Just a few miles north of Fort-de-France, we're in for a quiet sail. Along a coast alternating between lush vegetation and volcanic sand beaches, we come across Sch?lcher and Case Pilot, before reaching the small town of Bellefontaine. Here, we may well be able to anchor for the night, if a perverse swell doesn't get in the way...
Anchorage at the foot of Montagne Pelée
After passing the delightful village of Le Carbet, you come to the large bay of Saint Pierre. A splendid, imposing panorama then appears, transcended by a sumptuous backdrop: the fearsome Mount Pelée, as feared as it is admired.
It was this volcano, still active to a greater or lesser extent, that completely destroyed the town and population of Saint Pierre in 1902. The sole survivor was a prisoner who had been locked up in a dungeon. And it was this ultimate punishment that saved his life! Subsequently, the town was patiently rebuilt and is now of great cultural and historical interest.
In the harbour, a large, well-marked area is home to numerous shipwrecks. This area is, of course, off-limits to casual anchors. However, all along the sandy strip that surrounds the bay, soundings of less than 10 meters are available for anchoring, with proper holding.
A long concrete wharf, designed for the transport of tourists, reserves an area for the dinghies of visiting yachtsmen. It is also possible to beacher simply on the beach, respecting other users.
A warm welcome
The local population is much friendlier than in other towns in Martinique. Don't miss the Saint Pierre market, which is particularly lively and attractive on Saturdays. But that's not the only attraction of this stopover, and there are many and varied points of interest.
A visit to the Volcanic Museum beforehand will give you an overview of the most interesting remains. It's then easy to tailor an excursion to your individual tastes. For example, a detour to the heights to the east will take you to the sumptuous site of the Depaz distillery for lovers of sugar cane and all that sort of thing.
Diving into the marine cemetery
Several clubs and associations organize fascinating wreck dives in the bay. This marine cemetery of the many victims of the 1902 disaster offers intense emotions and exceptional fascination. Supervised by local professionals, these magnificent diving experiences take place in a very safe environment and are accessible to a wide public.
The friendliness of the inhabitants, the immense historical interest and the charm of this city on a human scale make Saint-Pierre an unmissable stopover.
