Les Trois-Îlets

History

Les Trois-Îlets is a commune in the southern Caribbean region of Martinique, nestled between Rivière-Salée to the west, Les Anses d’Arlet to the east, and Le Diamant to the south.

Its name comes from three small islets—Charles, Sixtain, and Thébloux—located just offshore in the bay. These islets were named after their last owners, who operated lime kilns there.

The town is best known as the birthplace of Joséphine de Beauharnais, future wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress of France.

Originally part of a larger territory called “Cul-de-Sac-à-Vaches” (named after manatees, or “sea cows”), the area included Trois-Îlets, Rivière-Salée, Trou-au-Chat (now Ducos), and much of Saint-Esprit. This administrative division was established in 1684 during the parish boundary project.

In 1687, Trou-au-Chat became its own commune, and by 1716, Trois-Îlets and Rivière-Salée were recognized as independent parishes. Due to the distance between the church and residents’ homes, new churches were built closer to the population.

On May 2, 1849, Governor Bruat officially established Trois-Îlets as a separate commune. The first village was founded in the 18th century by Jesuits in the area known as La Poterie.

Sugar plantations flourished, especially in the districts of Poterie and Sarcelle, supplying cane to the Rivière-Salée factory until World War II. Other distilleries—located in La Vatable, La Beaufond, La Ferme, La Plaine, L’Espérance, and Anse à l’Âne—produced rum for both local and European markets. Small farmers in La Vatable, La Beaufond, La Ferme, and La Pagerie provided fresh produce to the town’s market.

The commune is also renowned for its historic pottery works, founded in 1783. Producing bricks and tiles, it supplied the entire island and played a key role in the construction of colonial estates. Owned by Mr. Le Chevalier, the pottery once employed over 200 enslaved workers. More than two centuries later, it remains a vital part of Martinique’s construction industry and a must-see heritage site.

Strategically located in the Bay of Fort-de-France, Trois-Îlets played a defensive role during conflicts between European powers vying for control of the island. Fortifications were built to repel English attacks in the 16th and 17th centuries, including Fort d’Alet, Fort de la Pointe du Bout, and later the fort on Îlet Ramiers.

The island’s defense relied on four main strongholds: Fort Saint-Louis, Fort Desaix, and Fort Tartenson in Fort-de-France, and Fort d’Alet in Trois-Îlets. Due to repeated attacks, plans were drawn up in 1740 to fortify Îlet Ramiers, though the project was never completed due to rapid advances in artillery. While many forts were abandoned in the 1870s, Îlet Ramiers remained strategically important and was active during World War II.

None of the sugar mills or distilleries survived the post-war sugar crisis.

Economy

Today, Les Trois-Îlets is Martinique’s premier seaside resort town. Its turquoise beaches attract thousands of visitors, and no fewer than eight hotels have set up shop to offer direct access to the coast.

A unique feature of the commune is its maritime shuttle service from Fort-de-France, with stops at three different points in Trois-Îlets. This allows locals—known as Îléens—to commute by boat to the capital for work or shopping. It’s also a boon for cruise passengers docked in Fort-de-France, who can reach the beaches by sea.

Key attractions include:

• La Savane des Esclaves, an open-air museum tracing Martinique’s history
• La Poterie, one of the island’s oldest businesses
• Musée de la Pagerie, birthplace and childhood home of Joséphine
• Musée de la Canne, dedicated to sugarcane heritage

The town also boasts a marina, a casino, and a wide array of restaurants, especially around Pointe du Bout.

Neighborhoods

The main districts of the commune are Anse Mitan, Beaufond, Bigotte, Charles Pieds, Château Gaillard, Concorde, Desloges, Fonds Mulâtre, Glacy, La Clouette, La Ferme, La Pagerie, La Plaine, La Source, Magasin Zéline, Morne Bigot, Morne Vent, Papias, Phaeton, Pointe Étienne, Pointe Vatable, Poterie, Radar, Râteau, Sarcelle, Thomas, Vatable, and Wallon.