Le Morne-Vert

History

Le Morne-Vert is a commune in northern Martinique, located east of Le Carbet, north of Bellefontaine, Case-Pilote, and Schoelcher, and west of Fonds-Saint-Denis.

Its name reflects its hilly terrain and lush vegetation. Nestled at the foot of the Pitons du Carbet, it is one of the island’s youngest communes, officially established in 1949.

The area that is now Le Morne-Vert was among the earliest settled by French colonists, following the expansion from Saint-Pierre and Le Carbet. Its history remained closely tied to Le Carbet until it became an independent commune.

Originally, Le Morne-Vert was a small hamlet known as “Chapelle,” named after a modest chapel where a priest came to celebrate mass twice a month.

In 1848, Abbé Goux requested the creation of a parish in Le Morne-Vert. It was officially founded in 1865 and welcomed its own priest in 1872. A cemetery was established in 1874, followed by two primary schools in 1885, serving a population of 1,800. By 1895, the hamlet had its own civil registry.

In 1937, a formal request was submitted to the Minister of the Colonies to grant Le Morne-Vert full commune status. The process took twelve years. In 1947, Le Carbet’s municipal council gave its approval, and a commission was appointed to define the new boundaries.

On February 10, 1949, a prefectural decree officially established Le Morne-Vert as a separate commune. Le Carbet’s municipal council was dissolved, and elections were held in both communes.

On March 6, 1949, Luce Lemaistre was elected mayor of Le Morne-Vert at age 37, becoming the first woman to hold mayoral office in Martinique.

In 1985, the canton of Le Morne-Vert was merged into that of Le Carbet.

Economy

Le Morne-Vert’s economy is primarily based on vegetable farming and small-scale poultry raising.

For lovers of eco-tourism, this is the place to be! The long-distance hiking trail through the Pitons du Carbet is sure to delight the most adventurous among you.

Neighborhoods

The main neighborhoods include Beauvalon, Bel Event, Bel Event 2, Bernadette, Bois Lézard, Bout Barrière, Canton Suisse, Caplet, Château, Fonds d'Or, Jean, Jolimont, La Croix, La Vigie, Mont Joly, Petite Rivière, Rivière Coco, Saint Maurice, Urion, and Vaudrin.