La Ferme

Get to know La Ferme through its market, local specialties and a precisely dated historic site. The market is near the village center and brings together handicrafts and food. For planning your trip, these offer different points of interest: the market as a glimpse of local goods and encounters, and Stade de La Ferme as the site of a significant event on Rodrigues.

Market, Handicrafts and Food

La Ferme’s market scene includes handmade baskets, hats, mats and bags made from palm leaves or straw. It also features fruits such as mangoes, papayas, pineapples, bananas and passion fruits, as well as fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage and chilies. The market’s food offerings also include fresh octopus, squid, tuna, swordfish and lobster. The market therefore ranges from handmade items to fresh food.

A visit to the market can also include conversations with vendors and sampling local specialties. The market is listed as open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. on both days. Check the current schedule before your visit. This lets you include the market in your plans without relying solely on the stated hours.

Octopus curry is one of the typical dishes you can try in La Ferme. It offers a culinary perspective on octopus, which is also among the market offerings described here. If you want to consider local cuisine and market produce together, it provides a concrete link between a named ingredient and a typical dish.

A Historic Site in La Ferme

Stade de La Ferme is associated with a precisely dated event: Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass there during his visit to Rodrigues on October 16, 1989. This historic connection differs from the activity at the market in having a clear date and being linked to the Pope’s visit to the island. In La Ferme, visitors can therefore find both a market near the village center and a named site associated with this historic event.

Rodrigues in a Broader Context

Rodrigues is 18 kilometers long and 8 kilometers wide. The François Leguat Reserve lies in southwestern Rodrigues, in a limestone landscape with nine caves and sinkholes. The reserve offers guided tours through a valley with hundreds of giant tortoises, tropical birds and tens of thousands of native trees. The Grande Caverne in the reserve features impressive limestone formations. Four galleries in the museum offer insights into the natural history of Rodrigues. These themes of nature and history provide a distinct impression of the wider destination.

From Mont Limon, you can enjoy views of Rodrigues’ geological terrain, agricultural terraces and the ocean. The island’s culture is also part of the wider picture: Sega Tambour is a traditional dance from Rodrigues and was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2017. The Rodrigues region also has ten marine protected areas. Together, these examples show different aspects of the destination—landscape, natural history and cultural tradition—alongside the specific market and historical connections in La Ferme.

Discover more destinations: Grande Montagne, Petit Gabriel, Port Sud-Est, Terre Rouge, Saint Gabriel.

Go to the broader travel overview: Rodrigues.