Îlet Chancel is Martinique's largest islet, covering an area of around 70.24 hectares. It is 2.1 km long and 960 m wide. Its maximum altitude is 68 meters. It is one of the ten islets of Le Robert on the island's Atlantic coast.
The history of Îlet Chancel dates back to Caribbean times. In 1632, the Caribs who lived there ceded it to Madame du Parquet, wife of the Governor of the time, who named it "Île de Monsieur". To get there, the owner had only a small inlet to cross. He left his carriage at the stable at the end of the Pointe, which later became known as Pointe l'Écurie. On his death, Du Parquet's heirs donated the islet to the Dominicans, and later Dubuc de Ramville acquired it. He built a sugar house and a pottery.
The island was then called Ramville until it was bought by Monsieur de Lagrange-Chancel in 1891. That year, a cyclone ravaged the buildings and completely destroyed the island. The Lucy de Fossarieu family, who owned the property at the time, were decimated. Only one child survived the disaster. Monsieur de Lagrange-Chancel acquired the island, and it bears his name to this day.
Part of Martinique's heritage, Îlet Chancel is renowned for the presence of a species of iguana endemic to the Caribbean: the iguana delicatissima, also known as the "Lesser Antillean iguana". This species is protected in France. Females are generally green and males grey. In 2006, there were around 600 of them.
It is also a refuge for large migratory and seabirds such as the osprey (Pandion Haliacetus) and sedentary birds such as the turtle dove (Zenaida aurita), which nests here in abundance (over 30 nests). It's also a haven for bats.
It's an archaeological site on Martinique, where you can see vestiges of the island, including the lime kiln, the pottery and the dungeon. The lime kiln once produced the lime needed to make sugar and for building. It was obtained by burning shellfish and the many coral reefs around the islet.
Pottery was used to make various forms of sugar. The clay used was shipped from Nantes and Rouen.
Finally, the cachot was the place where punished slaves were locked up. Its height made it impossible to stand upright.
Today, it's possible to visit the islet by canoe or kayak from the Pointe Savane district of Le Robert, or by boat, or to explore it with Michel Bally, who lives there and will show you around in a horse-drawn carriage. You can also swim in the magnificent white seabed of Plage Trapèze.
Îlet Chancel is a protected area, so bring a garbage bag so you don't leave your garbage there.
Photo credit : Ticanots.com
