Things to see and do Cayenne & Area

The Amazonian Park of French Guiana is the largest national park in France and the European Union. Created in 2007, it covers an area of 3.4 million hectares in southern French Guiana, covering 40% of the territory. Located in the south-east of the Guyana Plateau and bordering Parque Nacional Montanhas do Tumucumaque in Brazil (3.9 million hectares - Amapa State), it also contributes to forming one of the largest protected areas in the world. Its highly original landscapes are complemented by a palette of rare environments: inselbergs (imposing rocky massifs) and forested mountains at altitudes of over 800 metres.

The national park is home to one of the planet's richest areas in terms of biodiversity, as well as a diversity and cultural originality that position these Amazonian territories as exceptional places to discover. The heart of the national park covers 2 million hectares. The "zone de libre adhésion" (1.4 million hectares) covers the catchment areas around its natural borders, the Oyapock River to the east and the Maroni River to the west. Five communes are included in the national park: Camopi, Maripasoula, Papaïchton, Saint-Élie and Saül, with a total population of over 15,000. It is home to the Amerindian populations (Apalaï, Tïlïo, Wayana, Wayãpi and Téko-Emérillon), the Black Maroons (Aluku/Boni) and the Creoles, as well as metropolitan populations and a few Hmong, Brazilians and Surinamese.

The Park's missions are to preserve the natural heritage, promote traditional cultures and support sustainable local development projects in consultation with local communities. The Etablissement public du parc amazonien de Guyane supports the emergence of an ecotourism industry.

Protecting the natural environment. Guiana's forests are a beacon of biodiversity on a global scale. Over 5,800 plant species have been recorded to date, including more than 1,500 tree species. The fauna includes 192 species of mammals, 260 species of reptiles and amphibians, 720 species of birds, 400 species of freshwater fish and hundreds of thousands of insects. This forest heritage is highly natural and in a good state of conservation, making it an ideal setting for knowledge and further scientific research into Amazonian ecosystems. The national park is home to some remarkable environments: rock savannas, inselbergs and forest mounts.

Preservation of cultural heritage and sustainable development. The aim is to preserve and promote the tangible and intangible cultures of the region's populations. Southern French Guiana has been home to nomadic Amerindians for several centuries, as well as to Black Maroons and Creoles since the second half of the ^19th century. These traditional communities, with their rich cultural heritage, live to the rhythm of the rivers and rainforests, in close contact with nature. Their knowledge and know-how constitute a unique heritage, and intergenerational transmission is a key challenge.

Ecotourism. The Amazonian Park of French Guiana is committed to developing local, sustainable economic activities in consultation with the local population, and supports the emergence of an ecotourism industry through training, communication, development and equipment initiatives, with technical and financial support for project leaders.

The Montabo trail is just under 4 km long (3.8 km to be exact), winding its way through the jungle, with multiple ascents and descents, and overlooking the ocean all the way! It's a great way to get in some exercise and enjoy the beautiful scenery, flora and fauna just outside Cayenne, without straying far from the city. Allow around 1? hours round trip for the less athletic. A pleasant trail with no particular difficulties, offering beautiful panoramic views.

This young local brewery was founded in 2011 and offers 4 types of beer: Guyanaise blonde, Weïty white (bronze medal at the Salon de l'agriculture 2015 and silver medal 2016), Orpailleuse amber, triple kwak, IPA and Blaka (bronze medal 2018 and silver medal 2020), a brown stout . Every Saturday morning, by reservation (online), you can take a guided tour of the brewery, including a tasting of local products!

Heli-cojyp offers you a breathtaking flight through the diverse landscapes of French Guiana. The 15-minute flight takes in the main points of interest in and around Cayenne, while the 30-minute flight takes in the Kaw marshes and the wildlife of Mont Gabriel. Our friendly pilots will take good care of you, whether you're coming with family, friends or on your own. Heli-Cojyp provides all types of air transport, even a drop-off at îlet La Mère! Don't forget your camera or binoculars: red ibises are often on the way...

A magnificent circular trail runs along the crest of the Rorota plateau, overlooking the coast and offering some splendid (and sometimes hidden) viewpoints. If you're quiet and attentive to noise, it's not uncommon to come across a few saimiri monkeys leaping over the path... But the main reason for going here is to see the sloths, generally found in the treetops just after the first ascent, as you come to the loop. At the top, you reach Lac du Rorota, which serves as a freshwater reservoir for the city of Cayenne.

The town's first market was called "l'Avancée". It was located at Grande-Savane (now Place des Palmistes), close to a post of soldiers known as the "advanced post". At the time, the inhabitants of the savannah were outside the town limits and, on their way to the market, were in fact on their way to the outpost.

