Tourist Attractions & Monuments French Guiana

The Botanical Garden of Cayenne is a pleasant green space on the outskirts of Cayenne, which, despite the fact that it sometimes lacks a little maintenance, constitutes a very beautiful space for relaxation. Created in 1879 by the Conseil Général to replace, on a smaller scale, the Jardin Royal des Plantes created in 1820 by the colonial administration, this garden became the Baduel nursery, which was later abandoned due to insufficient yields from the eleven-hectare operation.

Now stretching over three hectares, the Jardin Botanique de Cayenne is the city's largest landscaped green space, and is dedicated to walking and relaxation. Plants of seemingly infinite shapes and colors line the countless paths and tracks, while educational totems set up here and there along the way tell you all about their origins.

Whether you're a Guianese resident or just passing through, you're sure to be amazed by the variety of plant species found here, starting with the ninety-nine different species in the palm family alone! Although not all of these species are represented in the botanical garden, you'll still be able to appreciate a fine sample. It should also be noted that the site is occasionally used as a backdrop for official events and other cultural festivals. A must for nature lovers!

While not spectacular, these falls are an opportunity to dip your feet in pure, white water. Take care when moving around, as the humidity makes the rocks very slippery. The area is pleasant, but lacks maintenance. The wooden installations have deteriorated and some unscrupulous visitors "forget" to pick up their garbage. What a shame! To get there, a difficult, steep laterite path on the right leaves the road on the left. 3 km further on, a clearing invites you to leave your vehicle and head for the waterfalls below.

Beautiful local handicrafts are on sale. You can book a night in the adjoining municipal carbet.

At the edge of the forest, opposite the Montsinéry zoo, you'll have to leave your vehicle behind and walk the 400 m to reach Creeque Patate (just take a white sand track to get there). The rainy season often makes this an impassable spot, unless you're a daredevil! Otherwise, it's an ideal place to enjoy a sunny afternoon, swim and picnic. Creeque Patate is very popular with the local population, so the site tends to be very busy at weekends.

This waterway had its heyday in the days of gold panning. Today, Cayenne Islanders have built their weekend cabins here. Despite the noise of the outboard motors, the calm of the forest is soon restored as you pass the village of Cacao and the Saut Bief. Shortly afterwards, Bagot Creek can be climbed for a few kilometers. The river's often low water level means you'll have to be careful and pull your canoe along the creek's sandy bottom. Several bivouac sites are available.

The main attraction of Régina is the Approuague, a wild, deserted river, the fourth longest in French Guiana (270 km). It rises in the Massif Central south of Saül. Among its magnificent jumps, the most famous are the Grand-Machicou and the Grand-Canori, the most spectacular in the region with its 19 m vertical drop. This road, or rather liquid trail, was used in the last century by the adventurers of El Dorado. Today, only the names of Impératrice, Titine, Boeuf-Mort, Dardanelles... still sing the epic tale of these adventurers of days gone by. The ascent can be very difficult during the dry season. The Approuague has a notorious reputation for breaking equipment. The rocks hidden just a few centimetres under the water are much harder than the motor's propeller. The ascent from Régina should be made with the tide in mind: pushed by the tide, you'll save a lot of time and fuel.

A few kilometers from Régina, on the right bank of the Approuague, lies the hamlet of Saint-Esprit. The discovery of this tiny, timeless village, populated by just a few souls, will come as a surprise. Every year on June 24, followers of the Colombe d'Or (Golden Dove) engage in a number of ritual practices, including walking barefoot across a bed of embers: a mystical atmosphere and guaranteed thrills!

Still on the right bank of the Approuague, we come across the Mataroni River. The flora and fauna here are quite rich, with the exception of the first few kilometers where the Legion has set up camp. After crossing the Yapoura, Bois, Dagomelle and Magasin jumps, and finally the Lavillette jump, the pirogue has to be pulled up onto the rocks after a long walk. At the foot of the jump, there's a very pleasant bivouac and swimming area.

Continuing up the Approuague, we arrive at the Tourépé jump, the first and, for some, the last, as the "Tourépé wave" can be difficult. After passing Saut Mapaou, where the tide finally stops, you reach the magnificent site of Saut Athanase, dominated by the village of the same name on the heights of the right bank, then Cisame.

