Memorialdelacastrophede1902 13museefranckaperret Saint Pierre Martinique

Memorial to the 1902 disasterFranck A. Perret MuseumSaint-Pierre after the eruption of Montagne Pelée

Visit to the 1902 Disaster Memorial – Franck A. Perret Museum

Today, we head for Saint-Pierre, where I begin my visit with the Franck Perret Museum, which offers a moving insight into the events that led to the devastating eruption of Montagne Pelée onevents that led to the devastating eruption of Montagne Pelée on May 8, 1902 and the complete destruction of the town and its history. It’s a museum on a human scale, rich in objects, documents and testimonies…

An exceptional site

At the foot of Montagne Pelée

The museum is located on the exceptional site of the former Esnotz battery, which overlooks the town and opens onto the wide panorama of Saint-Pierre bay , dominated by Montagne Pel&eacute;e. Founded in 1933 by vulcanologist Frank A. Perret, who witnessed the second sequence of eruptions in 1929, it is Martinique’s oldest museum. The Musée de France is dedicated to the eruption of Mount Pelée, taking a cultural approach to the catastrophe, highlighting the experience of the Martinican people and its worldwide repercussions.

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Ville Memorialdelacastrophede1902 13museefranckaperret Saint Pierre Martinique

Esnotz battery

This military battery, built in 1694 at the instigation of Nicolas de Gabaret, was used to defend the town in the event of an attack, thanks to the cannons that are still visible.

Fontaine Memorialdelacastrophede1902 Museefranckaperret Saint Pierre Martinique

As soon as I arrived at the museum, I was struck by its impressive architecture. The sober, elegant building, with its clean contemporary lines, was designed by architect Olivier Comp&egrave;re. Its facade, with its black and silver flashes of burnt wood, stands out against the blue of the Caribbean Sea, echoing the tragic history of Saint-Pierre. This blend of modern elements and remnants of the ancient destroyed city creates an atmosphere that is both poignant and revealing.

Immersion in the heart of the Museum

At reception, the hostess hands me an audioguide for a self-guided tour. There are three possible routes, which can be alternated at your convenience:

A “family” tour suitable for young children
A “detailed” tour of the 400 objects on display
A “narrative” tour with contemporary testimonials, scenes of life and stories about the town of Saint-Pierre, offering a total immersion in the history and life of the Pierrotins.

All audio guides, descriptions and information are also available on the Smartify app (available in French, Creole, English, Spanish, Italian and German).

I feel a certain solemnity as I pass through the doors and enter this place steeped in history.

Allow 1 hour for this visit.

Opening hours

Permanent exhibitions

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Before the eruption

The permanent exhibits at the Franck Perret Museum are extremely well designed and documented. I start with the room that explores the period before the eruption, when Saint-Pierre was a thriving, bustling city, nicknamed ” the Little Paris of the West Indies “. Period photographs and everyday objects are on display, providing a vivid picture of life in this thriving city.

The day of the eruption

Moving on, I’m impressed by the room dedicated to the eruption itself. The images and stories presented here are striking. There are photographs taken shortly before the disaster, showing thesmokingMontagne Pelée and the warning signs of the impending eruption. Moving testimonies from survivors and eyewitnesses are brought together, bringing to life the horror and panic felt at the time…

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Here you can see objects deformed, melted or agglomerated by the intense heat, such as the bronze bell from the église Saint-Etienne-du-Centre, the grate from Cyparis’ dungeon, and objects from archaeological digs carried out in Saint-Pierre in recent years.

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Tribute to the victims

For me, the highlight of the visit is thememorial area dedicated to the victims of the disaster. Thenames of those who died are displayed, creating a personal connection with those who lost their lives that day. You get a sense of the scale of the tragedy and the suffering that the people of Saint-Pierre endured.

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After the eruption

As I explore the various exhibits, I learn more about the aftermath of the 1902 eruption. The town of Saint-Pierre was totally devastated; it took years to rebuild and regain a sense of normalcy. The museum also looks at the scientific consequences of the disaster, and in particular the advances made in the field of volcanology thanks to Franck Perret’s own research.

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The little extras

Lectures

The museum also offers lectures and film screenings on various aspects of the disaster, during which experts share their knowledge and answer visitors’ questions. It’s a unique opportunity to learn more.

Lieutenant Marie’s gun

To mark the commemoration of May 8th, the museum is exhibiting a unique piece, a pistol that belonged to Lieutenant Marie , who was killed in the disaster. It was found in the debris of the 1902 eruption of Montagne Pelée, on loan from the Musée de la Gendarmerie Nationale.

To mark the 120th anniversary of the eruption of Mount Pelée, the Musée Frank A. Perret – Mémorial de la catastrophe de 1902 presents a two-part audio exhibition.

” Le souffle de Saint-Pierre

“Le souffle de Saint-Pierre” is a series of 12 sound sequences scattered around the city, commemorating the 28,000 victims and the many lives affected by the volcanic eruption of 1902. Through these intense historical moments, listen to family anecdotes at the heart of the catastrophe.

Listen to

” Incandescent Memories ”

“Mémoires incandescentes” is a series of sound podcasts based on accounts of the 1902 disaster, blending memory and real-life testimonies. Through encounters and sharing, these recordings capture voices and emotions, preserving the living memory of the event.

Listen to

Information & free booking

We' d like you to do it for us!

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Don’t leave Saint-Pierre without visiting this museum! It’s a well-designed, thought-provoking place that reminds us of the importance of vigilance in the face of powerful natural phenomena.

🔎 Don't miss the surrounding area!

Then set off to discover the city’s history, and the many vestiges of the former ” Little Paris of the West Indies “: the cathedral, the ruins of the theater, the prison, the hospital, the Maison de la Bourse… I also love taking the time to do my shopping, discovering new boutiques and wandering through the narrow cobbled streets…