The Marigot market, once considered the largest open-air market in the Caribbean, has struggled to recover since the passage of Cyclone Irma. The courageous women behind them are still standing.
Pascale, Nicole, Marie-Pierre, Nanou, Hortense, Mouche, Elsa, Claudine, Micka, Nicky, Isa, Mylène and Maria have another point in common than that of running a stand at the seafront market, determination. What immediately shines through meeting this group of women is the great solidarity that binds them together. Some have been working on the market for 20 years, 27 years, even 34 years, others have recently been present but the sorority reigns there more than ever. The current situation has only strengthened this cohesion, first Irma, then the riots linked to the PPRN and then the Covid pandemic which have severe consequences on tourism, the market is not dead but it survives. The women have resolved to manage among themselves given the cruel lack of attention of the Collectivity or even of the Tourist Office. They feel left behind when not long ago the market attracted thousands of visitors to Marigot. Saleswomen can boast in all modesty of being in good standing with contributions, taxes and even license fees ... when they have not benefited from any exemption and they cling to solidarity aid for the self-employed. in place recently. If today the market may seem obsolete from afar, it is not when you enter it, it is a bit of the DNA of Saint-Martin that is offered to you at the option of the stands dedicated to local crafts: T-shirts, watercolors, creations based on cinnamon or coconut, jewelry made with local materials (also for men), masks, pouches, acrylic on different media, tablecloths, foutas ... The women of the market constitute in themselves a pool of talent that you can find on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am to 12:30 pm on the Marigot seafront. They need tourists as much as locals. Long live the market._VX
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