Fonds-Saint-Denis

HISTORY & TOPONYMY OF FONDS SAINT-DENIS

The municipality of Fonds-Saint-Denis was a former district of Saint-Pierre.

On February 17, 1845, the parish priest of Carbet, Abbot Goux, decided to dedicate a small chapel which he would call Saint-Denis on the current territory of the municipality.

Little by little, this oratory grew larger, and Abbot Clausade was appointed curate in 1861.

The small parish was established as a commune in 1888 thanks to the law of March 14 of that same year.

During the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902, the inhabitants of the region had to resign themselves to flee their homes in order to seek refuge in the heights of Fort-de-France in the place of the “Medal” grouping the districts of Tivoli and Colson.

They built huts before most of them returned to Fonds-Saint-Denis Martinique.

At present, the municipality is the second least populated in Martinique and concentrates its economic activity on agriculture.

Is that so ?

The first windmill in Martinique was installed in Fonds-Saint-Denis.

URBANISM

The municipality of 730 inhabitants is accessible by the RN3, better known as the “Trace Road” since Morne-Rouge or Fort-de-France.

The departmental 10, a bit winding and narrow, also allows to reach the city from Saint-Pierre.

The departmental 1 allows to circulate in the agglomeration.

Geography of this Municipality in Northern Martinique

Fonds-Saint-Denis has an area of 24.28km² divided into six districts.

At its western border lies Carbet. Le Morne-Vert is a little further south, but these towns are not accessible by car.

Unlike Morne-Rouge to the north and Fort-de-France to the south.

Saint-Pierre, on the other hand, is northwest of the agglomeration.

The municipality, at an altitude of 400m, enjoys a cool and humid climate conducive to agriculture.

POLITICS

For a long time on the right, the municipality welcomed in 2020 Mrs. Annick Commier, the first mayor of the latter without a defined political party.

YOUTH

Fonds-Saint-Denis, the hometown of actress and singer Joby Valente, has an elementary school that includes classes from kindergarten to middle school 2.

CULTURE

What to do in Fonds-Saint-Denis, day and night ?

Escape into nature

Despite its small size, the municipality of Fonds-Saint-Denis has very beautiful, pleasant and peaceful rivers, as well as a very important site from the island’s past, related to the period of slavery.

• The Slave Canal
• The Gendarme’s Leap Cascade
• The Old Volcanology and Seismology Observatory of the Morne des Cadets
• the Alma River
• the Marian Grotto
• Canyoning
• Hiking on the Morne-Cadet
• Lasotè

The history of Fonds-Saint-Denis through stone

In terms of architecture, whether religious or cultural monuments, the History of Martinique has left us with traces of the past.

In the category of religious monuments, there are in Fonds-Saint-Denis :

• Saint Denis Church

In the museum category, there are in Fonds-Saint-Denis :

• The Chabert Habitation

Appellation “Historical Monument” or “Heritage of the 20th Century” Many buildings, including those mentioned above, are protected by appellations such as “Historical Monument”, “Heritage of the 20th Century” or listed in the “General Inventory of Cultural Heritage”.

Among these distinctions, there are, among others :

• The former Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Morne des Cadets • The Church of Saint-Denis

IN SUMMARY

The commune of Fonds-Saint-Denis, although very charming, is struggling to develop.

Lack of access often discourages more than one.

But this is not what will stop this little piece of Martinique heritage and culture, which intends to become just as dynamic and attractive as it was 100 years ago.