Come & visit distilleries in Martinique

Practical Information

📍 Location: Le François, 97240 – Martinique 🕒 Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

📗 History

Founded in 1887 by Homère Clément, the Clément Distillery is one of Martinique’s most iconic rum estates. Born in 1852, just four years after the abolition of slavery, Homère Clément — the son of a tailor and grandson of freed slaves — embodies the rise of Martinique’s Afro-descendant elite.

After purchasing the Acajou Estate, he established a distillery that became a symbol of excellence and tradition in Martinique’s agricultural rum. Nestled in lush surroundings, the Clément family estate has preserved an ancestral savoir-faire, passed down through generations while integrating modern techniques to meet the expectations of rum lovers worldwide.

🥇 Awards and Distinctions

In 1996, Clément rum earned the prestigious AOC Martinique label, recognizing its authenticity and quality. Over the years, the distillery has received numerous gold medals in international competitions, celebrating the meticulous work of its master distillers. Each bottle reflects the passion, precision, and excellence that define the Clément brand.

💚 Why We Love It

• A unique contemporary art center in the heart of Martinique

• A pedagogical trail through the old distillery

• An olfactory museum dedicated to rum

• A 16-hectare botanical garden rich in tropical species

What makes the Habitation Clément truly special is its fusion of rum heritage, history, and art. The estate combines a Creole house listed as a Historic Monument (since 1996), a contemporary art gallery hosting major exhibitions, and an authentic rum distillery.

By cultivating its own sugarcane on fertile volcanic soil and promoting eco-friendly production methods, Clément strives to protect Martinique’s ecosystem while producing exceptional rums.

Choosing Clément Rum means choosing heritage, excellence, and authenticity. Whether you’re visiting the site, enjoying a tasting, or exploring the island on a road trip with your Europcar Martinique rental car, the Habitation Clément is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Martinique.

Practical Information

📍 Sainte-Marie, 97230 – Martinique 🕒 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

📗 History

Founded in 1765, the Saint-James Distillery in Sainte-Marie is one of the oldest and most iconic producers of agricultural rum in Martinique. For over 250 years, generations of master distillers have carried on a tradition of excellence. In 1882, Paulin Lambert registered the Saint-James brand and created its famous square bottle, now a symbol of quality worldwide.

🥇 Awards & Recognition

Since 1996, Saint-James rums have proudly carried the AOC Martinique label. They’ve earned multiple medals at the Paris General Agricultural Competition, including: 🥇 Gold (2001) – 🥈 Silver (2012) – 🥉 Bronze (2022).

💚 Why we love it

• The Rum Museum, tracing the history of sugarcane and agricultural rum

• The Plantation Train, an immersive experience through the sugarcane fields

• Habitation La Salle, a former sugar mill restored and transformed into an elegant boutique

A visit to the Saint-James Distillery is a journey through Martinique’s rum-making heritage. It’s an essential stop to include in your itinerary while exploring the island with your Europcar Martinique rental car.

Practical Information

📍 Le Lamentin, 97232 – Martinique 🕒 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

📗 History

Founded in 1842, La Favorite is one of the oldest and last independent family-owned distilleries in Martinique. Steam-powered machinery is still used today, preserving the island’s authentic production methods. Owned by the Dormoy family since World War II, the distillery’s name was originally granted by King Louis XV, who nicknamed it “La Favorite” after tasting its refined rum brought back from Martinique. Today, its white rum is considered one of the smoothest on the island.

🥇 Awards & Recognition

La Favorite has received several distinctions at the Paris General Agricultural Competition, including bronze medals for its Cœur de Canne amber rum and L’Authentique white rum. These awards highlight the distillery’s commitment to craftsmanship, heritage, and excellence in the art of rum-making.

💚 Why we love it

• Central location, close to Fort-de-France and the airport

• Self-guided tour through the rum-making process

A visit to La Favorite Distillery offers an authentic journey through Martinique’s rum heritage — where every bottle carries a story of passion, family, and tradition. Perfect for travelers exploring the island with a Europcar Martinique rental car, this stop combines history, flavor, and authenticity in one unforgettable experience.

Practical Information

📍 Macouba, 97218 – Martinique 🕒 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

📗 History

Founded in the early 19th century, J.M Distillery stands proudly in the lush hills of northern Martinique, at the foot of Mount Pelée. Its origins date back to 1790, when Jean-Marie Martin planted his first sugarcane fields on the fertile volcanic lands of Fonds-Préville. For over two centuries, the estate has preserved its artisanal expertise, blending tradition and innovation to craft world-class agricultural rums.

🥇 Awards & Recognition

Renowned for its exceptional quality, J.M rums have earned multiple international distinctions. The aged rum “L’Atelier des Rhums – Épices Créoles” won gold medals at the Paris General Agricultural Competition in 2023 and 2024, confirming J.M’s status as one of Martinique’s finest rum producers.

💚 Why we love it

• Its wild and lush natural setting in the island’s north

• A tasting experience that reveals the true essence of Martinique’s rum culture

A visit to J.M Distillery is an immersion into the heart of Martinique’s rum-making heritage. Combining authenticity, elegance, and terroir, it’s a must-see stop to include on your road trip with your Europcar Martinique rental car.

Practical Information

📍 Rivière-Pilote, 97211 – Martinique 🕒 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

📗 History

Founded in the 18th century, La Mauny Distillery was born when Count Ferdinand Poulain de Mauny arrived in Martinique in 1749 and married the daughter of a local planter in Rivière-Pilote. By 1820, the estate had expanded into agricultural rum production, becoming one of the island’s most iconic distilleries.

🥇 Awards & Recognition

Since 1996, La Mauny rums have proudly held the AOC Martinique label, a mark of authenticity and craftsmanship. Its amber rum “La Mauny Héritage 1749” has won gold medals at the Paris General Agricultural Competition in 2019, 2022, and 2024, confirming its place among the finest rums of Martinique.

💚 Why we love

• Guided tours for adults and children aboard the charming plantation train

• Kay Mimi restaurant, serving delicious Creole specialties

Set in the lush landscapes of southern Martinique, La Mauny Distillery blends heritage, tradition, and innovation to craft exceptional agricultural rums. Surrounded by vast sugarcane fields and a tropical climate ideal for rum aging, it offers visitors a memorable tour experience — a perfect stop to include in your itinerary with your Europcar Martinique rental car.

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