History

Saint-Joseph is a municipality in the center of Martinique. It is located north of Lamentin, northeast of Fort-de-France, east of Fonds-Saint-Denis and west of Gros-Morne. Saint-Joseph is one of the few towns on the island that has no border with the Atlantic Ocean or the Caribbean Sea.

The town owes its name to the saint in honor of his parish built at the end of the 19th century.

The parish appeared towards the end of the 18th century, partly taking over the first chapel of the Lézarde district at Presqu'île in 1687, a chapel bringing together inhabitants between the Rivière Blanche and the Rivière Lézarde.

In 1842, a church and a school were built in a place called La Chapelle. However, it was not until 1853 that the church obtained parochial status and following its ruin it was closed in 1874. Two other churches were subsequently built, including that of Father Eugène Maillard, dedicated to Saint-Joseph.

The Rivière Blanche section depending on the municipality of Lamentin was delimited in 1862.

The commune of Saint Joseph was officially created on March 24, 1888, confirming the gathering in this place of inhabitants grouped since 1862 in section of commune and parish, then dependent on the neighboring commune of Lamentin.

Three years later, the town was completely destroyed by a cyclone that devastated the island on August 18, 1891. The economic life of Saint-Joseph turned mainly to agriculture.

From the end of the 19th century, its territory had seven distilleries, but the sugar crisis led farmers to move towards banana cultivation, which experienced considerable expansion in 1947. In addition, the cultivation of pineapples and flowers, especially anthurium, is growing. The town has become a peri-urban residential space, which increasingly attracts the population of the center of the island.

Economy

Saint-Joseph est une commune qui attire essentiellement les passionnés du tourisme vert. En effet, la commune est un paradis naturel avec une grande partie recouverte de forêt. Outre la Forêt de Rabuchon, vous adorerez Coeur Bouliki.

Saint-Joseph is a town which mainly attracts green tourism enthusiasts. Indeed, the town is a natural paradise with a large part covered with forest. Besides the Rabuchon Forest, you will love Cœur Bouliki.

Neighborhoods

The main districts of the municipality are Allé Choco, Bambou du champ, Belle Étoile, Bois Neuf, Bois du parc, Chapelle, Choco, Choisy, Derrière-bois, Durand, Fond Cacao, Gondeau, Goureau, Hermitage la Croix, Horizon 2000, Hôtel des Plaisirs, la Croix, Long Bois, Morne des Olives, Petit Berry, Presqu'île, Rabuchon, Rosière, Rivière monsieur, Rousseau, Salubre, Rivière l'or, Séailles and Sérail.

List of places to visit in the municipality

Forests

Forest Rabuchon is certainly the least known in Martinique but remains a cool spot for lovers of nature and tranquility. Located in St. Joseph, it allows a hike towards the river Coeur Bouliki.

Rivers

Coeur Bouliki is a small natural area located in the town of Saint-Joseph. It will delight those who love nature and want to escape the crowded beaches of the south of the island.