OUR HISTORY
Martinique
Cradle of Rhum Agricole
It was Christopher Columbus who introduced sugar cane to Martinique in 1493, on his second voyage to the New World. The island’s rich soils are ideal for the development of aplant that also benefits from its particularly favorable hot, humid tropical climate.
1848
L’abolition de l’esclavage
L’abolition de l’esclavage est prononcée le 22 mai 1848 à la Martinique. À la tête du domaine de l’Acajou, future Habitation Clément, Françoise Maillet s’associe à ses anciens esclaves pour faire tourner la sucrerie.
1852
Naissance d’Homère Clément
A La Trinité, Homère Clément naît quatre ans après l’abolition de l’esclavage. Il est le fils d’un artisan tailleur et petit-fils d’esclaves affranchis.
1867
La reprise du domaine de l’Acajou
Confrontée à d’importantes difficultés financières, Françoise Maillet décide de fermer sa sucrerie du domaine de l’Acajou, puis fait faillite en 1886. Le Crédit foncier colonial prendra alors possession de la propriété pour régler ses dettes.
1885
La réussite d’Homère Clément
Après des études de médecine à Paris, Homère Clément revient sur son île natale en 1885 et s’installe comme médecin au François. Devenu maire de la commune l’année suivante, il sera aussi conseiller général et député. Modèle de réussite sociale, il témoigne de l’émergence d’une élite afro-descendante au 19e siècle.
1887
Acquisition
Homère Clément becomes owner of Domaine de l’Acajou.
1917
Adaptation
Creation of the distillery to meet the alcohol needs of the 1st World War. In 1988, it ceased to operate and was moved to the Simon distillery.
1923
The estate
Death of Homère Clément. He was succeeded by his son Charles, who devoted himself to developing the distillery.
1944
The evolution
First publications featuring the Clément brand, successor to the Acajou brand created in the 30s.
1946
Production
Construction of the first ageing cellar, followed by five more. With over 12,000 barrels in ageing, Rhum Clément is now Martinique’s leading producer of Rhum Vieux.
1973
Expansion
Death of Charles Clément. His sons worked to develop the company: Georges Louis ran the distillery in Martinique, while in Bordeaux Jean-José marketed the rums in France and developed export markets.
1986
Acquisition
Takeover by Martinique-based GBH. It was named Habitation Clément in honor of the family that owned it for a century. The brand continues its international expansion.
1988
The grand opening
Habitation Clément opens to the public.
1991
Diplomacy
The Habitation Clement hosts the Franco-American summit between François Mitterrand and George Bush at the end of the Gulf War
1992
Remarkable garden
Creation of a new park to be awarded the Jardins remarquables label in 2015
1996
Historical monument
The main house of the Habitation is a listed historic monument. In the same year, Martinique’s agricultural rum became an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (A.O.C).
2001
La Canne Bleue
Creation of Canne Bleue: a vintage single-varietal white rum.
2005
The Clément Foundation
Creation of the Fondation d’entreprise Clément to support GBH’s cultural sponsorship projects.
2018
Production building
Construction of a new bottling plant at Habitation Clement. Now, all Clement rhums are bottled and packaged on site
2022
New spaces
Creation of a new boutique and tour circuit at Habitation Clément to enhance the visitor experience.