The fishing port of Vauclin (Port de pêche du Vauclin) is the first fishing port of Martinique. In this town, about 500 people live in income from fishing.
History
Le Vauclin is a commune in the south Atlantic of Martinique. It is located south of Le François, west of Saint-Esprit and Rivière-Pilote and north of Le Marin.
The origin of its name remains a mystery but on the map of Martinique from 1696, the name Vauclin was already that of the place which today constitutes the town of the commune.
When French settlers arrived in Martinique, tensions were high with the Carib Indians who lived on the island. After many battles, they decide to share the island. The settlers opted for the northern Caribbean and the Caribbean for the south of the island. One of the chiefs who reigned over the territory which is today called Le Vauclin was called Macabou, one of the names of a current district. For the Caribbean, Le Vauclin was one of the centers of their habitat. The heights were used to plant fruits and vegetables, below were the homes and then the sea where the Caribs practiced fishing.
It was only after the Caribs had been driven out or executed that settlers moved to this part of the island, one of the last to be colonized by the French.
Initially, Le Vauclin was joined with Le François to form a single parish. In 1712, the French settlers of Macabou, Paquemar, Sans-Soucy and le Vauclin asked for the creation of a cultural center, which they obtained when a chapel was built in 1720 in honor of Saint John the Baptist. For a territory to be considered colonized, it had to have a militia and then a parish. In the case of Le Vauclin, the town would have a parish before being endowed with a protective militia. The request for the formation of a militia was made in 1720, and it was instituted six years later.
Export crops are developed. While sugar cane was given priority in the lower areas, coffee plantations were planted on the higher ground, particularly on the slopes of the Montagne. Fishing was practiced here during the period of slavery, and its products served as food for the slaves.
In 1833, Le Vauclin became a commune. A central factory was built in 1880, fed by the various sugarcane fields in the area. It remained in operation until 1961.
Economy
If you say Vauclin in Martinique, many will tell you about its fishing port. Indeed, Vauclin is Martinique's benchmark fishing commune, an activity that is still the main economic driver in Vauclin today. More than a hundred Vauclinois self-identify as professional fishermen. More than 100 fishing boats are present throughout the commune, mainly at the fishing port, which boasts modern facilities to make daily life easier for fishermen. Over 200 tonnes of fish and shellfish are caught each year. Different types of fishing are practiced, such as net fishing, creel fishing and offshore fishing.
Le Vauclin is also an agricultural commune, with numerous fields devoted to export crops such as bananas and sugar cane. Livestock farming is also well represented, with the Massy-Massy breeding farm specializing in the production of a breed of cattle called the Brahman thoroughbred, which is particularly hardy and well acclimatized to our region.
A number of events are organized throughout the year to promote the local produce of the Vauclin, such as the land and sea produce fair, the pig festival, the crab fair and mini-markets. An opportunity for tourists and locals alike to discover the region's local produce.
Last but not least, Le Vauclin is no slouch when it comes to tourism. With its original and sometimes wild beaches, it's an opportunity to have an out-of-the-ordinary memory, such as horse-riding on Grand Macabou beach, hiking between forests and dry desert areas or simply walking in the water at Pointe Faula for dozens of meters until the water finally reaches your waist.
Numerous restaurants offer gourmet menus based on seafood and other quality local produce. Tourist accommodations are also available on the island, such as the original Domaine des bulles, which offers a full range of massage, spa and jacuzzi services, and above all, the chance to sleep in a bubble in the heart of nature.
Neighborhoods
The municipality's main districts are Baie des Mulets, Beaujolais, Bel Air, Belle Étoile, Bellevue, Benguette, Boe, Cadette, Cambeilh, Carrière, Chamfleury, Château d'Eau, Coq, Coulée d'Or, Ducassous, Dunoyer, Ensfelder, Escarvaille, Fond Zamy, Fonds Gens Libres, Fonds Mulâtre, Goujon, Grand Boucan, Grande Case, Humbert, l'Union, la Broue, la Ferme, la Montagne, Macabou, Malveaux, Morne Carrière, Morne la Croix, Morne Raquette, Neveu, Paquemar, Petit Campêche, Petit Pérou, Petite Grenade, Petite Ravine, Placide, Plaisance, Pointe Athanase, Pointe Chaudière, Pointe Faula, Puyferrat, Sans Souci et Sigy.
