Schoelcher Library
#2 in Best Things To Do in Martinique
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- 5.0Value
- 0.0Food Scene
- 4.5Atmosphere
Schoelcher Library in Fort-de-France should hold a spot on your travel itinerary for its history and ornate design, not for its books. The building was originally designed and built for an 1889 exposition in Paris before it was shipped to Martinique and reassembled along the west side of La Savane. It was named in honor of slavery abolitionist Victor Schoelcher.
Recent visitors said it's definitely worth a quick stop in to explore and learn about the history; others point out that the free Wi-Fi is an enticing reason to visit, as well.
The library is open Monday afternoons, all day Tuesday through Friday and on Saturday mornings. There is no admission fee.
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2 of 8#1 Anse Cafard Slave Memorial
High on a hill in southwest Martinique are 20 white stone effigies, silently facing Diamond Beach and the Caribbean Sea. They commemorate an 1830 catastrophe when a slave ship failed to properly anchor in Anse Cafard and careened into Martinique's Diamond Rock Mountain, killing many of the passengers and sailors as well as the slaves who were chained to the cargo hold. The chilling statues at this memorial are a popular stop and photo op for many, and although the monument has suffered some wear and tear, you too won't be disappointed with the overall effect.
Recent visitors say the simple memorial is quite sobering, with one calling it simultaneously "humbling and beautiful." Others appreciated that there are signs posted in both French and Enlish at the site that explain the significance of the memorial.
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