Habitation Beauséjour is located on the northern tip of Martinique, namely the town of Grand'Rivière. It is a building built in the 18th century that has seen the evolution of cultures during the slavery period.
History
Grand'Rivière is a town in the north of Martinique. It is often considered the northernmost town of Martinique. It is located between Le Prêcheur in the west and Macouba in the east.
Founded at the end of the 17th century, it takes its name from the great river that crosses it. It is the Jesuits who are the initiators of this commune by installing a chapel there. Father Labat wrote at the time: “We went to say mass in a small chapel which is on the other side of the Grand'Rivière (...). The Jesuit father of the Preacher comes there to say mass two or three times a year."
In 1837, the "commune du Nord" (meaning municipality of the North") with Macouba, Basse-Pointe and Grand'Rivière was founded in opposition to the "commune du Sud (meaning municipality of the South") which included Anses d'Arlet, Diamant and Sainte-Luce. But this northern municipality will not exist very long because in 1845, it was dissolved after Macouba was established as a municipality. Grand'Rivière then joined Macouba.
In 1852, its remoteness necessitates the creation of a Gendarmerie post by Rear Admiral Vaillant, then governor of Martinique.
It was in 1888 that Grand'Rivière became a town in its own right. It was then part of the canton of Basse-Pointe and the borough of Saint-Pierre.
Théophile-Anatole Rémilien becomes the first mayor of the town.
In May 1902, the town of Grand'Rivière was decimated by the eruption of Mount Pelée.
In 1940, Martinique was dominated by Admiral Robert in charge of applying the policy of occupied France in the French Antilles. Grand Rivière becomes one of the hub of the Martinican Resistance.
In 1942 when Admiral Robert and Archbishop Mgr Varin de la Brunelière landed at Grand'Rivière with the aim of replacing the republican flags with crosses, they encountered strong opposition from the local population who fiercely defended their positions. It will long be considered as a "commune of resistance fighters."
In addition, its geographical location makes it a starting point for joining the Allied forces.
In 1945, the Liberation and the victory of the Allies was celebrated in the town.
Economy
Grand'Rivière's economy is mainly based on coastal fishing and agriculture. Tourism remains limited, although the commune has restaurants, a river and other sites to visit.
Neighborhoods
The municipality's main districts are Bagasse et Bellevue.
