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Martinique's oldest museum, founded in 1933 by American volcanologist and philanthropist Frank A. Perret and owned by the town of Saint-Pierre, has been completely renovated in 2019 by the Fondation Clément. The 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 Pelée and the destruction of Saint-Pierre in 1902.
The tour is organized in three sequences: firstly, to discover the town up to the day before the eruption, and then to relive the chain of events around May 8, 1902, in order to understand the consequences of this catastrophe which claimed some 28,000 lives and wiped Saint-Pierre off the map. The audioguide provided at the entrance immerses visitors in history, with a display of period objects and testimonials from local residents and survivors. In the middle of the tour, the memorial lists the 7,000 victims identified to date. Finally, and perhaps most impressively, you'll see period images of the city afterwards... And the collection of glass deformed by the high temperature and 2 bells show the impact of the fire that swept through the city after the fiery cloud. This visit is a powerful experience, and a great introduction to the city and the ruins of Saint-Pierre.
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Opening time and information on MEMORIAL TO THE 1902 DISASTER - MUSÉE PERRET
Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Adults €8, children €6 (free under 7). Audioguide included.
Message from Management
The 1902 Disaster Memorial - Frank A. Perret Museum is located in Saint-Pierre. Founded by this American seismologist, it opened in 1933 and bears witness to the eruption of Mount Pelée and the destruction of the town of Saint-Pierre on May 08, 1902. Originally called the Franck A. Perret Museum, it underwent a complete renovation in 2018, and the name Mémorial de la catastrophe de 1902 was added in view of a new orientation with a more cultural approach to the event. Discover the history and consequences of this volcanic eruption through an important collection of contemporary archaeology that is regularly enriched. Comprising 432 artifacts, it includes unique everyday secular and religious objects. An innovative sound system allows you to explore the permanent exhibition, which pays tribute to the victims, and to discover the remains with the help of old photographs and films. A must-see place to learn more about the history of Martinique!
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