Le Morne-Rouge

History

Le Morne-Rouge is a commune in northern Martinique, located north of Fonds-Saint-Denis, east of Saint-Pierre, south of Ajoupa-Bouillon, and west of Le Lorrain. It’s the highest commune on the island, rising 500 meters above sea level, and offers sweeping views of its neighbor, Saint-Pierre.

Its name comes from morne, meaning “small mountain,” and rouge, referring to the reddish hue of volcanic rock. The name was later adopted by colonists, inspired by the bare summit of the area.

The present-day Morne-Rouge sits on one of the earliest colonized territories in Martinique. In 1654, the hills of the region welcomed Dutch settlers and Jewish refugees from Brazil.

Its history is closely tied to that of Saint-Pierre, of which it was a part until 1889. But its independence was short-lived and turbulent: just two years after becoming a separate commune, it was struck by a devastating cyclone in 1891. Eleven years later, it was completely destroyed by the eruptions of Mount Pelée in 1902—though it was spared during the infamous eruption of May 8.

The second eruption of that year, on May 30, 1902, brought total destruction to Morne-Rouge. Alongside widespread material damage, nearly a thousand residents lost their lives.

It took years—sometimes decades—for islanders to overcome their fear of the volcano and return to repopulate the abandoned commune. By the late 1920s, people began to return, only to be alarmed again by predictions of another eruption in 1930. The town was evacuated as a precaution, but fortunately, the eruption was purely magmatic and caused no harm.

Eventually, residents returned to reclaim their hometown.

A monument now stands at the edge of the commune, honoring the victims of the 1902 volcanic eruptions.

Economy

Today, Morne-Rouge’s economy is largely agricultural, with banana, pineapple, and flower cultivation playing a central role.

It also attracts eco-tourists drawn to its lush natural surroundings—especially the presence of Mount Pelée.

Neighborhoods

The main districts of the commune are Abdelkader, Balisier, Chamonix, Champflore, Grosses Roches, Val Joli, Fond Rosé, Mespont, Propreté, Savane Petit, and Zobéide.