After Saut Colonis, the river becomes narrower, more beautiful and wilder. Saut Aïkoupaï offers you the chance to bivouac on the islet on the left bank. You leave the Arataï River on your right.

After crossing the Kalawéli jump, you arrive at Grand-Machicou. The site is equipped with several carbets, some of which are covered. The site is truly beautiful. Allow 3 days for the round trip from Régina. Climbing Machicou is another matter... Machicou has five steps, so you have to find the passes, and that's where the problem lies. The best solution is to wait for a supply boat of gold miners to show up. Follow it, but be careful... you'll first have to motor up the first four steps. The fifth step is impassable, and you'll have to carry the canoe 250 m through the forest. Many canoes, overloaded or hesitant, or lacking sufficient power, end up at the bottom of the river. A veritable Ali Baba's cave is thus found at a depth of 7 m to 8 m: canoes, motors, guns and even, it seems, gold. After all that effort, a punch will be welcome to savor the victory over the Grand-Machicou. The ascent continues, easily over the Petit-Machicou jump, followed by the barely perceptible Ménado, Bois-Blanc, Bouchard and Petit-Canori jumps.

The Petit-Canori can be motorized via a small bistoury on the left bank. Beware, the current is quite strong and there are a lot of stones at water level. It is therefore advisable, if you have an aluminum hull, to cross the jump directly in the middle by pulling the boat with a rope, a fairly easy and safer method. Once you've cleared the jump, it's just 5 minutes to the splendid Grand-Canori jump, which creates Guyana's highest waterfall, 19 m high and 400 m long. At the foot of the jump, you'll find a superb bivouac site. To protect the site, the trail does not go as far as the falls.

Grand-Canori often represents the end of the climb up the Approuague. The rest is more of an expedition: first, you have to carry the boat over the jump. A wide, 2 km-long layon on the right bank takes you there. It takes a good day to complete this portage. Be aware that gold miners pull 200-litre drums of petrol up the slopes of this layon, carry engines weighing over 80 kg, and above all pull, push and carry long, heavy wooden canoes weighing several hundred kilos. The course of the Approuague above Grand-Canori is wilder, and jumps are more dangerous due to the stronger current. If before Grand-Canori you saw few birds and game, now you'll see plenty. The Petit-Japigny and Grand-Japigny jumps provide good bivouacs. A natural grotto beneath Grand-Japigny is a great photo opportunity. There are several more or less legal gold-panning sites in the upper Approuague. It takes 2 days to reach Grand-Machicou and another day to reach Grand-Canori.

Upstream from the falls, a trail leads to the Vieux Broussard falls, also known as the second Voltaires falls, which take around 2h30 to complete. The unsecured trail requires good physical condition and the ability to find your way through the forest. The falls are beautiful, rising 41 m above sea level. While the site is magnificent, the pools at Vieux Broussard can be dangerous: stay vigilant and keep an eye on young children when swimming!

Headphones on, tune in to the Mananese frequency and stroll through the town to the rhythm of the voices of its inhabitants: anecdotes, daily life, cuisine, leisure, memory, identity... a concentrate of Guyanese life! The audio tour starts at the Tourism Department and winds its way through the town from east to west. To experience it for yourself, go to the corner of rue Bastié and rue Javouhey, where you'll be given a free map and audio guide.

A descendant of slaves, Guyanese politician and humanist, Félix Eboué had been colonial governor of Chad since July 1938 when he joined the Free French following General de Gaulle's Appeal of June 18, 1940. He was soon followed by the other countries of French Equatorial Africa, illustrating his patriotism as a hero of the Liberation. He was the "first resistance fighter from overseas France", but also the first black man to achieve such a high rank when he was appointed governor of Guadeloupe in 1936.

In 1883, Félix Eboué's father acquired a plot of land at 37 rue Richelieu. He had a single-storey colonial house built on the corner of the street, which today bears his son's name. As in most Creole houses of the period, the kitchen was located outside, in the courtyard. Acquired by the General Council of French Guiana in 1989, Félix Eboué's birthplace has since been transformed into a museum. It presents the history of the resistance fighter and his political career, from his posting to Oubangui-Chari to his governorship of Chad, via his years of interim governance in Guadeloupe. Explanatory panels and period artefacts provide an insight into the life of "this great African Frenchman" - as General de Gaulle described him on his death - the first black man to be buried in the Pantheon on May 20, 1949, at the same time as Victor Schoelcher, author of the decree abolishing slavery.

