The Carénage district

Landscape - Pointe-à-Pitre

Today changing the Carénage district is marked by its history because of its maritime vocation and its prestigious past sugar with the old factory of Darboussier. Commercial space of all kinds, a reputation of "hot district", crossed daily by the flood of vehicles that go to the city center, it  meets idleness and conviviality, traditions and architectural success with the unavoidable presence of the Mémorial ACTe, nostalgia and new ambitions thanks to the important project Karukera Bay. That's what makes it a specific neighborhood. The district of Carénage was born in the XIXth and XXth century. Away from the old town limited by the Vatable canal, a few steps from the Camille Desmoulins place, the districts of Bas-de-la-Source and Raspail, in the south-east of the city, formed with other districts to the north, the suburbs of Pointe-à-Pitre. The increasing activity of the city and the port and the opening of the Darboussier factory in 1867, which employed up to 700 people for what is considered the highest remuneration in the region, attracted an increasing number of workers. The latter sought to settle near her place of work. The period of great works that followed the cyclone of 1928 caused a new influx of candidates. The marshlands on the outskirts were occupied, without being properly sanitized. With summary materials, the newcomers built their homes as best they could. The district remained thus until the launch, in 2000, of an operation of Resorption of the Insalubrious Habitat (RHI). This renovation is visible on the coast, in the “Bas de la Source“ and “Cipolin“, but is still ongoing at the Zamia Court. The works, which are being done gradually, have brought sanitary conditions, yet many constraints persist, relocation of families, indivisions, urban rules responding to the wishes of the municipality in terms of density, need of 3-floors buildings. This led to the development of several spaces facilitating urban diversity with rental housing, home ownership, rehabilitation to meet the demands of the population, without losing the soul, the trace, the morphology that had inherited yhe district from the factory Darboussier.
Leaving the center of Pointe-à-Pitre, at the Pont Vatable (Vatable Bridge), we observe the beautiful stone vault that supports the rock of the Massabielle Morne, then take the streets Dubouchage and Raspail. The rue Raspail, which leads to the old factory, is lined with traditional houses typical of “Habitat Pointois“ and small shops. At No. 42, birthplace of Roger Bambuck, former world record holder in the 100m and former Secretary of State for Youth and Sports. In this street was born Bernard Lamitié, champion of France triple jump. We arrive on "Lakou Lentandans" and its two rows of terraced houses separated by a courtyard. Beautifully repainted small wooden houses bordering on brand new buildings, abandoned areas and ruined houses patiently await a better fate. Several beautiful frescoes executed by famous graffiti artists remind us that Pointe-à-Pitre strongly encourages the Art of Graffiti and Street Art. The day, shops, “lolos“ and bars are busy in a popular atmosphere, all generations. You can walk safely on the sea side, where the district has retained its maritime vocation with its forms of refit for the maintenance and refit of boats, and sometimes their dismantling. At night, illegal activities and bad encounters can unfortunately also exist. From the old factory only one building remains. All around, sports equipment was made available to workers and residents. The basketball team of the Amical Club Darboussier (ACD) continues the story. The Memorial ACTe Caribbean center of expressions and memory of the slavery trade, was built behind the old factory. Parallel to rue Raspail, Chemin Neuf street alternates modern residences with traditional huts that continue to give a charm to the neighborhood. Education and culture are present with the Raphael Cipolin elementary school and Renée Ballet-Hachon library.