Memorial to the 1902 catastrophe - Frank A. Perret museum

The Frank A. Perret Museum, founded in 1933 by vulcanologist Frank A. Perret, traces the history of Saint-Pierre before and after the devastating eruption of Montagne Pelée on May 8, 1902.

The first museum of its kind in Martinique, it offers an immersive cultural experience thanks to audio guides on the disaster, in a multi-track format: a family tour aimed at young children, a tour of the exhibits and a narrative tour with testimonials from contemporaries, scenes from life and stories about the town of Saint-Pierre, which you can alternate as you please.

The exhibition features objects deformed by the intense heat of the eruption, such as the bronze bell from the church of Saint-Etienne-du-Centre and the grate from the Cyparis dungeon, as well as artifacts from recent archaeological digs. A dedicated room lists the names of the 7,500 victims identified to date. Vintage films and an audio guide provide testimonials from contemporaries of the disaster.

The Frank A. Perret Museum is managed by the Fondation Clément and owned by the City of Saint-Pierre. The building, designed by architect Olivier Compère, is distinguished by its burnt wood facade, using the Japanese Shu sugi ban technique, recalling the town's tragic history.

An instructive and moving visit! Not to be missed!


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