Tourist Attractions & Monuments French Guiana

On Sunday mornings, the small market is the village's main attraction! Agricultural produce and handicrafts - such as these extremely fine embroideries in shimmering colors, as well as butterflies and tarantulas under glass - are displayed in a festival of colors. Nearby, women prepare salads, bamis, egg rolls and Asian soups, whose subtle scents waft through the air and excite, even whet the appetite!

The history of this penitentiary is relatively poorly described in Guyanese literature, with frequent contradictions. The establishment was set up in 1931 to deport Indochinese nationals guilty of crimes or who had been too vocal in their pro-independence intentions. The majority of these prisoners came from the Annam region in central Vietnam, which explains the camp's name.

The prison operated until 1938, but for most of the deportees, the journey to French Guiana was a one-way trip. Constantly on the lookout for workers, the colonial authorities hoped that the released prisoners would stay on to develop the land. When this became a compulsory rule, the prisoners revolted violently, but their insurrection was crushed without mercy. Detention conditions were extremely harsh at the Annamite camp. Austere dungeons, hard labor and iron discipline combined with a climate conducive to the development of numerous diseases, including malaria, which wreaked havoc in the area.

Scattered here and there, the remains of the penal colony are now abandoned. Rust-ridden and overgrown, they make for a surprisingly gloomy sight. At the entrance to the trail, a veritable forest tunnel, a sign provides a few historical landmarks about the penitentiary. The visit is divided into two successive itineraries. The first section takes around 40 minutes. After this pleasant walk, you come to a clearing where most of the remains of the penal colony are grouped together. You'll discover wagons, cells... You can also take the second part of the trail, which for a while follows an old railroad installed by the convicts (approx. 30-40 minutes' walk). The trail ends at the small Anguille creek, where you can swim and picnic. If you're tempted to take a dip, be careful, as stingrays and eels can lurk beneath the sandbanks! Although the path is not very well signposted, it's hard to get lost if you stick to the wooden slats on the ground, which show you the way. It's an easy stroll, but as with any walk, you'll need comfortable footwear, as the whole circuit is 7 km long.

This creek is often described as the most beautiful in the country and the closest to Cayenne. Gabriel Creek flows into the Mahury at the Roura bridge in Stoupan. It's best to go during the week, as you'll be almost alone.

After a few hundred meters, you'll reach the landing stage for the village of Dacca. A little further on, the vegetation changes, the cove becomes narrower and the water takes on an amber color. If the time and season are right, many morphos (large metallic blue butterflies, symbols of French Guiana) will come to greet you. A word of advice: make sure you don't make any noise, and keep your eyes peeled for monkeys and lazy sheep.

Further on, after passing under the old wooden bridge of Dégrad-Eskol, the creek leaves the forest for the swampy savannah, where the scenery is superb. Then it becomes narrower and it's time to turn back. The only precaution to take on this lovely pirogue ride is to check the tide. At low tide, the level of the creek won't allow you to go far, making it impossible to cross Dégrad-Eskol.

To reach the banks of Gabriel Creek, you have two options: you can launch your boat just after the Mahury bridge, to the left of the landing stage. This will allow you to sail up the entire creek. Alternatively, continue on to the village of Roura in the direction of Dacca (turn left past the town hall).

The day's program promises to be a busy one aboard this beautiful 18 m catamaran. Head for Île Royale, with tea, coffee and cookies during the crossing. After a boat ride to get closer to the mythical Devil's Island, you'll be disembarked on Royale for a free tour of this historic site. Possibility of swimming and picnicking on board (please bring your own) at the lovely anchorage on Île Saint-Joseph. After this convivial moment, disembark on Saint-Joseph, a wilder island with its famous shell beach. Return to Kourou with a musical Punch.

This architecture and heritage interpretation center, opened in 2015 in the Transportation camp, highlights the history of the penal colony and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. In the various cells, interviews with Saint-Laurent residents are displayed, giving a glimpse into a bygone world: that of the prison administration. A moving historical journey through the eyes of the descendants of transporters and merchants who saw these groups of convicts in "striped pyjamas" pass by every morning. A recommended complement to a visit to the camp.

The Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales is a public industrial and commercial establishment, created in 1961: it is the French space agency. As such, it is responsible for France's space policy: its main missions are to analyze issues, manage major programs, lead the industry, operate national systems and support research. Its centers are located in Paris, Toulouse and the Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana, which is open to the public.

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.

In this little corner of paradise, overlooking the jump, you'll have the chance to swim in the Approuague River, take pirogue rides, fish and try your hand at traditional gold panning. The 5 recently renovated bungalows are very comfortable! There are plenty of fun activities on offer, as well as a chance to explore the forest. From the camp, you can follow a trail for around 3 hours to the Angèle Creek waterfall. A warm welcome and professional service, not to mention exceptional meals!

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.

The site, located on the grounds of the Centre Spatial (CSG) and maintained by the ONF, is magnificent. You can choose between the botanical trail, a loop of around 650 m, or the more challenging 3.3 km trail over the summit of Montagne des Singes: the sentier de la Montagne. From here, you have a magnificent viewpoint, not to mention the diversity of the environments traversed. There's a carbet under which you can picnic and stretch out your hammock. The paths are easy to follow, but it's best to stay on them. Stay safe and enjoy!

The Musée de l'Espace is a complementary visit to the CSG, which aeronautics fans and other cosmo-curious visitors won't want to miss: themed tour, interactive animations, real-life models, selection of scientific and technical films, educational and interactive multimedia space where children can linger for a long time, temporary exhibitions... There's plenty to do! There's also a small store selling books on the history of the site and souvenirs (posters, models, gadgets, caps, etc.).

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!

Île Saint-Joseph was chosen as a site for solitary confinement: where strong heads were sent to serve their sentences. The "man-eater" and the "dry guillotine" were among the island's sinister nicknames. Today, tropical vegetation has invaded the stone ruins: roots and creepers intertwine between the bars of the abandoned dungeons. A walk that can be a little chilling, but not without a touch of the dreamlike.

From the landing stage, there are two paths: one circles the island, the other splits it in 2 at its summit, where you'll find the Reclusion camp. Once in the camp, you'll discover thedormitory, then the cells. The cells had openings only in the ceiling, enabling the guards to keep an eye on the prisoners from above. Convicts were subjected to hard labor for 10 hours a day, and were allowed one walk a day within the camp walls. They were not allowed to communicate with each other, hence the nickname "Island of Silence". There were also a number of totally dark cells, where the most difficult convicts were locked up in absolute darkness, sometimes for several years.

As you head for the shore, you'll come to the warden's family quarters, then the staff cemetery, overlooking a small beach of volcanic rock where a swim is in order. A path leads to the pontoon, where you'll find the janitor's quarters, now converted into a rest station for the French Foreign Legion.

Between 1887 and 1938, more than 17,000 inmates landed in the relégation camp at Saint-Jean, 17 km from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. On May 27, 1885, the vote on the law on the relegation of repeat offenders led to the internment of repeat offenders in the colonies for life. A distinction was then made between two types of regime: individual relegation, applicable to convicts with the financial means to support themselves and who had demonstrated exemplary conduct during their imprisonment, which authorized the relegated to work and benefit from a concession while assigning them to the colony; and collective relegation, which forced the relegated to forced labor supervised by members of the prison administration, while eventually allowing them to benefit from individual relegation.

The distinction between relegated and transported prisoners meant that they could not be interned in the same camp, which is why it was decided to create specific camps for relegated prisoners. In 1885, on the site of a former transport camp, abandoned due to insalubrity, the then Ministry built a settlers' village. Settled in four camps, the "relégués" were granted agricultural concessions and could sell their produce on the market. However, the first wooden huts built on the camp by the relegués quickly deteriorated under the Guyanese climate. The camp's insalubrious conditions led to the flight of many relégués. The authorities decided to reinforce control and sanitation by building 20 permanent huts, giving the camp the appearance of a penitentiary. The great need for manpower to rebuild the camp put an end to the system of individual relegation. The vast majority of those relegated were then assigned to forced labor in conditions akin to transport camps. The relegation camp was abandoned in 1943, and the French army moved in in 1961.

The volunteer association Meki Wi Libi Na Wan offers guided tours of this exceptional site, located 17 km from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, as well as of the surrounding village. Passionate, responsive guides will explain how the village of Saint-Jean was created and became the capital of the Relégation. The organization of the camp, the regime of relegation and the daily life of these "undesirables" will no longer hold any secrets for you. To organize your visit with the association, visit the Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni Tourist Office.