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.

The park covers the communes of Mana, Awala-Yalimapo, Regina-Kaw and Roura. Although the aim of the park is to enhance the natural, cultural and ethnological heritage of these regions, it is not subject to any real regulations. However, objectives have been set with an obligation to achieve results over a specific period of time. In a nutshell, the Regional Nature Park of French Guiana (PNRG) aims to develop a quality rural territory, inhabited and enhanced.

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.

In the days of the penal colony, epidemics were commonplace due to the poor sanitary conditions and promiscuity of the prisoners. To curb the spread of epidemics such as leprosy, the speed of which was increased tenfold by the tropical climate, it was decided that convicts who contracted the disease would be quarantined on this islet, immortalized in the film Papillon (1973). Today, there are no facilities left to visit, but it has become a pleasant spot, particularly for picnicking, as a carbet has been installed for this purpose.

Prefecture of French Guiana since 1947, this U-shaped establishment was originally a Jesuit convent whose mission was to serve parishes, catechize slaves and, above all, convert Amerindians. Built between 1749 and 1752, the French ban on Jesuits in the colonies from 1762 forced them to abandon the site. Under the mandate of Victor Hugues, the building became the Hôtel des Gouverneurs and later housed the prefecture.

The falls Voltaire - with a drop of 45 m spread over a length of 200 m - have a flow that varies according to the season and are a particularly popular site in French Guiana: it's best to enquire in advance at the Auberge about available places.

How to get there. From Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, at the traffic circle, follow the road between the stadium and the cemetery towards Saint-Jean (D11). After about 2.5 km on the Saint-Jean road, turn left at the large bend: you'll come to Lac Bleu. Turn right at the sign. Continue on route Paul-Isnard. You'll pass the rum distillery (on your right). The road will be asphalted for 10 km, before giving way to laterite as the track enters the forest. If you fancy a picnic, you can stop off at PK 27.5 at Tatou Creek. Pass the slaughterhouses that line the first few kilometers, and the sawmill at PK 32. You'll also pass a checkpoint. At around PK 46, you'll come to two tracks. Take the one on the right. At PK 67, you pass the Apatou crossroads, where you cross a camp (straight ahead). At PK 70, you'll come to the parking lot (an open area) of the Auberge Voltaire, where you can leave your car. 300 m further on, you'll find an information panel at the entrance to the ONF-marked trail. The path is on the left after passing the creek, where a bridge has collapsed. The trail to the falls winds for around 3.3 km (approx. 1.5 hrs walk) along Voltaire Creek.

Built in 1938 by convicts, Mana's church stands out for its Wapa wood shingle roof flanked by a high bell tower. A timeless jewel in the heart of the village, its sky-blue façade is a must-see. In 1945, the convict Bourgeois painted the Christ of the starry vault. On the forecourt, the bust of Anne-Marie Javouhey, Superior General of the Congrégation des soeurs de Saint Joseph de Cluny and founder of the village of Mana, pays homage to the Reverend Mother.

Since 2012, this establishment - a veritable little museum of Guyanese culture - has been exhibiting and selling items from local crafts. You'll find jewelry, hut skies and pottery. Videos and documents are made available to the public, showing the different processes involved in making the objects. On Saturdays, it becomes a real meeting place for sharing know-how, thanks to the various workshops on offer (engraving, sculpture, etc.).

Laser game, slides, bouncy castle, ball pool, electric karting, etc. The perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon with the family, or to celebrate a birthday. L'Île aux Trésors offers birthday packages (for 8 children or more) including park admission, tokens for children's go-karts, unlimited water/syrup, cake and candles, popcorn, souvenir photo and invitation cards. Perfect for kids... and parents! All aboard!

Departing from the Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni tourist office, Chuity Liba offers excursions of various lengths, from a 3-hour walk around the town to a day trip to Apatou (upstream on the Maroni River), not forgetting the classic half-day trip on the Maroni, including several stops in the Amerindian and black maroon villages along its banks. Don't hesitate to give them a call for more information and to find out what's on the agenda for future outings. A friendly, serious team.

