L'église Du Fort

The Eglise du Fort is one of the oldest churches in the town. In 1678, it replaced the very first church, which became the chapel of the fort's cemetery. Dedicated to Saint Pierre, the name of the town's patron saint in homage to its "discoverer" Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc, it was run by the Jesuits until 1763. Built in the Baroque style with a cross-shaped plan, it was enlarged and brought up to date 3 years before the eruption of 1902. The thick fragments of walls, columns and statues scattered around the site bear witness to the volcano's destructive power.