Saint Pierre sits on the northwestern coast of Martinique beneath the shadow of Mount Pelee, the volcano that famously erupted in 1902 and destroyed what was then the cultural capital of the Caribbean. Known as the "Paris of the West Indies" before the eruption, Saint Pierre today is a quiet, atmospheric town where ruins from the catastrophe sit alongside cafes and the sea. It is a genuinely fascinating port, different in character from nearly anywhere else on this itinerary.
Port and City Relationship
Saint Pierre is a tender port. The town itself is small and very walkable once you're ashore. The ruins, museum, and waterfront are all within easy reach on foot.
What to See, Do and Eat Nearby
The Musee Vulcanologique Frank Perret is small but excellent, with artifacts recovered from the 1902 eruption including melted glass, fused coins, and personal objects. Entry is around 3 EUR ($3.50 USD). The ruins of the old theater and the jail, where one of the only survivors of the eruption sheltered, are scattered around town and walkable. Snorkeling and diving here is exceptional because of the shipwrecks from 1902 that sit in the shallow bay. Dive operators offer guided wreck dives for around 50 EUR ($55 USD). For lunch, Le Fromager is a lovely open-air restaurant on the hillside with good Creole food and views over the bay. Prices for a full meal run around 20 to 30 EUR ($22 to $33 USD).
Getting Around
Saint Pierre is best explored on foot given its compact size. Taxis are available for excursions to other parts of Martinique, including the distilleries in the north or the beaches further south. A taxi to Habitation Clement rum distillery, one of the island's highlights, runs around 40 to 50 EUR ($44 to $55 USD) round trip.
Start Time
Nov 10 8:00AM AST
to
End Time
Nov 10 10:00PM AST