Christophe Henocq named Knight of France’s National Order of Merit

Christophe Henocq has been named a Knight of France’s National Order of Merit. Prefect Cyrille Le Vély presented the distinction during an 18 September ceremony at the Préfecture, recognising Henocq’s work on Saint-Martin’s historical and archaeological heritage.

Henocq, who arrived in Saint-Martin from France at age two, began archaeological work on the island in the early 1990s. He established and directed Saint-Martin’s first archaeological museum, and coordinated excavations between 1992 and 2000 at Hope Estate, Baie Rouge, Baie Orientale, Norman Estate and Anse des Pères.

Excavations at Hope Estate found pottery dating to about 550 BC. Henocq has also worked with the Fondation du patrimoine since 2009 and worked for the Collectivité of Saint-Martin on heritage policies and initiatives from 2017 to 2025.

During the ceremony, Henocq said the recognition also belonged to volunteers, researchers, teachers, colleagues and residents who had worked to document and protect Saint-Martin’s history.