Begging Mayor Square

Landscape - La Désirade

This central square is overlooked by the town hall, the church of Notre-Dame du Bon Secours, the monument to Victor Schœlcher (who prepared the decree abolishing slavery that was adopted on April 27, 1848), the monument to lost sailors, the post office, and, below, the newly renovated library. It owes its name to Joseph Daney de Marcillac who, after the hurricane of 1928, made every effort to find funding for the island’s reconstruction. The square is the setting for many events, particularly during the Sailors’ Festival (“Fête des Marins Pêcheurs”), which takes place annually on August 16.