Located opposite the Savane de Fort-de-France, the Schœlcher Library (Bibliothèque Schoelcher) is a glass and iron building that combines Roman-Byzantine, Art Nouveau, Egyptian, and Neoclassical influences. It is the most visited building on the island.
It was built under the direction of architect Pierre-Henri Picq in 1887. It was first presented to the Parisian public, then dismantled and transported by ship to be rebuilt on the island six years later. It owes its name to Victor Schœlcher, the Under-Secretary of State for the Navy and Colonies, who pushed the government of the Second Republic to sign the abolition of slavery in April 1848.
Victor Schœlcher wanted the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of its population to be accompanied by access to culture for all.
In 1883, he donated 10,000 books to Martinique, which formed the initial collection of the library. Most of these books were lost in a fire in 1890. The library was rebuilt and now has 130,000 books, some of which are unique. The building has since been classified as a historic monument. It is owned by the Collectivité Unique de la Martinique.