What a marvellous sight the flight of red ibises in the twilight! These majestic bipeds make their home in the Sinnamary estuary, where hundreds of ibises gather to feast at night. Joseph, a passionate guide, will take you in his pirogue to the front row of this moving moment: the flight of groups of these magnificent birds is enchanting. Don't forget to dress appropriately and take your mosquito repellent: between dog and wolf, mosquitoes attack!

French Guiana deserved a real botanical garden. And now it's here: over 250 species of Guyanese orchids and 4,000 plant species make up this enchanted one-hectare garden. To get the most out of the place, it's essential to follow its master, Aurélien, to listen to his invaluable explanations and stories, which make the two hours you spend there a unique experience. The trail is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Accommodation available.

For a complete discovery of the Kaw marshes, the nature reserve and the surrounding forest, take advantage of the expertise of this excellent agency. For the record, "Tigdilo" means "water tiger", ready to hunt the area with you! The guides know the area like the back of their hand, and will take you further than other service providers. The proposed tours are as follows: Caimans (2:30-9:30 p.m.): visit the village and marshes, meet the caimans at nightfall. Ti-punch stop by the creek. Bring your own picnic!

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 interior walls of this late ^19th-century church (dedicated to Saint Joseph) have been covered with original frescoes, justifying its classification as a historic monument since June 8, 1978. The paintings, the work of convict Pierre Huguet, a recidivist escapee under house arrest at Father Raffray's, cover some 600 m² of the church's interior. The work was carried out in 1892 and 1898. One day, Huguet, who was living in the presbytery, escaped. It was later learned that he perished in tragic circumstances. A historic stopover.

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 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 magnificent river, one of the most powerful in French Guiana, has been cut off since 1993 by a major hydroelectric structure: the controversial Petit Saut dam. The river can be travelled upstream from Petit Saut, between Kourou and Sinnamary, via the RN 1. Many beautiful jumps have been drowned by this huge artificial lake, making it much easier to navigate (and for illegal gold miners, too). A number of tourism professionals offer activities to discover the upper Sinnamary, which remains a magnificent, little-visited area with abundant wildlife.

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 former residence of the prison director is now the property of the Conservatoire du Littoral. Now restored, it has been transformed into a historical and cultural information and visitor center. Inside, you're sure to come across one of the center's generally well-designed temporary exhibitions (in addition to the permanent one), as well as postcards, souvenirs and historical works... The chronological panels on the walls are highly instructive. A recommended stopover.

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.

Located on the Esplanade, next to the pontoon, in a pretty pink and blue building, the office will answer all your questions. Professionalism and a smile are our motto! Information on accommodation, restaurants and leisure activities, as well as administrative, cultural and historical information about Saint-Laurent and the region. High-quality, original temporary exhibitions and boutique (crafts, books and postcards). Bicycle rental.

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.

This Ecomuseum traces the history of the Approuague, from the Amerindians to the region's current challenges. The vast Aubin-Laigné Creole house reveals the local history and natural environments that make up the entire Approuague-Kaw territory. Outside the house, the old sawmill offers an insight into woodworking, alongside a range of machinery linked to the sugar, rum and cocoa industries. An ideal stop-off to familiarize yourself with Régina's heritage.

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.

The Albatros is a catamaran with a maximum capacity of twelve people, ensuring a certain degree of intimacy on a trip to the Isles of Salut. Departure is from the fishermen's pontoon in Kourou at 7:30 am, with a return scheduled for around 6 pm. The crossing lasts one hour, and fresh water and tea are offered on board. You'll be able to make the most of your day between a visit to Île Royale and a picnic on the beach of Île Saint-Joseph (bring your own lunch). A short tour of the islands is scheduled for later in the day.

Experienced guide Thomas offers a variety of tours starting from the Balata creek, offering a wide range of activities: canoeing, kayaking, hiking, daytime and nighttime pirogue trips, archery, fishing, botanical trails and flora discovery, all in a very pleasant, flower-filled natural environment. Sleeping is in hammocks (camp capacity 20 people) and in beds (2 double beds) in magnificent traditional carbets. Meals, hammock, mosquito net and blanket are included in the price.