These two rivers are not often explored by visitors. Yet it is possible to fish for black piranha, of which there is no shortage in Grand-Laussat creek! Here, a Saramaca village, which lives to the rhythm of the sun and the forest, offers a genuine journey back in time, thanks to its simplicity and authenticity. You can take a guided excursion into the forest to discover its riches, canoe up the creek and discover Saramaca handicrafts.

The Mana River, Guyana's wildest river, cannot be tamed. It has to be earned, and discovering it is undoubtedly a singular experience, requiring good physical condition, a certain spirit of adventure and excluding amateurism. Fortunately, there are a number of easy and inexpensive ways to enjoy the mysterious atmosphere of this region for a day or a weekend. Alas, the river is increasingly damaged by gold-panning, and fewer and fewer service providers are offering it as part of their program.

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.

Patrick Fresquet, a specialist in aïmara fishing on the Sinnamary, also offers a range of hikes, treks and pirogue outings... It's also possible to sleep in the Takari tanté carbet, upstream from the Petit-Saut dam, with 20 hammock places, wood-fired cooking and swimming. There are activities to suit all budgets and experiences, so don't hesitate to take a look at their website: Patrick, a colorful character, knows French Guiana inside out and shares the territory's secrets with passion.

Molokoï, which means "earth tortoise" in Creole, is the longest signposted trail in French Guiana: you'll cover around 20 km of the Sentier Molokoï in around 9 hours of walking, over 2 days. It's best to start from the former Auberge des Orpailleurs, as you'll finish the second day with a gentle, long descent. Just 8.5 km from the Auberge, you'll find a camp with 3 carbets on the banks of Boulanger Creek. With a capacity of 15 hammocks, there's a place for everyone, provided you book (and pay in advance).

This temporary exhibition hall for Guyanese artists offers a wide range of events relating to the history and culture of the people of Rémire-Montjoly and its immediate surroundings, including Cayenne. It occupies the walls of Rémire-Montjoly's first school, built in 1908 to accommodate those affected by the eruption of Mount Pelée, which unleashed fiery clouds on the island of Martinique in 1902.

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.

With its source in the Yiji Pripris, Canceler Creek is a calm stream where you can splash around to cool off in the hottest hours of the day. In an exceptionally verdant setting, people come here to relax, sheltered from the rain and the sun under the two carbets (which are perhaps a little lacking in maintenance), sitting on the rocks that line the creek, or in the calm of the hammock you've stretched out in the shade between two trees. A little corner of paradise, which often gets very crowded at weekends.

At the entrance of Pripri De Yiyi, Maison de la Nature offers to enter the heart of the marais thanks to the canoe rental. Eco-museum has permanent and temporary exhibitions, works naturalist and aquariums allowing to observe fish of the marais.

If you're driving between Iracoubo and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, you'll find the village of Bellevue about ten kilometers from the town. It's the perfect place to stop and discover the crafts and traditional way of life of the Amerindians. In 2018, the village was granted 1,000 hectares of land to develop abattis and secure the community's future. Cécile Kouyouri, the village's customary chief, was the first Guyanese woman to achieve this status in 1997. Don't hesitate to stop by!

Because of its location, Morpio Creek is certainly one of the best-known coves in French Guiana. It is located on the edge of the N1 motorway, and is laid out like a rest area. Several carbets, some with hooks for hammocks, invite you to rest, while tables and benches are ideal for picnics. The site is well-maintained and ideal for swimming: the water's color - golden red - is surprisingly clean.

On the harbor quays, a few tapouilles - keel-less boats ideal for coastal sailing - have been adorned by their owners with naive paintings. Beyond the Laussat cove, you enter an area "undergoing rehabilitation": a few Brazilian, Creole or Chinese restaurants, and at nightfall, ladies offering their charms while the air is filled with forbidden scents. Unaccompanied visits to "Chicago" are not recommended.

