The Maison du Bèlè born in the town of Sainte-Marie in February 2003. The city of Sainte-Marie is known for its strong roots in tradition. The "Bèlè" of "Bel Air" is a Martinican musical genre in which one singer leads the music with a strong voice, while the dialogue develops between dancers and tanbouyé (drummer).

It is the legacy of ancestors who lived in the "rue cases-Nègres" plantation near martinican plantations. Blacks formerly slaves who became free wished away the foundations of slave society (bonded labor and forced) to the joy of freedom.

So, many free people that had a small piece of land founded a new kind of society based on mutual help or "coup de main" (helping hand). This new concept is ritualized through the Bèlè support where works and dances alternate in a society that binds subsistence and rejoicing.

The choice of the town of Sainte-Marie is not trivial. Indeed, there are in this town a strong presence of alumni who grew up in the bèlè. This is the out of the shadows and give them the place they deserve the House Bèlè was created.

The objectives of this place dedicated to Bèlè are:
- To honor the elders, custodians of an ancient tradition
- To link the old and the rest of the population of Martinique and foreign
- To capture this tradition for generations to come and share.

It has a permanent exhibition set up in February 2003, which highlights the Samaritans (inhabitants of Sainte-Marie) who have distinguished themselves in the bèlè, animating since childhood neighborhoods of the city during bèlè evenings.

To get there:

From Fort-de-France : from the ring road / Trinity / NR1, arrive at Sainte-Marie and direction Marigot. After the roundabout Venkatapen Louis, 1st left (Union Reculée). Continue to the roundabout Reculée. At the roundabout Reculée towards Marigot, then first left and you have arrived!

From Gros Morne: Direction Morne des Esses. Morne des Esses, direction Marigot. Continue to the roundabout Reculée. At the roundabout Reculée towards Marigot, then 1st left. You're there!

Built in 1658, this former convent was the home of Father Labat between 1694 and 1705. He founded the Habitation Fonds Saint-Jacques, where he developed a new model of alembic to distill rum using the "cognaçaise" method.

The new production of rum, Father Labat will propel the Domain to the forefront of the Caribbean. It will first produce sugar and then turn to the production of rum after the sugarcane crisis.

The Habitation is today a place of memory and an exceptional heritage site. It is now a property of the Unique Collectivity (local government).

It graduated in 2001 with the label "Centre Culturel de Rencontres" (Center for Cultural Exchanges), which allows it to develop a science project focused on oral traditions, including storytelling. It is also a space for cultural and artistic events.