Gardel Factory

Local Product - Le Moule

Built in 1870, the Gardel Factory is the only sugar-processing unit in continental Guadeloupe (the other is on Marie-Galante Island). It services nearly 2,600 planters and recovers all parts of the sugar cane for use. It has a sugar cane growing area of nearly 1,000 hectares and an industrial unit (the sugar factory). The canes are delivered in general from February until May. The factory produces approximately 70,000 metric tons of sugar each year (raw sugar for refinement, brown pure cane table sugar, called Special Sugars). In addition to sugar, the factory produces molasses (particularly for the fabrication of industrial rum) and bagasse (the plant residue), which it delivers to the bagasse-coal-fired Power Plant to fuel the boilers that produce the steam and electricity necessary to run the plant. Guided tours on request.  Sales and tastings at the “Kaz à sucre.”