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History of Le Moule
The initial village, first mentionned in 1696 under the name of Portland, was settled on what is called l'Autre-Bord today. During the 18th century, when the village grew to a town as a consequence of the wealth brought by important sugar cane plantations, the city center was built on the left bank of the Audouin river. As this site opened widely to the Atlantic Ocean, important fortification and harbour works were undertaken. It is said, that the name of the city "Le Moule" comes from a mole protecting the harbour.
In spite of these defence works, and because the port offered little draught, defending the city was a difficult task. The English fleet attacked during the Anglo-Napoleonean war of 1809 and the city was saved only by the heroic fight of Gourbeyre, later promoted admiral and governor of Guadeloupe.
Le Moule had become the most important commercial harbour of Guadeloupe, a position envied by the growing influence of Pointe-à-Pitre. As a consequence, the harbour was closed several times by governors alleging as a pretext smuggler activities to take place there or tax evasions. On September 20th 1828, Le Moule finally got authorized to export goods from its port. Nearly all of the sugar cane, the sugar and the rum produced on Grande-Terre were shipped from Le Moule. Essential goods (coal, salt, fertilizers, spare parts...) arrived there.
In the first half of the 19yh century, 8 047 inhabitants were counted, 7 066 of whom were slaves. The white population had shown a growth during the French Revolution, when many noblemen took refuge in the region of Matignon. They will be called "Blancs-Matignons".
Sugar cane was, and still remains, the most important factor in the destiny of Moule. Some thirty "residences" (habitations) dominated the economical life of Guadeloupe around 1850, living in a closed economy by their production of cane, cocoa, cotton, spices and all kinds of food. The necessary workforce first came from volunteer settlers, then from slaves and after abolition of slavery in 1848 from immigrated Indians.
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This latter period sees the breakdown of several important estate owners, and as a consequence the concentration of land in the hands of only a few owners. At the same time the production was modernized and the old windmills were replaced by steam engines. Another selection is caused by the sugar crisis at the end of the 19th century. In 1901, only four sugar plants remain: Duchassaing, Zévalos, Marly and Gardel. Meanwhile, Le Moule has lost its position of first port of Guadeloupe to Pointe-à-Pitre and the city falls asleep.
The terrific hurricane of 1928 marks a new period of development. Governed by its mayor, Mr. Romana, the city is rebuilt and replanned - schools, roads, parks, the townhall, the church (declared historical monument) ...
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The politically unsteady period that followed left the memory of more or less honest and active mayors. Since 1971, major efforts have been made for the touristic development of the region.
But in September 1989, the hurricane Hugo destroys Le Moule. Today, the reconstructions are achieved, the last sugar refinery - Gardel - of continental Guadeloupe is located on the territory of Moule and town and country planning is undertaken by the present governing team.
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