At the same time, in the early ^18th century, plans for the city of Cayenne named the site of today's market "Place du Port", but it wasn't until 1842 that it was actually renamed Place du Marché. In 1888, a covered market was built here, flanked by public gardens. in 1907, the gardens were removed and new market halls were built, this time with a metal frame. The inauguration took place in 1910, making today's market an institution more than a century old!

Three times a week, the Cayenne market is a must for all producers. The stalls are filled with all the flavours, scents and colors of the country, and of the sub-region: Suriname, Brazil, Haiti... and Laos, thanks to the agricultural crops grown by the Hmongs of French Guiana. It's an opportunity to discover most of the local products: yams, bananas, sorossi, maripa, parépou, wassai and smoked chicken, black pudding, mango or soursop juice, as well as Chinese shrimp or chicken soup, or Brazilian specialties. A covered and open market, a must-see.

Tropic Alizés (by Yatoutatou) invites you to discover Ilet La Mère, also known as "Monkey Island". Departing from the Dégrad des Cannes Marina, 3 rotations are offered for 3 day-long packages. On the program: a trip out to sea, a walk around the islet, photos of the little saïmiris, majestic trees, a swim on the little beach, and, on the return crossing, a musical Punch to end the day on a high note!

When you arrive in Cayenne, you'll be charmed by the square that forms the center of the town. It used to be called Grande Savane, like the square in Fort-de-France in Martinique, before it was developed. At the time, it was covered by a superb English garden, which was sacrificed to accommodate the town's annual festival. In 1822, Governor Laussat ordered trees to be planted. Today, it is adorned with majestic royal palms, some of which are over a hundred years old. Place des Palmistes remains a popular gathering place, bustling with activity during Carnival and in the evenings, when tourists and locals mingle to sample the delicious dishes concocted by the foodtrucks. In 1999, the square was listed as a historic monument.

Statue of Félix Eboué. At its center, since 1957, stands the statue of Félix Eboué, benefactor of French Guiana and governor of French Equatorial Africa in 1940. A staunch humanist who respected the differences of the peoples he administered, he was an effective architect of the decolonization of Africa.

Maison Thémire-Melkior or Bar des Palmistes. On the south side of the square, at 12 avenue du Général-de-Gaulle, you can see this beautiful ^19th-century Creole dwelling, beautifully restored in 2012. Its yellow silhouette with grey roofs and balconies now houses a comfortable hotel and a bar with terrace.

Theécole maternelle Joséphine Horth, built in the 1910s, is also well worth a visit.

The commune is bordered for several kilometers by superb beaches shaped by erosion. The forest provides a splendid, mystical backdrop to the beach. At low tide, the peaceful ocean invites you to take a dip without too much risk, while at high tide, surfers are treated to regular and sometimes impressive waves. At weekends, the beaches are crowded without being overcrowded. Beware: there are no lifeguards here, and the current can be very dangerous!

Governor Tardy de Montravel wanted to build the new Governor's residence here. His death put an end to the project, and the hill kept his name. Today, picnic areas and a children's playground have been laid out. To explore the surrounding area, you can choose between the allée des Mombins and the sentier des pêcheurs (from which you can see the islets Le Père, La Mère and L'Enfant-Perdu). The shady Plage des Fromagers is ideal for swimming at high tide, and very popular at weekends. Amerindian polissoirs can be seen in the rocks.

Along the Montjoly beach, you'll find the Salines trail, signposted by illustrated panels providing information on the beach's flora. The trail crosses dune vegetation while skirting coastal marshes, and leads halfway to the sheltered observatory, from where you can contemplate numerous birds and the occasional caiman. The trail then continues into the mangrove swamp, which is generally difficult to access, and is crossed by a footbridge running between the mangroves. A very pleasant 2.5 km semi-shaded walk.

This fish market, located in Cayenne's old port, includes a wholesale area and a retail area with twelve well-equipped booths. A wide choice of all Guiana's fish from sea and river: snapper, atipas, acoupas, machoirans, not forgetting the famous shrimps. This is an opportunity to discover previously unknown species. There's also an ice-making plant. Don't forget to try the shrimp puddings, sold near the main entrance... divine!

This square is located behind the old prison, facing the ocean. Although named after Auguste Horth (a schoolteacher who was also the first deputy mayor of Cayenne, Roland Barrat), it is more commonly known as "Place des Amandiers". With its bandstand and boules players in the evening, it offers a restful charm that attracts night owls and lovers alike. On shooting evenings, it's also the place to watch Ariane's flight for several minutes, thanks to the installation of a giant screen.

