Our story – Chez Honoré, Saint-François
Chez Honoré is more than a holiday destination — it’s a story of family and tradition. Founded by Athanase Honoré, this seaside retreat has grown from a local dream into a warm, welcoming home for travelers from around the world.
Our story – Chez Honoré, Saint-François
Chez Honoré is more than a holiday destination — it’s a story of family and tradition. Founded by Athanase Honoré, this seaside retreat has grown from a local dream into a warm, welcoming home for travelers from around the world.
Rooted in Guadeloupe’s natural beauty and culture, Chez Honoré continues to reflect the values of its founder: authenticity, hospitality, and love for the island. Every guest is welcomed as part of the family, invited to share in the spirit of Anse à la Gourde and the simple pleasures of Caribbean living.
Rooted in Guadeloupe’s natural beauty and culture, Chez Honoré continues to reflect the values of its founder: authenticity, hospitality, and love for the island. Every guest is welcomed as part of the family, invited to share in the spirit of Anse à la Gourde and the simple pleasures of Caribbean living.
A life built with hard work and heart
Warm, determined, and endlessly hardworking, Athanase Honoré built his professional life from humble beginnings through sheer will and perseverance — a journey that commands both respect and admiration.
From a young age, Athanase showed remarkable maturity and responsibility. He attended school until the age of twelve, walking more than five kilometers each day from his home. Before sunrise, he would already be at work caring for the family’s animals — leading the oxen to water, milking the cows, feeding the chickens and pigs. These demanding chores often left him exhausted and late to class, where he faced punishments and falling behind in his lessons. The early loss of his father made things even harder, leaving his mother to manage the household alone.
A cane cutter at 13
At just thirteen, Athanase began working as a sugarcane cutter. Through persistence and savings — and by selling the bulls he raised himself — he eventually bought a plot of land near the Saint-François market square. There, he built his first restaurant: Restaurant Honoré.
Six years later, his ambition led him to open a two-star hotel, expanding his vision of local hospitality. In 1972, his culinary excellence was recognized with the “Bonne Table Créole” award from the Guadeloupe Tourist Office. Throughout this adventure, his wife Marie-Line stood beside him, working tirelessly to grow their family business.
Six years later, his ambition led him to open a two-star hotel, expanding his vision of local hospitality. In 1972, his culinary excellence was recognized with the “Bonne Table Créole” award from the Guadeloupe Tourist Office. Throughout this adventure, his wife Marie-Line stood beside him, working tirelessly to grow their family business.
From their union came three children — Aurélie, Nicolas, and Christophe — who inherited their parents’ passion for authenticity and hospitality. Over the years, Restaurant Honoré became a true local institution, welcoming renowned guests including Joe Dassin, Coluche, and Henri Salvador. The restaurant appeared in press articles, photo features, and even postcards celebrating Guadeloupean culture.
In 1984, Athanase opened his second restaurant at Anse à la Gourde, continuing to share his love for good food and warm hospitality with all who visited. His legacy lives on today through Chez Honoré, where the same family spirit and island generosity continue to welcome guests from around the world.
In 1984, Athanase opened his second restaurant at Anse à la Gourde, continuing to share his love for good food and warm hospitality with all who visited. His legacy lives on today through Chez Honoré, where the same family spirit and island generosity continue to welcome guests from around the world.
