Boury

Boury is a communal section in the Southern Department of Haiti. It is the first communal section of Torbeck.

Neighboring sections

Northwest 2e Bérault	North Fonfrède, CAY	Northeast 1re Bourdet, CAY
West Ville de Arniquet	1re Bourry Torbeck	〰️East〰️ Caribbean Sea
Southwest 1re Barbois, PTS	South 1re Tapion, SJS	〰️Southeast〰️ Baie des Cayes

About[]

Colorful home by a canal, with a tin roof and flowering shrubs in bloom,

Bourry is located in the southern part of Torbeck. It occupies a broad coastal plain stretching toward the Baie des Cayes. Approximately 3,095 households are distributed across the section, forming a network of rural settlements interwoven with cultivated farmland.

The territory extends from inland agricultural localities such as Godefroy, Guilerne, La Force, and Formon toward the shoreline near Pointe Bourry and Bourry Beach. Most people live in houses lined up along the main road (Route 205), which is the primary path people use to travel between the small local villages, the nearby urban center Ville de Torbeck, and the bigger city of Les Cayes.

Agriculture forms the backbone of local life. People who live there describe it as a busy, green area where almost everyone makes their living by growing food or selling goods in small markets. When you look around, you see a patchwork of farm plots and small clusters of homes, especially around the busy crossroads at Carrefour Méridien. It is a place where the land and the people are very closely connected.

While the soil is great for growing food, being so close to the water and rivers makes the area risky. Because the land is so flat, it is very easy for the area to flood during big storms, like when Hurricane Matthew hit in 2016. Even though the community struggles with basic needs like reliable electricity and steady water for their crops, Boury stays an incredibly important area for producing the food that feeds the rest of the region.

History[]

Praslin[]

Praslin is a small area within 1re Bourry near Torbeck that played a major role in Haiti’s history. Back in the early 1800s, this land was a plantation owned by ³Charles Rivière-Hérard, then a squadron leader in the Haitian army. This "farm" became the secret headquarters for a plan to change the entire country’s government.

On January 27, 1843, Hérard started a rebellion there against ²President Jean-Pierre Boyer, who had been in power for a long time. At Praslin, the rebels wrote down their official complaints and goals in a famous document called a "Manifesto." This act officially started the Revolution of 1843. This local uprising quickly spread across the country, encouraging other leaders like Philibert Laraque in the city of Jérémie to join the fight just a few days later on January 31.

Because of what happened at Praslin, this quiet rural neighborhood became a very important site for Haitian politics. The events that started on this plantation eventually led to the fall of the government and a total shift in how the country was run. This small coastal village in the south helped change the course of Haiti's national history forever.

Geography[]

Boury occupies a low-lying coastal plain in the southern part of the commune of Torbeck, stretching toward the sandy and shallow waters of the Baie des Cayes. The terrain is predominantly flat to gently sloping, with a gradual rise toward the western foothills near Arniquet, while the eastern and southern portions remain close to sea level along the shoreline.

The soil here is rich and deep, which makes it perfect for the big, organized farm plots you can see from the sky. Small streams flow from the north down to the bay, providing plenty of water for crops. However, because the land is so flat and full of water, it easily turns into a flood zone whenever heavy rains or tropical storms hit the area.

Neighborhoods[]

Code	Name		Population	Places
BRY	Bourry		27,156	Ca Louis, Carrefour Méridien, Cassagne-Finca, Chalette, Duverni, Formon, Godefroy, Grassette, Guillerme, Houck, Jauge, La Force, Mineur, Nan Goyave, Nan Redon, Poteau, Poterie, Praslin, Soulé, Welsh.

Soils and setting[]

Along the coast near Bourry-sur-Mer and Pointe Bourry, the land transitions into sandy shoreline zones and shallow coastal waters. Community footage and reporting highlight an active coastal environment where people make their living by fishing and maintaining small-scale marine access. Environmental pressures are locally significant. Recent coverage has pointed to illegal sand extraction along parts of the Torbeck coastal plain, raising concerns about shoreline erosion and ecosystem degradation.

Settlement zones such as Godefroy, Guilerne, Formon, La Force, and Houck are interwoven with farmland and lined up along Route Departementale 205. If you were to walk through these areas, you would see a busy daily rhythm of people moving between their crops, the beach, and the small shops along the roadside.

