Le Moule is directly on the Atlantic Ocean which eased for many years (1828 and 1901) the exportation by sea directly to Europe without going through Pointe-à -Pitre. The industry of cotton, coffee, sugar, and rum flourished in the region. To protect this place, a fortification was erected and the city experienced an incredible economic boom. The English attacks, years of bad harvests, and the cyclones gave challenges, weakened its defense and eventually, the municipality lost its economic status. Today, on the waterfront, you can find remains of the old battery as well as ruins of a factory.

The village is relatively quiet. Although the town of Le Moule is somewhat away from the other major tourist centers of Grande-Terre, we were charmed by the variety of possible discoveries, both natural and cultural, with even less traffic. In fact, Le Moule offers a good representation of several typical Guadeloupean elements to get to know: Archeology with its Edgar Clerc Museum, the church, the hikes including that of the Porte d’Enfer, the public market with original products, public places including the ruins of the Wizosky factory, the beaches of the L’autre Bord or the Azilées in the Ouatibi-tibi park. The Gardel sugar refinery can be visited and the history of slavery can be told at the Habitation Zevellos. You will need a car to get from one place to another.

Like every municipality, the city center includes the church and the town hall next door. Here, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church is charming. Its 1825-1850 reconstruction retains its original 17th century facade with its four Ionic columns. The niches have unfortunately lost their statues over time. The concrete bell tower erected in 1930 is, like the church, classified as a historical monument.

With hues of turquoise, yellow and white, the town hall of the city is an eye-catcher. « Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité »  indicated on the facade translates to “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”. Notice the coat of arms. You can also read: MENS AGITAT MOLEM (Mind moves matter) and City of Le Moule.

For a different setting, opting for part of your trip through the interior lands, the Grands Fonds, is an option.

Ruins / Espace Wizosky – le Moule

When you arrive in the village, you will probably be intrigued by the ruins on the edge of the ocean. Today, it is a public square located on the site of a former factory. Built in 1807, the building changed hands and functions a few times. It was a plant, a lemonade production factory, and a warehouse used for the importation of plants, but it was bought by the municipality following the passage of the cyclone of 1928. The building was then transformed into a school. However, today, only roofless stone walls can be found on the site.

Abri Patate / Potato Shelter

We completely failed to find the Abri Patate au Moule. I don’t remember seeing any signs on the road either, but hey, if you’re lucky, why not see this relatively recent historical discovery (2003) of a rock shelter? Prehistoric engravings have been found there. Potato reference here is not to the vegetable, but to the potato bush with purple flowers.

There is so little information, I even wonder if it is accessible to the public.

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