Discover Torbeck

Torbeck combines striking cave formations with the history of the Citadelle des Platons and the Saint Joseph parish. The Kounoubwa and Soulas caves and the citadel are located within the municipality of Torbeck; the Saint Joseph parish is a historic landmark of the town. This gives you a mix of nature, history and religious tradition to consider when planning your trip. Whether you are interested in underground formations, historic buildings or a local festival, each offers a different perspective on Torbeck.

Caves with different formations

Kounoubwa Cave begins with a 40-metre-deep shaft. Small galleries and muddy passages lie at the bottom; these features shape the cave’s underground landscape. A 2020 travel guide describes Kounoubwa as a cave explored using ropes and gives access from Camp-Perrin via the South Ravine. According to the guide, landowner and cave guide Joel Constant opens the access gate. The description specifies a 45-metre rope for the descent to the bottom. As this access information dates from 2020, check before visiting whether the described option is still available.

At Soulas Cave, an 18-metre-deep entrance shaft leads to several chambers with numerous stalactite and stalagmite formations. One collapsed chamber is partly covered in guano, and ficus roots reach down to the bottom of the shaft. Two chambers contain very fragile calcite formations, which should be viewed from a distance. The shaft at Kounoubwa is 22 metres deeper than the entrance shaft at Soulas; the two caves also differ, with narrow passages in one and several chambers in the other.

Citadel and Saint Joseph

The Citadelle des Platons in the municipality of Torbeck was built in 1804 by General Nicolas Geffrard, following the plan of fortification engineer Morancy. The Saint Joseph parish in Torbeck was founded in 1719; its feast day is March 19. The two dates are 85 years apart, making the parish an earlier historical landmark than the citadel. During the 2023 patronal celebration, an artistic parade wound through the streets of Torbeck, with Rue Saint Joseph at the centre of the festivities. If you are planning around Saint Joseph, check the event dates for the relevant year.

Landscape and municipality

The municipality of Torbeck borders the Caribbean Sea to the south. The Citadelle des Platons stands at an elevation of about 600 metres and overlooks the Les Cayes Plain and the Les Orangers Plain between Saint Louis and Cavaillon. The coastline and the elevated viewpoint are distinct landscape features within the municipality. From the citadel, the view takes in two clearly named plains.

Planning your holiday

When looking for a holiday rental in Torbeck, these themes can help you decide where to start: caves, history and landscape appeal to different interests. If you are planning a family trip, compare your preferences together and consider which discoveries will shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Port-Salut, Les Cayes, Cacor.

Back to the regional travel overview: Sud Department.