The fame of Le François has spread far beyond Martinique's borders, thanks to the meeting between Presidents Bush and Mitterrand at the Habitation Clément in 1991.
This part of the Atlantic Coast was, perhaps, the first place frequented by the "Francois", settled as early as 1620 among the Caribs, long before Belain d'Esnambuc and his companions arrived on the other side of the island (Caribbean Coast).
Essentially agricultural, Le François is neverthelessrenowned for its belt of breakers, its many islets and its fonds blancs (sandy shallows in the open sea), the best known of which is certainly the "Josephine Bathtub".
Le François is a commune where people practice with fervor and passion, the round yawl, Martinique's traditional sailing craft. It's also the birthplace of Haute Taille, traditional Martinican dance.
A detour is in order at the Habitation Clément 18th-century dwelling, listed as a historic monument: former distillery, painting gallery, landscaped park...