Housed in a mansion built in 1870 by a family of gold miners, the Musée des Cultures Guyanaises aims to showcase Guiana's heritage. It offers comprehensive documentation on French Guiana and a fine collection of objects testifying to a rich history and the presence of numerous ethnic groups. Enriched by engravings and various publications, the temporary exhibitions enable visitors to familiarize themselves with the region. Large documentation room upstairs.

Mont Grand-Matoury : at 234 m, this is the highest hill on the island of Cayenne. The 2,700-hectare forest has been regularly logged since the ^17th century. Wood from the forest fed the boilers of the Mirande distillery (the ruins on the Matoury road), and the slopes, once cleared, were planted with sugar cane, destined for the Mirande factory, then the Rémire factory until 1984.

The Mirande forest: in 1942, it was classified as a forest reserve by a decree issued by the colonial administration at the time. An arrêté de conservation de biotope (biotope conservation order) was signed on April 11, 1994, covering the entire mountain, which is also classified as a Znieff (natural zone of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest).

The Mirande nature trail is probably one of the most beautiful walks you can do around Cayenne in 3 hours. A path winds its way through Mont Grand-Matoury, a nature reserve populated mainly by birds. Encounters with wildlife are frequent, but it's at sunrise and sunset that the chances of spotting macaws, toucans or sloths are greatest. The Paypayo trail (2.5 km loop) takes you through a primary forest rich in biodiversity. The "Cascades" trail (2.8 km loop) follows the small waterfalls of the Mancelière creek. Allow 2 to 3 hours for both trails.

A beautiful blue Creole house dating from 1842, which houses the municipal library and a museum with collections on Guiana's fauna, history, peoples and crafts. Not forgetting the string of paintings by former convict Francis Lagrange. This heritage building, in critical condition, has been selected by the Mission Patrimoine 2021 (led by the French Ministry of Culture and FDJ) for a thorough restoration.

In 1643, Frenchman Poncet de Brétigny bought the rock overlooking the island of Cayenne from the Galibi Indians and named it Cépérou Hill, after a Galibi Indian chief. The man fortified the rock and built a village, which later became the colony's main town. Then the Frenchman was killed by the Indians, and the name Cépérou fell into oblivion. The fort, however, continued to be a unifying element in the lives of the Cayennais, with its resounding siren punctuating the hours and howling for ten days when the town burned down in 1888.

Habitation Vidal: after around 45 minutes on a fitness trail, in the heart of a lush forest, you come to a clearing where the remains of Guyana's largest ^19th-century farming operation remain: the Habitation Vidal, formerly known as Mondélice. The sight of rusting, overgrown implements and machinery makes it hard to imagine that the site was once occupied by an extremely profitable operation. In the middle, however, a large stone-walled mule mill and a few English steam engines bear witness to the economic dynamism of yesteryear.

Although the plantation was home to a variety of crops, it was sugarcane that essentially made the fortune of its owner, Vidal de Lingendes. The surrounding marshes were dried out, providing an enormous space for growing cane, which was processed on site to produce syrup, rum and molasses. Although it seemed invulnerable, the operation quickly collapsed, suffering the successive effects of falling sugar prices and the abolition of slavery. Isolated and unsupervised, the site was left unprotected against looters. Excavations, which continue to this day, are gradually revealing the secrets of this little-known era.

During your visit, facing the path, you'll discover another, much narrower path on your right, which winds its way through a tunnel of vegetation. Don't hesitate to take it and then retrace your steps. Although it looks wild, this little path is in fact marked by trees and joins the main route after winding through the forest. Your steps will take you back in time, from the apogee to the decadence of the sugar mill, in this place that has considerably marked the history of Guyana and its families.

An orientation course was set up on this trail in June 2015. To make the most of these strolls, an information panel and 70 information leaflets are available to the public. The orienteering trail is divided into three circuits: the easy 1.5 km circuit (45 minutes), the difficult 3 km circuit (an hour and a half), and the very difficult 7.5 km circuit (three to four hours). The proximity of the marshes makes the site very popular with mosquitoes, especially in wet weather. It's advisable to bring a repellent spray with you on this walk.

From Rémire-Montjoly, continue for a few kilometers along the Route des Plages. On your left, you'll see Fort Diamant, a military structure built in the ^18th century to guard the entrance to the Mahury estuary. In fact, the presence of this fort did nothing to prevent Dutch, English and Portuguese invasions. The site's main interest lies in its panorama, which extends as far as the Kaw marshes, where the mangrove forest is now under attack from the sea.