If there are two unmissable visits to do when you go to Martinique, it is the Habitation Clément and Jardin de Balata. It was in 1982 that Jean-Philippe Thoze, horticulturist, landscape designer and artist in the soul returns to the footsteps of his childhood home of his Creole grandparents. From there, born a passion for botany that will lead him to the four corners of the world.
The garden is organized around the family home in typical Creole architecture, is the result of a perfect alchemy between a homecoming and an atypical artist.
The garden opened its doors for the first time on 19 April 1986 and takes its name from the many old trees which where on the land. The property acquired by the father of Jean-Philippe Thoze during the war, was then a simple cottage-style house looking like a farm. Subsequently, it was sold to the grandmother of the current owner who first used as a second home as a main residence and during his retirement. At his death the property was abandoned during ten years.
Jean-Philippe Thoze, horticulturist at the head of a landscaping company, used it as storage place for abandoned plants he used to bring of his many travels. Then came the day when the family decides to sell and it is naturally to Jean-Philippe Thoze they asked to clear. On this occasion he rediscovers Balata and literally fell in love. He bought the property, and from what had become a savanna where nature had reclaimed its rights, he creates progressively a garden that now houses more than 3,000 species of tropical plants.
To get there from Lamentin, take RN5 towards Morne Rouge, from Fort-de-France take the "Route de Balata / Route de la Trace" towards the Morne Rouge.
