The grandeur and glory of Saint-Pierre in the 19th century, on the eve of the eruption
Presentation of the city on the eve of the eruption
On the eve of the disaster, Saint-Pierre had a population of 28,000 (3,000 to 3,500 whites, 9,000 to 10,000 people of color, and 15,000 blacks). It was the largest city on the island in terms of area. It was located 10 km from the Pelée crater and Fort-de-France, to which it was connected by boat twice a day. The 25 km crossing allowed the two capitals of the island, Saint-Pierre, the economic and social capital, and Fort-de-France, the administrative capital, to be reached in an hour.
The city, built in the shape of an amphitheater, was a symbol of the success of French colonization. It had become a source of pride, its opulence and grandeur reaching as far as Paris. It was the jewel of the island's Caribbean coast. Its streets and alleys, 103 in total, formed a network of 20 km of roads.
The Roxelane River divided it into two almost equal parts: the Mouillage and the Fort. Before the eruption, Saint-Pierre was considered by many to be the most beautiful city in the Caribbean! It was one of the cleanest and most pleasant cities in the world. Its fame and splendor even made Europe jealous of this new colonial bourgeoisie.
It was also nicknamed Little Paris or Paris of the Antilles. Numerous public and private fountains contributed to the city's beauty. They were supplied with water from the Morestin springs located 7 km from Mount Pelée, or Roxelane. The city was the center of all economic activity on the island. Factories had set up shop in Saint-Pierre, as had some fifteen rum distilleries. The Bank of Martinique was located there. There was also a mechanical cooperage, a foundry, vast stores and warehouses, and two transatlantic cables.
Saint-Pierre was also the seat of the bishopric, with no fewer than three major parishes: Notre-Dame de Bon-Port Cathedral, Fort-Saint-Pierre (pictured) and Saint-Étienne du Centre. Three other smaller parishes, La Consolation, Sainte-Philomène and Les Trois-Ponts, were also present in the city, which also had around ten chapels.
The city had a criminal court, a court of first instance for commercial cases, two magistrates' courts, the Bank of Martinique, and two other banking institutions: Crédit Foncier Colonial and Trésor.
In terms of education, it was home to several public institutions: the seminary-college, the high school, the Pensionnat de Notre-Dame de la Consolation, the Pensionnat des Demoiselles Dupouy et Rameau, and the colonial boarding school.
The seminary-college contributed to the city's grandeur. Created by the bishops of Martinique, it had exceptional resources (diocese and personal resources). It had become a breeding ground for scholars and distinguished men in all branches of intellectual and social life in the West Indies, making the city a citadel of science and piety.
The high school was located on the former estate of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny. The colonial boarding school was located in the heart of the city. The Sisters of Saint Joseph had settled in La Consolation. They continued to educate young girls from the wealthiest families in Martinique.
The house that welcomed them was very prosperous and rivaled the greatest schools in France. There were three hospitals there: the civil hospice with 200 beds, the colonial health center that could accommodate 150 mentally ill patients, and the military hospital founded in 1685 by the Brothers of Saint John of God with a hundred beds.
The Bethlehem asylum, known as the “Hôtel des Invalides de la colonie” (Invalids' Home of the Colony), designed as a retirement home for the elderly and infirm, was an exceptional charitable institution. A botanical garden brightened up the city.
Built in 1803 by Castelnau d'Auros, it was described as “one of the wonders of the world” and was a showcase for both tropical and exotic plants. A waterfall flowed in the middle of this complex, leaving memorable impressions on every visitor who came there.
The city had several public squares, including the world-famous Place Bertin with its fountain, the Agnès fountain with its continuous stream. Two public parks, including the one located at the Fort, were compared to the Luxembourg Gardens or the Tuileries, where children ran around under the watchful eye of their nannies, known as das.
The last memorable building, the theater, which was very old, demonstrated the elegance of the city and was on par with theaters in the world's largest cities. The building had been renovated in 1831. We could also mention the bishop's palace (former Dominican convent), Perrinelle Castle (a former Jesuit convent), the gendarmerie barracks (a former Jesuit convent), the gendarmerie barracks (a former Ursuline monastery), the Chamber of Commerce building, the customs warehouse, the Fort presbytery, and the Lasserre house.