Camp-Perrin: An 18th-Century Heritage in Haiti
Camp-Perrin came into existence in the 18th century when three Perrin brothers arrived from France with the mission to study the possibilities of cultivating coffee, cotton, indigo, and exploiting dye wood, such as the campêche in Haiti.
After exploring the southern part of the island (then a French colony), one of the brothers settled in Jacmel, while the other two established themselves in the Cayes plain. Among the latter, Champlois and Saint-Aubin, it was mainly the latter who would make history by creating a plantation in Haut-Camp. Saint-Aubin, an infantry officer, developed vast plantations and obtained the exclusive trade of the aforementioned products. To meet the demands of the metropolis, he encouraged his fellow countrymen to settle in the vicinity, including Lamartinière, Davezac de Castera, and Moreau de Saint-Mëry. To protect his estate, Saint-Aubin built a military camp that would be named Camp-Perrin, a name that continues to this day. The former military camp was located at the current site of the Sainte-Anne church. Saint-Aubin, a humanist settler, was known for offering refuge to slaves seeking to escape the cruelty of other settlers. He eventually left Haiti to avoid having to fight against those who had served him. Until 1931, Camp-Perrin was considered a district of Les Cayes.
It was thanks to President Sténio Vincent during his tour in the South that Camp-Perrin was elevated to the rank of municipality. The Camp-Perrin region holds treasures to discover, such as the Davezac Canal, located around the La Distribution hotel and higher up towards Pic Macaya. As you conclude your day in Camp-Perrin, don’t miss the visit to the Connubois Cave, a true gem. If you are in good physical condition, you can explore the four most accessible chambers in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Forty-nine chambers have been identified, spanning 9 km. For this exploration, it’s essential to have spiked shoes and a helmet equipped with a powerful flashlight to deal with the surrounding darkness.
Camp-Perrin is a hidden treasure of Haiti, a place where history intertwines with nature to offer a unique experience to visitors. Come discover this historically rich place, its lush plantations, its underground treasures, and the heritage of the past that harmoniously blends with the modern life of this charming municipality.
