Le Prêcheur

History

Le Prêcheur is a commune located at the northern tip of Martinique, just north of Saint-Pierre and west of Grand’Rivière.

Its name comes from a rock formation that once resembled a preacher in a pulpit—sadly lost during the eruption of Mount Pelée. Close to Saint-Pierre and Le Carbet, the first towns settled by colonists, Le Prêcheur became one of the island’s earliest parishes. It was established in the 1640s, with a church built in 1644 where notable figures such as Father Du Tertre and Father Labat officiated.

The church once housed a bell gifted by Louis XIV in 1712. After the devastating 1902 eruption, only the bell tower remained—now the oldest in Martinique and listed as a Historic Monument.

The Indigenous peoples who originally inhabited the area were quickly displaced toward the Atlantic coast, before being permanently driven out or exterminated.

Gradually, the parish became more populated, and a sugar mill was built in 1658. It wasn’t until 1680—forty years after its establishment—that a proper town center emerged.

In the 18th century, the church had to be rebuilt, though technical challenges made it impossible to construct stone bell towers above the choir.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, despite the presence of a sugar mill, Le Prêcheur remained focused on fishing and agriculture. Local produce was transported to Saint-Pierre, then the island’s capital.

In 1902, the town was severely affected by the eruption of Mount Pelée. Many buildings were destroyed, and residents were relocated to central communes. It wasn’t until the 1920s that Le Prêcheur began to regain its appeal.

In 1930, under the leadership of Asthon Tardon—father of Manon and Raphaël Tardon—the Byzantine-style church and town hall were rebuilt.

The town slowly repopulated after the 1950s.

Le Prêcheur was also home to Françoise d’Aubigné, later known as Madame de Maintenon, who lived there from age 3 to 10. She would go on to marry Louis XIV. Legend has it she retained a deep affection for the place, which she passed on to the king—who then intensified sugarcane cultivation on the island. She is said to have returned to Le Prêcheur several times, deeply marked by her childhood memories.

Economy

True to its roots, Le Prêcheur remains centered on fishing and agriculture. Though less frequented by tourists due to its remote location, it boasts several remarkable sites: the black sand beaches of Anse Céron and Anse Couleuvre, the historic Habitation Céron, and the 1644 bell tower.

Nature lovers will enjoy the 15-kilometer hiking trail that links Le Prêcheur to Grand’Rivière, winding through pristine landscapes.

Neighborhoods

The main districts of the commune include Anse Belleville, Abymes, Bourg, Charmeuse, and Pointe Lamarre.