A true immersion in greenery, the visit of the Habitation Clément includes a beautiful botanical discovery trail through the 16 hectares of its garden, entirely designed to give the public a magnificent welcome. Designated “jardin remarquable” (remarkable garden) in 2015 by the Ministry for Culture and Communication, the park, with its collection of more than 300 tropical plants, benefits from daily upkeep, respectful of the environment.
In the old garden, which adjoins the main house by the terrace, many trees, markers of habitations in Martinique, offer a natural setting to the main house: flamboyant trees, tamarind trees, breadfruit or mahogany trees, mango trees, mombins and even cursed fig trees… The many traditional species that embellish this relaxing place.
Created at the beginning of the 1990’s, the new park was set up on the industrial wastelands of the old distillery transforming the settling tanks into water features. Along these ponds, a spectacular alley of tall royal palm trees leads to the tropical orchard and to the former horse mill. The visit continues with a splendid palm grove, rich in many species, and a sugar cane field which leads to the distillery.
Witness to the industrial past of the Habitation, a garden of machines was also installed to show the old production tools: sugar boiler, steam engines, rolls, gears, etc. Alongside them, the General Motors Company’s (GMC) locomotive and truck recall the time when the factory supplies passed through the railway network, and then by road.
As a link between the rich heritage of the place and the present time, the sculpture garden forms an open-air museum, permanently exhibiting works acquired by the Fondation Clément. Surprise effect and emotion guaranteed in front of the splendid collection which is rooted there, in the green setting, giving an overview of major contemporary art.