The market is near the village center and offers a practical introduction to La Ferme. Handcrafted goods, food and local specialties come together here. Visitors looking to get to know the place through its market offerings will find a range of things to see and sample.
Market, Crafts and Food
The market offers baskets, hats, mats and bags made from palm leaves or straw. The variety of items and materials gives local crafts a visible place in the market. A visit may also include conversations with vendors and sampling local specialties; it is best to ask locally which offerings will be available on the day.
The goods for sale also span several categories: mangoes, papayas, pineapples, bananas and passion fruit are offered alongside fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage and chilies. Fresh octopus, squid, tuna, swordfish and spiny lobster are also available. The market’s offerings described here therefore range from fruit and vegetables to fish and seafood. You can ask locally which products are actually available on the day of your visit.
The market is listed as operating on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Check these hours before your visit so you can plan your market visit accordingly.
Local History and Cuisine
Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at Stade de La Ferme during his visit to Rodrigues on October 16, 1989. This historic event links a specific place in La Ferme with a dated moment in Rodrigues’ history.
Cuisine is also part of the local character: octopus curry is one of the typical dishes to try in La Ferme. It complements the market produce with a prepared specialty and offers another perspective on local food culture.
Rodrigues as a Wider Travel Destination
La Ferme can also be viewed in the wider context of Rodrigues. The island is 18 km long and 8 km wide. For travelers who want to look beyond the village itself, the destination also offers landscapes, natural history and cultural traditions.
In the southwest of Rodrigues, the François Leguat Reserve lies in a limestone landscape with nine caves and sinkholes. Guided tours lead through a valley with hundreds of giant tortoises, tropical birds and tens of thousands of native trees. The Grande Caverne in the reserve features striking limestone formations, adding a geological dimension to the valley’s flora and fauna.
The museum at the François Leguat Reserve offers an insight into the natural history of Rodrigues across four galleries. Nature and landscape are presented from different perspectives: the geological formations of the caves, the valley’s flora and fauna, and their place in the island’s history.
Mont Limon offers further perspectives on the landscape. From there, visitors can see the geological relief of Rodrigues, agricultural terraces and the ocean. The marine environment is also part of the regional context: Rodrigues has ten marine protected areas.
The island’s cultural traditions include Sega Tambour, a traditional dance from Rodrigues. In 2017, it was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Thus, alongside nature and landscapes, Rodrigues is also home to vibrant cultural traditions.
Discover more destinations: Grande Montagne, Saint Gabriel, Terre Rouge, Petit Gabriel, Port Sud-Est.
For the broader travel overview: Rodrigues.
