Edgar Clerc Museum

Museum - Le Moule

This museum, run by the French departmental government, bears the name of the archeologist who discovered the Morel site, which contained vestiges of the Amerindian presence on the island, in particular the Huecoid people at around 500 B.C.E. Edgar Clerc donated his collection to the Conseil Général (general council) in 1977.  The building, designed by great Guadeloupe architect Jack Berthelot for this landscape, surrounded by magnificent grounds, was inaugurated on August 4, 1984. Devoted to the study of Amerindian life on Grande Terre through several sites—essentially Morel, Anse Sainte-Marguerite, Anse à la Gourde, and La Désirade—the museum showcases Guadeloupe’s pre-Columbian heritage through a diverse collection of objects testifying to the lives of the Amerindian peoples (Huecoid, Saladoid, Troumassoid, Arawak, Caribbean, etc.). Visitors may admire pottery, terracotta vases, wooden amulets, burial necklaces, jewelry, ritual objects, decorated rooms full of symbolism, shell and stone jewelry, and tools, and explore archaeological finds relating to village sites and burial rites, according to various themes (Amerindian sites, fabrication of vases and objects, eating habits, etc.). The museum continues to receive donations and make new acquisitions. Museum staff are happy to provide additional information, or focus their tours on certain topics, such as the excavation of an Amerindian site, body aesthetics, the fabrication of ceramic vases, petroglyphs and stone-work, Amerindian villages, cultivation and consumption of manioc, etc. Finally, the Amerindian Garden, free and open to the public, may be toured on specific mornings with a gardener-guide. The site participates in several events a year, including “La Nuit Européenne des Musées“ (“European Night at the Museum”) in May, and “National Archaeology Days“ in June. Guided tours by appointment only. Free admittance.
Route de la Rosette - Tel. 0590 23 57 57 / 0590 23 57 43, musee.edgar.clerc@cgc971.fr

Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.