Christopher Columbus, Maria Galanda & Père Labat Rum: The Story Behind Marie-Galante

Aug 9

2 min read

Updated: Aug 18

Ready for a feel-good escape? Here’s a simple, eco-minded way to enjoy this place at its best.

Learn the story of Marie-Galante’s name—from Amerindian roots and Columbus’s 1493 voyage to the island’s sugarcane heritage and the famous Père Labat rum still produced today.

Before Europeans: Amerindian names and early presence

Long before European arrival, Marie-Galante was inhabited by Amerindian peoples—first the Arawaks and later the Caribs.

According to historical sources summarized on Wikipedia, the island was known by several Amerindian names, including Aïchi (also cited as Aulinagan), meaning ‘land of cotton’ in the Carib language, and Touloukaera, meaning ‘island abundant in touloulou crabs.’

These names reflect how closely early island life was tied to nature, coastal resources, and local materials.

3 November 1493: Columbus and the name ‘Maria Galanda’

On his second voyage, Christopher Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo) reached the island on 3 November 1493.

In his logbook, he recorded the name ‘Maria Galanda,’ after his flagship (the admiral’s ship). Some sources also associate the ship’s name with ‘Santa Maria.’

Over time, ‘Maria Galanda’ evolved into the name we know today: Marie-Galante.

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Sugarcane, windmills, and the making of an island identity

From the 17th century onward, French colonization transformed Marie-Galante into a major sugar-producing island.

The island’s fertile limestone plateau proved ideal for sugarcane cultivation, and the many windmills still standing across the landscape remain powerful symbols of this era.

Père Labat and the rum legacy that lives on

Père Labat is a name closely linked to rum history in the French West Indies.

In Marie-Galante, the Poisson distillery is famously associated with ‘Père Labat’ rum—still produced and sold today, and considered one of the island’s iconic spirits.

If you’re exploring the island, a distillery visit is one of the best ways to connect heritage with living craftsmanship.

How to experience this story on the island

To connect the dots between history and today’s island life, combine a heritage visit with a distillery stop.

Heritage stop: Habitation Murat eco-museum (sugarcane era and historical context)
Rum stop: Poisson Distillery (Père Labat)
Scenic stop: windmill spotting on a slow island drive