Because Bourry is so flat and sits right on the water, it is a bit of a "double-edged sword." The land is amazing for growing food, but it is also very vulnerable to disasters. Big storms like Hurricane Matthew in 2016 caused a lot of damage because there is no high ground to protect the farms and houses from the rising sea and flooding rivers.

Along Rue Saint-Joseph, a neighborhood stretch leading into the , a passerby walks past Lakou Boston Hotel and Bar-Restaurant — Along Rue Saint-Joseph, a neighborhood stretch leading into the town center, a passerby walks past Lakou Boston Hotel and Bar-Restaurant

Economy[]

The economy of 1re Bourry is built almost entirely on farming because the land is flat, easy to water, and has very rich soil. Most people who live there spend their days growing crops on small plots of land that stretch from the inland villages all the way down to the coast. Farming represents the principal livelihood activity; it is how families eat and how they earn money by selling their harvests in the bigger markets of Torbeck and Les Cayes.

Because the area sits right along a main road, many residents also make a living by selling goods or trading along the roadside. This road acts like a bridge that connects the quiet farms to the busier parts of the region. This makes it easy for trucks to pick up food and move it to other cities, which keeps the local economy moving and ensures that the farmers have a steady way to get paid for their hard work.

Down by the ocean, life is a little different but still tied to nature. People living near the beach supplement their farming by fishing in the sea to provide food for their families and items to trade. Recently, some people have started digging up sand from the coast to sell for construction. While this brings in some fast cash, it is a controversial business because it can hurt the environment and damage the beaches that the community relies on for protection and fishing.

Ultimately, 1re Bourry is a very important "food basket" for the area because it connects the rich inland soil with the resources of the sea. Its entire way of life is structured around using the land, having access to the water, and staying connected to the main transport routes. It remains a traditional rural community where hard work in the fields and on the shoreline is the heartbeat of every household.

Community school of Maillard, a neighborhood of Bourry.

Infrastructure[]

While the national highway coming from Les Cayes doesn’t actually go through the town, Route Departementale 205 functions as its principal transportation artery and is widely regarded locally as an extension of the RN-2 corridor. This corridor provides access to at least three small local markets and one larger market. Route 205 and feeder roads connect interior localities to this main axis.

Community accounts describe ongoing challenges in access to potable water, with no fully reliable public distribution system across the section. Residents often depend on local sources and improvised solutions, particularly during dry periods. Electrical infrastructure is partially present, with visible utility poles and wiring along sections of the road network; however, supply remains inconsistent. Many households rely on alternative charging arrangements or travel to nearby areas for stable electricity.

In the health sector, Bourry has two health centers serving the local population. However, residents living farther from the main road often struggle to access these facilities due to transportation costs that are considered high relative to farming incomes. As a result, despite the presence of formal health structures, many inhabitants continue to rely on traditional medicine practices for routine treatment.

Mission-supported services — such as the medical clinic established by Fondation Missions La Bible Parle in nearby Tiverny and long-running feeding programs for schoolchildren — provide additional health and nutrition support accessible to families in and around Bourry, supplementing the formal health centers located within the section.

The educational situation is marked by limited infrastructure coverage. Although approximately 80% of young people are enrolled in school, the number of school buildings remains low, and existing classrooms are often described as being in poor physical condition. Schools within the section generally provide instruction through the sixth year of fundamental education, after which students must travel toward Ville de Torbeck or Les Cayes for continued studies.

Culture[]

Small concrete structure with a tin roof and shaded porch.

Community accounts describe Boury as a relatively calm and rural section, with most people spending their time farming, fishing, or running small shops. The area is often characterized as peaceful, with residents emphasizing social cohesion and local stability.

Market activity plays an important role in community interaction, with multiple markets along the road corridor serving as gathering spaces for trade and communication. These markets connect agricultural production from inland parcels to consumers within Torbeck and the broader Les Cayes region.

Religion is a big part of daily life, and people there respect many different beliefs. You will see many evangelical churches, but people also practice Catholicism, Vodou, and other traditions freely. This mix of faiths is part of what makes the community's social fabric strong. Another way people connect is through sports, especially at the local football field where matches and tournaments bring everyone together, giving the young people something active and fun to do.

