Saint-Pierre is a town and commune of France's Caribbean overseas department of Martinique. It was founded in 1635 by Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc. It was the most important city of Martinique before the total destruction of Saint-Pierre in 1902 when a volcano erupted. Culturally and economically, it is known as "the Paris of the Caribbean". While Fort-de-France was the official administrative capital, Saint-Pierre was the cultural capital of Martinique. After the disaster, Fort-de-France grew in economic importance.