Welcome to the island of Marie Galante, located in the south of Guadeloupe and made up of the municipalities of Grand Bourg, Saint-Louis and Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante. It is in area (158 km2), the largest of the three islands that surround Guadeloupe (La Desirade and Les Saintes). This islands reachable by maritime transport and by an aerodrome, has kept all its charm of yesteryear. The pace of life is peaceful there, the environment and the landscapes have been preserved there with the “hundred mills” and the ponds which once served as a water point for consumption and everyday activities. In terms of activities, this island is quite diversified with its hikes, magnificent white sand beaches and these dwellings which are the only ones to titrate a rum at 59 degrees in Guadeloupe. You will necessarily find your happiness between nautical, pedestrian and cultural activities. In terms of services, the island is home to craftsmen with shops, restaurants with magnificent settings and diverse atmospheres. You will find banks, post offices, gas stations in each municipality. The island is quite large, so it is best to rent a car when you arrive in the town of Grand Bourg.
The island has many treasures to discover such as its three distilleries and their stories.
La Distillerie Bellevue (website link), free visit and tasting every day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (except December 25 and January 1)
La Distillerie Bielle (website link), free visit and tasting every day from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. except Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (high season).
La Distillerie Poisson (Père Labat) (website link), visit and free tasting from Monday to Saturday from 7am to 1pm.
Habitations Bellevue is a distillery located in the town of Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante.
The Habitation Poisson (Père Labat) and the Habitation Bielle are located in the town of Grand Bourg.
Access by boat
To access the island of Marie-Galante, you have two main accesses from Guadeloupe by sea transport. From the Bergevin maritime guard located in Pointe-à-Pitre and the Saint-François maritime station, you will have a 45 min to 1 hour crossing.
We left from Pointe-à-Pitre. For timetables and reservations, check the website of the company “Express des îles”. Other companies exist but we were satisfied with this one. The crossing can be hectic on the way out, plan for seasickness if no one is already prone to this case.
When you arrive in Grand-Bourg, it is best to rent a car because the island is large. (Plan ahead). Many local or more familiar companies (Hertz) exist on the island.
To access the Poisson distillery, from Grand Bourg, head towards the town of Saint-Louis by the coastal road (D206) and pay attention to the signs. You will have to turn right at the roundabout (D201) then left a few minutes later to enter the site of the Habitation du rhum Père Labat.
To access the other two distilleries, starting from Grand Bourg, join the N9, towards the town of Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante. Pay attention to the signs to direct you first to Distilleries Bielle and then to Distillerie Bellevue, taking the D202 road (on your left).
Itinerary
The Bielle Habitation
The distillery is located in the town of Grand Bourg.
Free visit and tasting every day from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. except Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Take the driveway and park before or behind the distillery. In normal times, you will have no difficulty in parking.
Next to the first car park is a souvenir and pottery shop. In particular, you will see a few craftsmen hard at work.
Continue your way towards the distillery, the visit is free on the estate and you can walk around to take pictures.
Take the path behind the tasting bar to enter the distillery. You will see the vats of period boilers used to transform cane juice into sugar.
Continue your way to arrive on the other side of the distillery where the remains of the old boilers, distillation columns that have been used in the history of this estate are exposed. You will also have a view of the barrels used to age Bielle rum.
A little history…….
In 1769, the Habitation Bielle estate was used to grow coffee. Jean-Pierre BIELLE employed 32 farmers on the territory.
In 1812, Jean-Pierre BIELLE died and his eldest son, Nicolas, resumed his activity.
In 1826, Nicolas BIELLE and his brother, Maximilien, joined forces to create a sugar refinery.
In 1847, Nicolas BIELLE died and after several successions, the BIELLE inheritance resulted in the benefit of Messrs ESPANET et Cie on August 26, 1857.
In 1868, the company was dissolved and the ESPANET heirs acquired the entire property comprising an area of 52 hectares.
In 1882, the property was taken over by Ernest BOURJAC, in compensation for debts owed by Fernand ESPANET, the last owner.
In 1923, the property was taken over by Georges BAZILE until 1950 when it was bought by Paul RAMEAUX.
Today, the Société d’Exploitation de la Distillerie Bielle takes care of the production of BIELLE rum and it is managed by the nephew of Paul RAMEAUX: Dominique THIERY.
You can also attend the crushing of the canes. The cane cutting season was starting when we visited.
Retrace your steps to orient yourself towards the tasting of the various rums produced by Habitation Bielle. A shop is also located on the estate to do your shopping.
Do not hesitate to browse their website to find out about Distillerie Bielle news.
In terms of advice,
Ø Traffic on the island of Marie-Galante : Prefer renting a vehicle because the island is quite large. You will enjoy driving on this island between the landscapes and the very fluid traffic, you will have no time constraints, a real pleasure.
Ø Free visit and tastings :
– Interest : 3 out of 5, the estate of this distillery has kept all its natural heritage (thick walls and old boilers). You can walk freely in the heart of the rum distillery to visit it. A tasting and purchase shop are located on the estate. During the period of the year (End of February to end of April), you will have the opportunity to observe and feel all the stages of the production of rum.
Ø Opening : Open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. except Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Miscellaneous : You can orient yourself towards the Habitation Bellevue, the Galleries trail or the East Coast and Galets trail.
Do not hesitate to post your comments or ask us for information on contact@domloisirsetculture.fr.
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OLIVIER Damien, your humble guide.
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