Things to see and do Saint Pierre

A guided tour of Saint-Pierre not to be missed! Join Fernand Pain, who knows the history of his town and island inside out, as he takes you through a century of Saint-Pierre, the "Little Paris of the West Indies" destroyed in the space of a single night on May 8, 1902, and loses you in the remains of one of mankind's most famous disasters... After taking visitors on board his little train, Fernand has chosen to take them on foot, as close as possible to the last vestiges. The ticket office and tour departure point are in rue Bouille.

Martinique's oldest museum, founded in 1933 by American volcanologist and philanthropist Frank A. Perret and owned by the city of St. Pierre, was completely renovated in 2019 by the Clement Foundation. This new ultra-modern concrete building houses the remains of the May 8, 1902 eruption. The new burnt wood façade is a sober yet powerful symbol in the heart of the city. The collection presented in the permanent exhibition bears witness to the eruption of Mount Pelee and the destruction of Saint-Pierre in 1902. The tour, organized in three sequences, allows visitors to discover the city on the eve of the eruption, to relive the sequence of events around May 8, 1902 and to understand the consequences of this disaster that killed nearly 30,000 people and wiped Saint-Pierre off the map. The exhibition presents objects bearing the traces of the eruption, photographs and old films on the city around 1902, while audio guides provide visitors with accounts from the inhabitants and survivors. Finally, the memorial lists the 7,000 victims identified to date out of the estimated 28,000 missing. The collection of glassware distorted by the high temperature and two bells show the impact of the fire that hit the city after the fiery cloud. A powerful experience. It is a great introduction to the city and the ruins of Saint-Pierre.

Also called Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Port, the cathedral of Saint-Pierre, listed as a historical monument, with its two steeples, dominates the harbor. Built in the 18^th century and remodeled in the middle of the 19^th century, it did not survive the eruption of 1902 and was destroyed. Thanks to the financial support of Victor Depaz, the façade was rebuilt. The stained-glass windows made by the Martinican artist Victor Anicet date from 2006. Renovation work is currently underway.

Also known as the Salle de la Comédie, the theater of Saint-Pierre used to be, during the 18^th century, a famous stage in the West Indies where renowned troupes performed. It hosted the most popular plays of the time such as The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro and Le Déserteur by Michel-Jean Sedaine. Like the rest of the city, the theater was swept away by the disaster of 1902. Its ruins are now relatively well-preserved and attract many visits. A very nice walk with the Montagne Pelée in the background.

Through its permanent and temporary exhibitions, the center offers in this symbolic place of the memory of the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelee, a tool to discover and better understand the Earth sciences. In a building designed according to innovative earthquake-resistant techniques, it offers exhibitions on current themes, notably concerning major natural hazards. Several films are also shown, including the moving and instructive Volcans des Antilles.

Initially a simple little wooden church, built in 1640 on a stone base in the early days of colonization, it was rebuilt by Father Farganel in 1678, with a beautiful ship's hull frame and a bell tower separated from the central body, on a small paved square. After losing its roof during the cyclone of 1891, it was destroyed by the eruption of 1902. It was then filled with worshipers. Today, only the remains of the church of the Fort remain, but the place is strikingly emotional.

This small tourist office in the heart of Saint-Pierre is housed in the Maison de la Bourse, which hosted the first chamber of commerce on the island. It gathers a lot of information, brochures, and indications to visit the city of Art and History, and the surroundings. It also organizes thematic visits of the city, upon reservation and in small groups. As the ruins are not signposted, we advise you to have them indicated to you, it would be a shame to miss them! A great source of information about Saint-Pierre.

