Regional Museum of History and Ethnography, Fort-de-France

The Regional Museum of History and Ethnography is housed in a refined bourgeois residence built in 1887, offering visitors a window into the Creole culture of the late 19th century. The ground floor features a flexible space used for temporary exhibitions and video presentations, creating an engaging introduction to the museum. A small shop is also available, allowing visitors to purchase souvenirs and keepsakes.

The first floor presents the museum’s permanent collections, which recreate the atmosphere of a 19th-century Creole household. Visitors can explore period furniture, household objects, costumes, and jewelry, providing insight into daily life at the time. Among the exhibits are West Indian dresses made from madras and brocade satin, known as douillettes, alongside intricately crafted Creole jewelry that reflects the region’s cultural identity.

Throughout the museum, paintings and engravings trace Martinique’s historical events, including the development of Saint-Pierre and Fort-de-France. These artworks help visitors understand the island’s past and its social and cultural evolution over the centuries.

In the attic, the museum houses a specialized library focused on the study of slavery, with over a thousand works dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries. This collection provides a valuable resource for researchers and scholars, offering detailed insights into a critical period of Martinique’s history.