OUR HISTORY
Martinique
Cradle of agricultural rum
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 a plant that also benefits from its particularly favourable hot, humid tropical climate.
1852
Birth of Homère Clément
In La Trinité, Homère Clément was born four years after the abolition of slavery. He is the son of a tailor and the grandson of freed slaves.
1867
The takeover of the Acajou Estate
Facing significant financial difficulties, Françoise Maillet decided to close the sugar mill of the Acajou Estate, and then went bankrupt in 1886. The Colonial Land Credit then took possession of the property to settle its debts.
1885
Homère Clément’s Success
After studying medicine in Paris, Homère Clément returned to his native island in 1885 and established himself as a physician in Le François. The following year, he became the town’s mayor and later served as a general councilor and deputy. A model of social success, he exemplifies the emergence of an Afro-descendant elite in the 19th century.
1887
Acquisition
Homère Clément became the owner of the Acajou Estate, which he bought at auction. He moved into the main house with his family and became a sugar cane planter.
1917
The First World War
As the war caused an increase in the demand for alcohol, Homère Clément undertook the construction of a distillery on the land of the Acajou Estate, on the site of the former sugar refinery.
1923
Succession
After the death of Homère Clément, his son Charles succeeded him and devoted himself to developing the distillery. A talented engineer and businessman, he modernized the production facilities, founded a distillers’ union, and promoted Martinique through its rums.
1944
The creation of the brand
After marketing its rums under the name “Acajou” in the 1930s, Charles Clément gave his name to his already well-known rum. Brand strategy, the use of emerging advertising, and expansion to international markets made Clément a major name in rum.
1946
Old rum
The first ageing cellar built in 1946 was completed over time by five others, bearing the names of members of the Clément family. Home to more than 12,000 ageing barrels, Rhum Clément is now the leading producer of aged rum in Martinique.
1973
Expansion
After the death of Charles Clément, his sons worked to develop the company: Georges-Louis ran the distillery in Martinique, while Jean-José, based in Bordeaux, marketed the rums in France and developed export markets.
1986
Acquisition
After three generations of the Clément family, the family story continues with Yves and Bernard Hayot, who took over the company. They gave it the name L’Habitation Clément, in honor of the family that owned it for a century, and continued the international development of the brand.
1988
Opening to the public
The rich history and beauty of the estate make the Clément Habitation a key destination for rum and Martinican heritage. In 1988, it opened its doors to the public, showcasing its heritage and further contributing to the prestige of Martinique rum.
1991
Diplomacy
Hosting the Franco-American summit between François Mitterrand and George Bush on 14 March 1991, at the end of the Gulf War, the Clément Habitation was in the global spotlight for a single day.
1992
Remarkable garden
Created on the industrial wasteland of the former distillery, this new park houses a collection of plants from different tropical regions of the world and received the “Remarkable Garden” label in 2015.
1996
Historical monument
The recognition of the heritage value of the Clément Habitation was manifested by the registration of the house as a historical monument, followed by a classification in 1996. The same year, Martinique’s agricultural rum became a Controlled Designation of Origin (AOC).
2001
The Blue Cane
A centuries-old drink, rum was revitalised with the creation of The Blue Cane: a vintage, single-variety white rum that required months of testing and tasting. Since then, each year, a new vintage has been created, containing new aromas in a new presentation.
2005
The Clément Foundation
The creation of a corporate foundation institutionalizes and amplifies the ambition to enhance and promote the talents of the-sea in the field of contemporary art. Hosted at the heart of the Habitation, it naturally takes its name.
2018
Production building
A new bottling plant was constructed at the Habitation to package all Clément rums.
2023
New spaces
Having become a must-see destination for spirits tourism, the Clément Habitation welcomes more and more visitors every day of the year. To give them the experience of rum, a workshop for the senses opens its doors in the shop refurbished into a product interpretation area.