Christophe Henocq, Knight of the National Order of Merit
Christophe Henocq was awarded the insignia of Knight of the National Order of Merit last Friday, in the presence of his family, colleagues and friends. This honour recognises more than 36 years dedicated to understanding, preserving and passing on the heritage of Saint Martin.
Born in 1965 in Cambrai and arriving in Saint-Martin at the age of two, Christophe Henocq studied science at the University of Bordeaux I, where he obtained, amongst other qualifications, a DEA in oceanography and marine sedimentology. Developing a passion for archaeology at an early age, he took part in numerous excavations before returning to the island in the early 1990s. There, he founded and directed the first archaeological museum, ‘Sur la trace des Arawaks’ (In the Footsteps of the Arawaks), and became one of the pioneers of archaeological research in Saint Martin.
Between 1992 and 2000, he led or co-ordinated several excavation campaigns at Hope Estate, Baie Rouge, Baie Orientale, Norman Estate and Anse des Pères. At Hope Estate, the research notably unearthed pottery dating from 550 BC, among the oldest known in the Caribbean.
But his commitment extends far beyond scientific research. He has always been dedicated to sharing this history with the public through guided tours, exhibitions, publications, educational resources and talks to schoolchildren. He also directs the Musée de Saint-Martin, develops heritage signage and founded the bilingual magazine *Heritage*. Since 2009, he has also served as the local representative for the Fondation du Patrimoine.
Within the Collectivité, between 2017 and 2025, he has supported heritage protection policies and been involved in training young people in the fields of tour guiding and archaeology.
Appointed a Knight of the National Order of Merit by decree of the President of the Republic on 15 May 2026, Christophe Henocq has thus been recognised for a career entirely dedicated to the heritage of Saint-Martin: seeking it out, preserving it, but above all passing it on to future generations.
As the Prefect recalled in his address, the National Order of Merit, established by General de Gaulle in 1963, honours those who, through their commitment and outstanding service, contribute to the moral, intellectual and cultural greatness of the nation. Cyrille Le Vély also expressed the hope that he might continue to pass on to young people the curiosity that has guided his life: “Instill in them a desire to learn about their island and to understand those who came before them. It is a matter of ensuring the next generation takes up the torch!”