Located at the eastern end of rue Levassor in the quartier du Fort, the Génie and Ponts et Chaussées offices occupy the site of a private house built in 1810, following the dismantling of part of the Larochetière dwelling at the end of the ^18th century. In 1855, the site became the headquarters of the French Engineering and Civil Engineering Departments. The eruption of 1902 destroyed all structures except the terraces and retaining wall; the remaining buildings are in ruins. The site housed several buildings arranged in a tiered construction on several terraces linked by staircases. In the middle of the upper terrace was the main building, which housed the offices of the Engineering and Civil Engineering Departments. The back wall of this rectangular building was pierced by a double waterfall that fed a basin built at its foot. The middle terrace featured two large circular basins. On the lower terrace were two buildings: a guardhouse and stables. A striking feature of the site is the ingenious hydraulic system that supplied water via the canal du Fort to the Bureau du Génie and the Ponts et Chaussées, as well as to the Maison Coloniale de Santé opposite. The omnipresence of water is typical of pre-1902 Saint-Pierre: controlled runoff, cascading waterfalls, fountains and ornamental spray basins, a functional pool, running water upstairs.

This downloadable smartphone application allows you to find information by geolocating it. This interactive map includes many visuals. You can also leave comments. This application is the result of the work of the Mwen Désann Sen Piè Commission, initiated by the Rotary Club of Saint-Pierre. 24/7 access to the tourist offer and to all the necessary information to organize your stay: accommodation, recreational activities.

At the top of the Morne d'Orange, the Virgin of the Sailors, also called

Notre-Dame du Bon Port, has watched over the city since 1870. Its base was destroyed by the fiery cloud of May 8, 1902; the 4-tonne statue was thrown several meters lower but, miraculously, came out of the eruption unscathed! To see it, you have to take the road that crosses the D1 (direction Fonds-Saint-Denis). At the top, turn to the right. Park your car and finish the few remaining meters on foot. From there, the view on the bay of Saint-Pierre is breathtaking.

The tree is one of the rare survivors of the 1902 eruption. Rooted for more than two centuries, the cheese tree of Saint-Pierre stands majestically at the edge of the departmental road that goes to Fonds-Saint-Denis. Completely burned by the cloud of fire, only a piece of charred trunk remains, but 50 years after the catastrophe, buds, and leaves appear on the burned trunk. Aimé Césaire was fascinated by the destiny of this tree, which he often came to see.

The old prison of Saint-Pierre is famous for having housed the dungeon of Cyparis, the “sole survivor” of the eruption of Mount Pelee. When the volcano erupted, Louis-Auguste Cyparis, who was imprisoned there for having attacked a fellow prisoner with a knife, was injured by the burning smoke from the volcano but thanks to his confinement, survived the catastrophe. He was found 3 days later by the rescuers of Morne-Rouge. Today, the dungeon, which is accessible to visitors, is one of the historical sites of the disaster.

The Regional Natural Park of Martinique has different information points around the island on the visits of sites, hikes and walks to do in the neighboring municipalities. A store also offers a wide variety of products from local know-how and crafts. Guided tours are available upon reservation, and audioguides for free visits are available to visitors. Maps are also available to help you find your way around the numerous hikes that are possible in the area.

Located on Place Bertin, where goods used to transit to and from ships docked in the port of Saint-Pierre, the Maison de la Bourse used to be the former chamber of commerce of Saint-Pierre.

Destroyed by the 1902 eruption, the current building, rebuilt identically by Gérard Jacqua, former Architect of the Bâtiments de France, appears as a true archetype of Creole architecture, witnessing the refinement and prosperity of Saint-Pierre at the end of the 19^th century. Today it houses the tourist office.

Within the framework of its policy of promotion and mediation of its heritage, the City of Saint-Pierre, through its Heritage and Tourism Department, suggests fun activities and guided tours accessible to all throughout the year. On the occasion of events such as the European Archaeology Days and Heritage Days, other activities can be organized. It is also possible to order customized activities, such as a thematic guided tour, not included in the catalog.

Just before arriving in Saint-Pierre, a sign indicates their presence. Created by the Martinique artist Laurent Valère, Manman Dlo and Yémaya are two monumental mermaids that rest in the bay of Saint-Pierre at a depth of nine meters. They are located about fifty meters from the shore and their presence is indicated by a yellow buoy. Over the years, a reef has been created around them, and today they attract an important underwater fauna and flora. They are accessible to all and can be observed with a mask and a snorkel.