Memorial to the 1902 catastrophe - Frank A. Perret museum

Often referred to as the Mount Pelée Eruption Museum, this site recounts the disaster of 8 May 1902, the destruction of Saint-Pierre and the story of the residents who perished. Through artefacts, documents, old photographs and eyewitness accounts, a visit to the museum offers a deeper understanding of the impact of this eruption on the town and on the whole of Martinique. Situated on the site of the former Esnotz battery, the museum overlooks Saint-Pierre and offers a remarkable view of the bay and Mount Pelée.

An essential place for understanding Saint-Pierre Founded in 1933 by the American volcanologist Frank A. Perret, the museum traces the history of Saint-Pierre before and after the eruption of Mount Pelée. Before 1902, Saint-Pierre was a prosperous, bustling town nicknamed ‘the Little Paris of the Antilles’. The exhibition illustrates this former way of life, followed by the sheer force of the disaster that completely devastated the town. The 1902 Memorial is not just a historical museum. It is also a place of remembrance – sober and moving – which provides the keys to a better understanding of the ruins of Saint-Pierre and the importance of Mount Pelée in the history of Martinique.

What is there to see at the Frank A. Perret Museum? The exhibition presents a rich collection of objects, documents and testimonies relating to the 1902 eruption. You can see objects warped by the intense heat, the bronze bell from the Church of Saint-Étienne-du-Centre, the grille from Cyparis’s dungeon, as well as artefacts from the archaeological excavations carried out in Saint-Pierre. A memorial room pays tribute to the identified victims of the disaster. Archival films and audio accounts complement the tour and lend a very human dimension to this moment in history.

A self-guided tour The museum offers a self-guided tour with an audio guide. Several different routes allow visitors to tailor their experience:

• a family tour for young children;
• a tour focusing on the exhibits;
• a narrative tour featuring testimonies, scenes from daily life and stories about Saint-Pierre.

The content is also available via the Smartify app, in several languages.

2026 admission prices:

• Adult = €8
• Child (7–17 years) = €6
• Child (under 7) = free
• Groups and season tickets = €6.50
• School groups = €2 per child

Architecture and views The building, designed by architect Olivier Compère, stands out for its dark, charred-wood façade. This contemporary architecture evokes the tragic history of Saint-Pierre whilst blending seamlessly into the site. From the museum, the view over Saint-Pierre Bay and Mount Pelée adds to the emotional impact of the visit.

Our tip Visit the 1902 Memorial before exploring the ruins of Saint-Pierre. The museum provides a better understanding of the site, the ruins and the town’s history.

An informative, moving and unmissable visit!

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TIP: When you arrive at reception, tell the receptionists that you’re visiting on the recommendation of Martinique Tour!