Things to see and do Inland

Certainly the most challenging trail around Saül, thanks to its undulating terrain, but also one of the most beautiful. You'll walk along part of the Nouvelle France creek, past the Roche Bateau (a huge rock overlooking the creek). As well as finding a passing carbet, you'll pass by the Kanawa gîte where you can cool off! So pack your picnic for a great day's hiking, your hammock if you want to rest halfway through, and your swimsuit for a refreshing dip... Enjoy the ride!

The easy "sentier des gros arbres" (big trees trail) takes you deep into the primary forest, offering an adventure to meet its giants. You'll discover some magnificent trees: fromager, ficus, hourglass (on this trail you'll find the largest hourglass in French Guiana, measuring 3 metres in diameter). Here, you'll have to forget your usual landmarks: for a good two hours, you'll be in the heart of vegetation as powerful as it is wild. It's a delightful walk for the whole family (easy level, perfectly accessible to children).

The shortest signposted route from Saül, starting from Chez Lulu. At the summit, at an altitude of 312 meters, a wooden deck offers a splendid view of the forest and the village. This short hike is particularly interesting for birdwatching. Before sunrise and sunset (the best times for observation), you can enjoy the flight of the macaws, which have taken up residence in the trees at the top of the hill. The calls of these giant parrots are as impressive as their wingspan.

The Oyapock is the second longest river in French Guiana after the Maroni, covering 370 km. The adventure begins with a hundred or so jumps, the most formidable of which is the Maripa jump: 2 km of rapids and a 14 m drop! On this stretch, the Oyapock River rushes through rapids in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Lovers of pre-Columbian vestiges will be able to find polissoirs on rocks washed by the waters of the river and its tributaries, while others will enjoy the calm of the area and the wealth of wildlife in this little paradise.

The Saül territorial delegation of the Amazonian Park is very active, and with good reason: the forest expresses all its rights here! The team works hard to mark out and maintain the hiking trails. In addition, free guided tours are regularly organized, presenting the history of the village and the birds of the Amazon rainforest (dates and times posted at the village entrance). There is also a small store on the premises.

Saut Maripa lies in the bed of the Oyapock River. Once an impassable barrier for merchant pirogues, the Saut was bypassed by the construction of a railroad track on the bank. Now transformed into a somewhat dilapidated hiking trail, the site is open to the public free of charge. A botanical trail of around 4 km also loops around the river to discover the lush vegetation that feeds it.

Listed as a Monument Historique since 1993, the Saül church is the only religious building in French Guiana with two bell towers. However, in view of the natural deterioration that has intensified in recent years (xylophagous insects, bats, dampness, landslides), the church has been chosen by the Mission Patrimoine for total restoration, scheduled for completion by the end of 2023. The aim of this project is to restore this beautiful building to its former glory.

This peninsula boasts a remarkable natural and cultural heritage. Getting there isn't easy, but the effort will be rewarded. With its rocky promontory, the site offers visitors a breathtaking view of the Oyapock estuary. From an archaeological point of view, Ouanary is a site of prime importance: funerary urns, pottery and fragments of European earthenware bear witness to the first contacts between Palikour Amerindians and Europeans. Ouanary is an ideal starting point for a foray into the deep forest.

Saut Maripa rightly has the reputation of being the most beautiful jump in French Guiana, but also the most dangerous. Many a pirogue has run aground here, and you may notice the stele erected in honor of the 3 gendarmes who lost their lives here in 1995. In the rainy season, the river is wide and fairly silent. Its impressive flow is revealed in the dry season, thanks to the rocks protruding from the surface. Many locals take advantage of the site on weekends to bring the whole family, staying in carbets (for a fee or not, depending on the level of comfort required), and enjoying water sports such as kayaking.

To reach Saut Maripa by car, a 4x4 is virtually indispensable, especially in the rainy season. It takes an average of 40 minutes to cover the 20 km of track (check on site to find out how practicable it is). Pirogues stop at Pied-Saut, upstream from Saut Maripa. From here, you'll have to walk about 2 km along an old railway track.

For those who prefer terra firma, there are 3 discovery trails: the botanical trail: a 4 km loop that takes around 1 hour to complete. Accessible to all levels, you'll need to ask if it's been recently maintained. The Layon Coumouri (2 km round trip, approx. 1 hour's walk) and the Layon Saut Maripa (30-minute round trip, 1.5 km) both start from the botanical trail. They offer different views of the Saut.