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.

The Amana nature reserve lies between the villages of Awala and Yalimapo, covering an area of around 14,800 hectares, from the Maroni to the mouth of the Organabo. Beaches, mangroves, lagoons, marshes and mudflats make up this wetland area, the management of which has been entrusted by the state to the Syndicat intercommunal à vocation unique (SIVU) de l'Amana since 1998. The aim is to learn more about the biology and behavior of sea turtles, and to protect one of the world's most important leatherback nesting sites. Visitor reception, public information, compliance with regulations and scientific monitoring are the SIVU's missions. A sea turtle museum completes the picture.

If you're in French Guiana between July and September, you can witness the hatching of the eggs: tiny turtles emerge from the earth into the ocean. You can save them by warding off predators, such as birds and dogs, who see this spectacle as an opportunity to feast. Today, Hattes beach is a victim of its own success: as far as possible, avoid coming to watch the turtles lay their eggs at weekends, as the crowds, unscrupulous about the intimacy of egg-laying, disturb the turtles.

The mangroves are also home to herons and egrets, while iguanas gather along the coast every year during the egg-laying season. Further south lies the Coswine River marsh, home to Guyana's only sphagnum bog.

The tourist office will be happy to guide you around this small village: guided tours of the church and the commune, as well as the hamlets of Bellevue and Dégrad-Savane, Morpio creek, forest walks starting from Organabo with an experienced guide... Local crafts and products are also on sale. The programme of events can be found on the town's website.

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.

Created in 1987, this military camp covers an area of 150 ha, but exercises take place in an area of around 900 ha to train commanders for extreme missions, among other things. The camp regularly welcomes units from other countries.

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.

Zico Joseph welcomes you to his carbet, located 1 hour 30 minutes from Cayenne, in a delightful setting for a total change of scenery. On 2 levels, you can hang over 35 hammocks, around a flower garden with kitchenette, a relaxation area for reading and a pontoon to enjoy the clear waters of the creek. Walks in the forest are also possible, on your own through the forest paths. The "cascades", about 200 meters away by canoe or swim, offer a pleasant break for fishing, swimming or simply taking a siesta by the water's edge.

It is the spiritual heart of Catholic Cayenne. In 1823, the Prefect Apostolic and the Administrator of French Guiana decided to build a new church to replace the dilapidated and cramped Saint-Nicolas. In 1933, Guyana's largest church became a cathedral. It was once surrounded by magnificent palm trees, which must have given it a certain allure. Restored in the 1990s, it has since been declared a historic monument.

A few brochures and a warm welcome.

Not far from Creeque Canceler is Creeque Toussaint, 3 km from the town of Sinnamary. Its sandy shores and the large carbet set up on the banks of the waterway invite you to take a restorative break or even a picnic stop (tables and benches are available). Fishermen and swimmers alike will be delighted by the creek's fish-filled waters: the shallow riverbed is quite wide, and a little deeper near the bridge.

Whether you want to enjoy the marshes and their caimans, or spend a night in a carbet in the middle of the jungle and enjoy the sandbanks and sunset, the îlot caïmans offers an experience in the Sinnamary marshes. Here's your chance to get up close to these wild beasts in their natural environment. In just one day, you can observe the caimans that come easily to the beach, discover the flight of the red ibis in a pirogue and take a hydrofoil ride to an islet. The welcome, however, is sometimes a little rough.

At the end of Pointe des Roches, the Tour Dreyfus is one of the few remaining vestiges of the former Kourou penitentiary. Inaugurated in 1856 for agricultural production, this small tower facing the sea served as a semaphore during the penal colony era, and enabled communication with the other penitentiary center in the vicinity: that of the îles du Salut. The buildings have since been demolished to make way for the Hôtel des Roches, still in operation today. The tower was named after the most famous prisoner in French Guiana: Alfred Dreyfus.

It's a district that could be crossed just to get to the landing stage (shuttles and catamarans to the islands of Salut), but it would be a shame not to take a tour. With its history and customs still very much alive, Vieux-Bourg deserves a little interest, if only for its picturesque atmosphere. This is also where you'll find bars, discotheques and restaurants - in other words, the whole nightlife scene. At the end of the avenue you'll find the fish market and the famous landing stage.