Visiting the city of Saint-Pierre in Martinique
Temps de lecture : 3 minutesThe city of Saint-Pierre or “Little Paris of the West Indies” is located northwest of Martinique. This town is the former administrative, economic and cultural capital of the island. The official creation of the city belongs to Pierre Belain d’Esnambuc, who established the first colony on this territory in 1635.
In 1902, the devastating eruption of the Pelee’s Volcano completely destroyed the town. The burning smoke from the volcano headed towards Saint-Pierre at a speed of 450 miles per hour. The post-eruption temperature was about 1075 degrees. The disaster claimed more than 30,000 lives in a few minutes.
Twenty years after the eruption, the people of Martinique committed to rebuild the city. Today, a large part of Saint-Pierre retains a turn-of-the-century atmosphere. The city’s beach is a testimony to this sad event, with its dozens of underwater wrecks.
L’éruption de la Pelée en 1902
To discover more about Saint-Pierre’s past, the Frank Perret Volcano Museum offers a selection of historical photographs. You can discover the remains and ruins of the city, such as the ruins of the theater, the ruins of the church or those of the prison. Only 30 years ago, Saint-Pierre proudly carried its trophy of City of Art and History in 1990. It would also be interesting to make the ascent of Mount Pelée. The excursion lasts a few hours, before reaching the highest point of Martinique at about 1395 meters above sea level.
Making a stopover in Saint-Pierre is an opportunity to dive into the city’s past, but not only. Discover also the lush nature of the small pearl of the French West Indies, before sailing in the Caribbean Sea.
The city of Saint-Pierre in 7 questions
4123 inhabitants
Area: 39 km2
Density: 106 km2
The pillars of the Verger bridge (historical monument);
The Sainte-Marthe battery, building registered MH ;
Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption
The Bertin square ;
The Roy-Camille house
Depaz distillery ;
The Roche bridge over the Roxelane river;The Anse Latouche dwelling, most of which is located in the commune of Le Carbet ;
…
The ruins of the prison and the dungeon of Cyparis, a building listed as a historical monument (MH) ;
Engineering Office (MH)
The Church of the Fort, (MH)
A theater, built at the end of the 18th century on the model of the great theater of Bordeaux following the urban legend. However according to its proportions, and its architectural scale, it is much smaller than that of the city of Bordeaux. The same is true for its decoration and in the treatment of the monumental order that is implemented on its main facade. (MH)
The ruins of the Bouillé street ;
Hôtel Villa Saint Pierre – Rues Bouillé 97250
Village Pomme Cannelle – 11-12 Quartier Morne Folie Prêcheur 97250
Le Kay’Loulou (appartement) – Habitation Beausejour
Maison Pierrotine les pieds dans l’eau – Rue Bouille, 97250
Le Fromager – Route de Fonds-Saint-Denis (D1), Quartier Saint James
L’Alsace a Kay – D10
KaÏ Raymond – Rue Victor Hugo 97250
35 Rue Caylus
97250
Telephone: 05 96 78 10 32
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours :
Monday and Thursday from 7am to 5pm
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7am to 1pm
