Making the most of Saint-Pierre
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Saint-Pierre uses tenders.
Large cruise vessels anchor offshore in the bay, with tender boats carrying passengers to a small pier near the town centre. Once ashore, the principal sights are immediately within walking distance. The small, scenic harbour has Mount Pelée rising behind the town
Watch the video.
Sightseeing
Saint-Pierre lies on Martinique's north-west coast and was once called the “Paris of the Caribbean”. In 1902, a catastrophic Mount Pelée eruption destroyed the town and killed nearly 30,000 people. It now combines Caribbean character, volcanic history, beaches and French culture in a fascinating way.
Getting around
Explore the volcanic ruins: see the old theatre remains, the surviving prison where famous survivor Louis-Auguste Cyparis was held, and partially preserved old stone buildings. Together they feel like an open-air historic site.
Musée Volcanologique Franck Perret explains the 1902 eruption and the science of volcanic activity. This small but highly informative museum stands near the waterfront.
The old cathedral's remains are among the town's most photographed locations.
Nearby places
Mount Pelée tour: guided journeys climb the mountain's slopes for spectacular views and are usually half-day excursions.
Rum distillery visits: Martinique is renowned for rhum agricole, produced from sugarcane juice. Nearby distilleries run tours and tastings.
Rainforest and waterfalls: discover lush tropical scenery, rivers and small waterfalls in the island's north.
Quieter beaches outside town are a short taxi journey away.
Money
Samos uses the Euro.
Staying connected
French is the language, although English is widely understood in tourist areas.