Fonds-Saint-Denis

Fonds-Saint-Denis sits high in the mountains between Saint-Pierre and the Pitons du Carbet, a small village of a few hundred people that has made a point of planting flowers along every street and around the church, and it is cooler here than anywhere on the coast. A volcanological observatory monitoring Mount Pelée stands above the village. Trails towards the Pitons and the Saut du Gendarme both start close by.

What to look for

• The flowered streets - the planting the village has become known for.
• The church - the building at the centre with its planted surroundings.
• The mountain setting - cool air and steep slopes between Saint-Pierre and the Pitons.
• The observatory - the volcanological station above the village watching Pelée.

When to go

December to April is clearest. Cloud and rain are frequent at this height in any season. The village is noticeably cooler than the coast.

Before you go

The village is very small and half an hour covers it. Cloud sits on it much of the time. The observatory is a working station and not open to visitors.

Nearby

Saut du Gendarme is below, and the Pitons du Carbet are east.

Key facts