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.

Infos pratiques

📍 Sainte-Luce, 97228 – Martinique 🕒 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

📗 History

Founded in 1660 by Nicolas Fouquet, Minister to King Louis XIV, the Trois-Rivières Distillery is one of the oldest plantations in Martinique. In the 18th century, Étienne Isaïe Marraud Des Grottes introduced rum production, and in 1940, Trois-Rivières agricultural rum was officially launched. Since 1994, the distillery has belonged to the B.B.S. group (Bellonie & Bourdillon Successeurs), which also owns La Mauny, and has benefited from the AOC Martinique label since 1996. Today, it combines tradition and modernity, perfectly embodying the spirit of Martinique's spirit tourism.

🥇Labels, awards, medals

• 🏅 Gold Medal – Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (2022)

• 🥈 Silver Medal – Concours Général Agricole de Paris (2024)

These awards confirm the exceptional quality of Trois-Rivières rums, renowned for their aromatic richness and elegance.

💚 Why we love it

• Its iconic mill, symbol of Martinique's heritage

• Its colorful shop and friendly tasting bar

The Trois-Rivières Distillery offers a truly immersive experience centered around agricultural rum, from sugar cane cultivation to distillation.

It is an essential stop on any spirits tourism tour of Martinique, which you can explore at your leisure thanks to your car rental with Europcar Martinique.

HSE Distillery: Classified as a Historic Monument

Credit : (Distillerie HSE Habitation Saint-Etienne Rhum et Patrimoine | Martinique Tour, 2025)

Practical Information

📍 Gros-Morne, 97213 – Martinique 🕒 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

📗 History

Founded in the 19th century, HSE (Habitation Saint-Étienne) stands on the site of an old sugar plantation that gave the distillery its name. Since its creation, HSE Distillery has been dedicated to producing exceptional agricultural rums, preserving traditional distillation methods while embracing modern techniques to enhance flavor and finesse.

🥇 Awards & Recognition

Renowned worldwide, HSE rums have earned numerous distinctions for creations like Ragtime, Château Marquis de Terme Finish, and Parcelle 1. These awards reflect the distillery’s commitment to quality, innovation, and authenticity, positioning HSE among the finest rum producers in the world.

💚 Why we love it

• Art exhibitions featuring painters, photographers, writers, and musicians all year round

• A remarkably preserved architectural heritage

• Historic aging cellars and a classified botanical garden

Nestled in a lush tropical setting, HSE Distillery offers a unique sensory journey through Martinique’s rum-making heritage. A must-visit for rum lovers and culture enthusiasts, it’s the perfect stop on your island adventure with your Europcar Martinique rental car — where tradition, art, and flavor come together.

Frequently Asked Question:

📗 History

Fondée au XVIIᵉ siècle, l’Habitation Depaz, aussi appelée « La Montagne », est un domaine vitrine du nord de la Martinique, niché au pied de la Montagne Pelée, sur des terres agricoles d’une grande richesse volcanique. À l’origine créée en 1651 par Jacques Duparquet, premier gouverneur de l’île, cette propriété a d’abord été dédiée à la culture du tabac, de l’indigo et à l’élevage avant de devenir une plantation de canne à sucre puis une distillerie de rhum agricole;

🥇 Labels, awards, medals

Habitation Depaz is world-renowned for its Martinique Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) agricultural rums, the result of a unique volcanic terroir and expertise passed down for over a century. The history of its production, based on traditional methods and an exceptional terroir at the foot of Mount Pelée, gives its rums a distinctive aromatic identity that is sought after by connoisseurs.

💚 Why we love it

• Its exceptional natural setting, between the Caribbean Sea, lush mountains, and sugar cane fields, offers an authentic immersion into the spirit of Martinique.

• A visit to Habitation Depaz, where you can explore the historic distillery, see an antique steam engine and Château Depaz, visit a small museum, and taste exceptional rums in a friendly atmosphere.

Visiting Habitation Depaz means immersing yourself in the soul of Martinique's agricultural rum, combining tradition, terroir, and history. It is an essential stop on any road trip with Europcar Martinique, allowing you to discover one of the most beautiful sites in the north of the island.