Located in the west-centre of Martinique, Le Morne-Vert is a pleasant village at the foot of the famous Carbet mountains. Nestling in unspoilt green countryside, this peaceful haven resembling a little Switzerland is highly prized by walkers, as well as visitors and locals who appreciate its pleasant climate, which is milder than on the coast. In short, a restful stopping place amid a verdant, mountainous landscape that towers majestically over the Caribbean Sea…
A preferred destination for hikers, Le Morne-Vert is an amazing starting point for exploring the tropical forest or tackling the tough ascent of the Lacroix mountain. The Attila spring, deep in the heart of the national forest on the way to Caplet, is a very popular site with walkers, who go to cool down there after a hike.
Lastly, be sure to step into the Church of St Martin, which contains a beautiful sculpted marble tabernacle!
Le Morne-Vert is a commune in the department of Martinique, 27 km northwest of Fort-de-France.
Its territory of 13.3 km² is located in the center-west of the island and ranges from 70 to 1196 m above sea level, but the village as such has developed at 430 m above sea level.
Dominated by the peaks of Carbet to the south-east, the locality is nicknamed "Caribbean Switzerland" because of its forest-covered landscapes overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
A former hamlet dependent on Le Carbet, Le Morne-Vert was not incorporated as a municipality until 1949. The economy is still driven by agriculture (poultry farming, beekeeping, market gardening). However, while remaining close to the coast and the beaches (a few kilometers to the west), the town, which has some 1,800 inhabitants, has also become a center dedicated to green tourism, appreciated by hikers.
In terms of heritage, the village has various sites listed in the Inventory: the first to mention is the parish church of Saint-Martin. The current building was built in 1884 in place of a first wooden chapel erected twenty years earlier. Note that the octagonal bell tower was rebuilt in 1932, and that the materials used for this church were rubble, stone and cement. The nave is barrel-vaulted and covered with wood, and the apse is rounded. It will be noted that the church houses a number of objects and works of art classified as objects, such as the stained glass windows depicting Saint Joseph and Saint Martin in particular, but also the high altar, a number of statues, chalices, a tabernacle in sculpted marble, the Stations of the Cross, pieces of furniture…
To the south-west, to see next, the Domaine de Fonds Moulin, which borders the RD 20 road, where the Fond Capot river with its basins and waterfalls, but also remains of a sugar factory and a rum factory dating from the last third of the 18th century. The site is also protected as a historical monument.
It is then worth mentioning the natural sites developed to take advantage of the natural wealth of the municipality. Heading towards the Caplet district, to the east, in the heart of the forest, the Attila spring and the Mitan river, overlooked by a pedestrian bridge with a span of 20 m, are thus part of the essentials.
The viewpoints of Dakou and Bout-Barrière and unparalleled panoramas also punctuate the hikes heading towards the peaks of Carbet, in the south-east of the territory.
These peaks are reached by crossing a lush forest, and when "going down", it is possible to cool off at certain points (follow the signs) thanks to the many rivers. Possibly, the beaches of Carbet, on the coast of the Caribbean Sea, are only a few kilometers west of the village. Maps and information from the tourist office on +33 5 96 61 61 77.
In the town itself, the Hiking and Canyoning Office offers canyoning river descents and mountain excursions accompanied by instructors and qualified guides. Information on +33 5 96 55 04 79 or +33 6 96 24 32 25.
Several sports facilities are located in the village and its surroundings for playing football, petanque or tennis. Join the Effort club on +33 5 96 55 51 99.
