Martinique is thrilled to announce that the Volcanoes and Forests of Mount Pelée and the Pitons of Northern Martinique have been included in UNESCO’s esteemed World Heritage List. After 10 years of work, this decision taken on September 16, 2023, represents a major achievement for the elected representatives of Martinique and the teams working with the Martinique’s local authorities and the Regional Natural Park of Martinique.
Seeing the island’s volcanoes and forests of Mount Pelée and the Northern Pitons listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is a source of great emotion and pride for the people of Martinique. These natural gems are part of the Martinican identity and have left their mark on history. Located at the foot of the volcano, Saint-Pierre was devastated by the eruption of Montagne Pelée on May 8, 1902, and it took decades for the town to rise from the ashes. Pelean type eruptions are unique in the world and are what makes Mount Pelée so special. The landscapes, geology and the protected endemic and irreplaceable flora and fauna of this area are also recognized as special by UNESCO.
A whole tourist ecosystem is unfolding and will continue to emerge around Mount Pelée and the Pitons of Carbet. So, beyond hiking on the site, there are so many other things to discover when visiting the surroundings: waterfalls, diving among the shipwrecks of Saint-Pierre, museums, experimental areas, and the warm and friendly population…
The charm of Northern Martinique, with its authenticity and know-how, will enchant and inspire visitors to encounter totally immersive experiences. With 624,700 tourists between January and June 2023, and nearly 30 cruise calls scheduled in Saint- Pierre for the 2023-2024 season, these results confirm the Martinique Tourism Authority’s ambition to promote the Isle of Flowers in new markets and to share new experiences.
“We hope that this distinction will contribute to our new dynamic promotion of Martinique. We look forward to preserving and sharing this exceptional site with our visitors.” remarked Bénédicte di Géronimo, President of the Martinique Tourism Authority.
After its first recognition in 2020 for the Yole de Martinique, listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage site, and the entire island and surrounding waters were declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2021, this third UNESCO honor affirms Martinique’s wealth of sites to the world.
