must largely look to its neighbor, Le Lorrain. Marigot only came into existence in 1889 following a territorial reorganization of Le Lorrain. That same year, the Lorrain sugar factory was established on the site of the former Lagrange plantation. Interestingly, despite its name, the factory was actually located within Marigot’s boundaries.

The Lorrain factory was founded on January 3, 1889, by Pierre Guillaume Assier de Pompignan, its principal shareholder and first administrator. He received permission from the mayor to build a jetty and railway line to facilitate the export of rum and sugar, and the import of supplies. Trains had to reverse onto the jetty, while small boats ferried goods to larger ships anchored offshore.

Three canoes operated regular routes between Marigot and Trinité, and Marigot and Fort-de-France, transporting goods and equipment. Nearby, several storage sheds were built along the river’s edge by the sea. The factory was managed for 40 years by Léon Bally, who succeeded Assier de Pompignan after acquiring his shares. The factory closed in 1955 due to economic, social, and technical challenges, and the jetty—once a hub of activity—became a beloved seaside promenade, unique in Martinique for its romantic charm.

This marked a turning point in Marigot’s economy, which shifted entirely toward agriculture.

Notably, famed singer and flutist Eugène Mona spent his childhood in Marigot. He once said, “I am a child of Marigot who wants to reach the universal… Isn’t that possible?”

Economy

As mentioned, Marigot’s economy is primarily agricultural. Over 300 hectares are dedicated to food crops, including lemons and guavas. A portion of the land is reserved for horticulture, notably the cultivation of alpinias—vivid tropical flowers.

Fishing also plays a significant role, though it remains focused on local consumption. Marigot is home to Martinique’s largest freshwater aquaculture site, located in Séguineau, where crayfish and freshwater shrimp are raised and sold. The facility includes 40 basins.

Places to visit

There are no formal tourist sites within Marigot. Although it is a coastal town, its beaches are not suitable for swimming due to strong currents.