Furry friend grazing on a grassy yard, pausing beside a concrete wall and glancing back toward the camera.

Local organization is particularly evident among farmers, who form associations to coordinate agricultural activity and mutual support. However, these groups often struggle because they lack strong leaders or a long-term plan, which makes it hard for them to reach bigger goals. While the spirit of helping each other is there, the organizations themselves need more structure to really make a difference. This is one of the main areas where the community could grow and improve in the future.

Down by the water at Bourry-sur-Mer, the ocean provides extra food and jobs through fishing, which helps families who also farm the land. However, there is a growing worry about people taking too much sand from the beaches. While selling sand makes money now, it could eventually ruin the shoreline and hurt the environment. Even with these challenges and environmental pressures, Boury remains a productive agricultural section structurally integrated into the Torbeck commune.

Manicured green space at Eden Haiti, featuring neatly trimmed ornamental shrubs set against a backdrop of lush tropical vegetation and palm trees.

Tourism[]

Tourism in 1re Bourry is modest but more active than a purely rural profile would suggest. It’s not a place with giant fancy resorts, but it is great for people who want a quiet, natural vibe. Because the main road runs near the coast, travelers often visit coastal access points like Bourry Beach or Gaby Beach to enjoy the peace and the sound of the ocean. Review language often frames the area as calm, peaceful, and naturally scenic, with the sea close enough to hear and feel even when standing near riverside or garden spaces. There is even a place called Eden Haïti, located near Houck by the shoreline, described as a tranquil, well-maintained garden environment where visitors come for “quiet time with nature,” ocean sounds, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Accommodations in and around the Bourry–Torbeck corridor range from small guesthouses to mid-scale hotel compounds with courtyards and pools. Villa Mimosa is the most prominent name in the area’s review footprint, often described as quiet, safe, and welcoming, with a large yard and swimming pool; however, visitor experiences are mixed, with some praising cleanliness, comfort, and value while others mention maintenance issues, service inconsistencies, or listings that did not match expectations. Other lodging options noted in the same wider corridor include Hotel Rique Luca in Valère, described as charming with warm hospitality and a “haven of tranquility” pool setting, alongside Palm Guest House, Dodine Reception & Hotel in Charlette, Amiral Bay Hotel closer to the shore, and corridor properties such as La Relève Hotel Bar Resto and Vetivers Hills restaurant-hotel inland near Carrefour Calumette. In general, these stays are framed as practical and peaceful, with variability in upkeep and service depending on the property.

Dining and nightlife form a visible part of the visitor experience along the road. Small venues like Josette Bar (Duverny/Tiverny) are described as compact places offering Haitian dishes alongside Quebecois-style options, while Vanise Bar Restaurant stands out in reviews for fair prices, generous portions, and a quiet sea-view setting—often compared favorably to other restaurants along the south coast. Relax Bar in Valère is described as “very relaxing,” and nightlife options such as Regular Night Club are noted for a festive ambiance and cultural activity. Additional establishments referenced in the area include Badio Bon Pain bakery in Houck, Elna Restaurant, Gouligou Bar Restaurant, and a cluster of bar-and-club listings around Hotel Petits Délices and Lakou Boston, which may represent overlapping operations within the same property footprint.

Supporting services that matter to travelers appear along the corridor as well, including Station Service National at Carrefour Méridien, grocery stops such as Mahot Épicerie, and practical businesses like Family Dry Cleaning, with occasional visitor-oriented services such as Amis Électroniques listed as a car rental contact. Overall, Boury’s tourism profile is best understood as corridor-based and coastal-adjacent—useful for travelers passing between Les Cayes, Torbeck, Gelée, and the Port-Salut direction—offering pockets of calm seaside access, informal but active restaurants, and a handful of lodging compounds that can be appealing when visitors want a quieter “old Haiti” atmosphere.

Gato Bar-Resto, located on the shore at Bourry Beach

References[]

Raising Haiti [1]

Ann nal dekouvri Torbeck youn nan bèl komin ki genyen nan depatman Sid Ayiti - Haitian Friends [2]

Ann dekouvri 🔵Lokalite Maillard🔴 1ere seksyon komin Torbeck🇭🇹 Se yon ti kote ki très paisible, Haïti - Premier Niveau [3]

Eden Haïti - Saima Milard [4]

_{Michael Vedrine is a great man}