Morne des Cadets Observatory

What is the Purpose of Morne des Cadets Observatory in Martinique?

Listed as a historical monument, the observatory is named after the French naval officer and astronomer Pierre-Maurice-Yves-Marie Morne des Cadets de Gassicourt.

It was established to allow scientists to better understand the environment and seismology of Martinique and the Caribbean arc, specifically to measure the seismic activity of Mount Pelée.

The observatory has been abandoned since 1902, when it was heavily damaged by the eruption of Mount Pelée, which claimed over 30,000 lives, including all the inhabitants of Saint-Pierre, formerly known as the Little Paris of the Caribbean. In 2019, it was relocated to a new building, two kilometers downhill from the old observatory.

It is now known as the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Martinique. It not only monitors the volcano but also observes seismic activity in Martinique's soil and the risk of tsunamis.

The monumental seismograph, weighing nearly 20 tons, is still in place and operational.

Architecture of the Former Morne des Cadets Observatory

The building is representative of French colonial architecture. It is one of the first two concrete constructions on the island, along with the church of Le Prêcheur.

The main rectangular-shaped building includes:

• A basement, • A ground floor, • A first floor, • Two attic levels that form the tower of the building.

Inside, there is a large central double-height hall that provides access to a secretary's office, a computer room, and a conference room on the ground floor.

Upstairs, there are offices and bedrooms. Two symmetrical doors lead to two small terraces. One of them leads to the former observation room, which provides access to a two-level tower via a ladder.

The second circular-shaped building houses the monumental Quervin-Picard seismograph weighing 20 tons. It consists of two semi-buried levels and is connected to the first building by an underground gallery.

How to Reach Morne des Cadets Observatory

To access this site, starting from Fort-de-France, take the A1 and then the D41 to the Balata exit (N3). The Balata road will take you into the heights of Martinique with many curves.

After about half an hour of driving to the Alma welcome area, continue on the Route de la Trace (still the N3) towards Morne-Rouge, until you reach the intersection with road D1, where you will turn left towards the town of Fonds-Saint-Denis.

Drive down the road to reach the church in the center of the Fonds-Saint-Denis community, which is easily recognizable.

From this point, continue straight ahead and take a left where a directional sign will indicate Morne des Cadets.

What to Do Near Morne des Cadets Observatory?

Connected to Fort-de-France and Saint-Pierre by the Route de la Trace, the town of Fonds Saint-Denis offers many attractions: hiking, river bathing at Alma Waterfall, Saut du Gendarme Waterfall, and hiking on the Trace des Jésuites with its "trou d'eau" (water hole).

You can also opt for off-the-beaten-path hikes to reach nearby peaks like Col Yang Ting, Chemin de Croix, or the Morne-Vert community via the Clapet – Fonds Saint-Denis trail.

Finally, don't miss the breathtaking panoramic view from Morne des Cadets of Mount Pelée and the Pitons of Carbet.

Afterward, there is a long ascent to the observatory. Once there, a small parking area is available for you to park in front of the entrance.