Pointe Buzaré used to be covered by mangroves, but these have now disappeared, mainly due to the systematic felling by local residents of mangroves, the tropical trees that thrive along sea shores. The site now offers a relaxing setting: a rocky promontory facing the ocean, protected by palm trees, and a sandy beach. And the remaining marshland is a remarkable site for birdwatching. A place to admire beautiful sunsets. Late-night visits not recommended.

The Groupe d'études et de protection des oiseaux en Guyane regularly organizes birdwatching outings for the general public, and its members will certainly be able to guide you or give you explanations on a particular bird. Keep up to date with news and events on their website. Here are a few tips from GEPOC: always allow enough time to get home before dark, and bring an electric torch with you. And if you're unfamiliar with the region, be sure to bring someone with you!

Installed in the center of Place Léopold-Héder, the fountain dates back to the first water supply from the Rorota mountains in Rémire. The work was carried out by convicts at the end of the ^19th century. Built in 1867, the fountain was dedicated to Governor Tardy de Montravel, who had succeeded in solving the town's water supply problem: as soon as he was appointed Governor of French Guiana on February 16, 1959, he set about improving the health of the entire Bagne territory.

Madame Louison's "Bois de Rose" botanical garden is a one-of-a-kind site where you can admire almost 600 species of plants, including the traveler's tree(ravenala), the ornamental banana(musa), the calabash, the croton, 150 orchids and palm trees. Don't forget to bring a picnic lunch so that, after a stroll along the lake, you can relax under the kiosk, a veritable haven of peace. A carbet has recently been added for overnight stays!

The association offers excursions until Léodate jump. Departures are for groups of a minimum of 7 people. Accommodation at the camp in hammock (not supplied).

Open Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 16:30,
Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Three possible options, ranging from € 90 per person for a day, up to £ 165 for 3 days and 2 nights.

Renovated, the chapel is now open to visitors taking a guided tour (or asking for the keys). The chapel features frescoes by forger Francis Lagrange, who spent 18 years in prison. At the request of the bishop of Cayenne, he painted these satirical pictures in the chapel between 1940 and 1948, even though he is a firm atheist. Throughout his imprisonment, he painted some 250 canvases, all signed with the same unique name: Flag. Don't miss his fresco on the Place des Palmistes in Cayenne.

The start-up of this industrial complex made headlines in the spring of 1994. The event was even reported in the mainland newspapers. From the outset, the project sparked confrontations between EDF managers on the one hand, and conservationists and residents of Sinnamary on the other. Construction lasted six years (1989-1995), mobilizing 1,000 people at a total cost of 442 million euros. The dam's impoundment resulted in the flooding of some 360 km² of Amazonian forest, home to an abundance of wildlife.

Environmentalists were therefore outraged by the situation. On the other hand, the inhabitants of Sinnamary have voiced their concern about the quality of the river water that feeds the town. The flooding of the forest has led to the decomposition of plant matter, resulting in a form of natural pollution for an indefinite period. In response, EDF set up a water oxygenation system to limit pollution, and organized a vast scientific operation to save as many animals as possible from drowning.

Today, the dam's production covers half of the coastline's consumption. Although tempers seem to have calmed somewhat since then, history will record that it was the lack of communication between the various players involved that triggered the clashes. Today, when the rainy and flooding seasons arrive, we cast a worried glance in the direction of the dam...

Kourou's beaches are one of the few in French Guiana to be equipped with picnic facilities, a fitness trail for joggers and children's play areas... With views of the Isles of Salut when the horizon is clear, and birdwatching during the migration season! Bring your hammock, as it's de rigueur here to take a siesta in the shade of the palm trees. The small Pim-Poum beach is the most attractive, but there's also the livelier Cocoteraie, with its beach bars and skatepark.

Located in the Pariacabo industrial zone in Kourou, the Centre d'Archéologie Amérindienne de Kourou offers visitors the chance to discover pre-Columbian culture in French Guiana. This archaeological interpretation center is located in the immediate vicinity of the "Carapa Engraved Rocks" site, classified as a historic monument on November 18, 1993. More than 200 polissoirs and rock engravings are found on these rocks, known as the "Hippopotamus of the Savannah". Mysteries waiting to be discovered.

The aim of this organization is to federate the various players involved in carnival, THE major cultural event in French Guiana! The association operates mainly during the carnival season, bringing together the various carnival groups and offering advice on parades, the festival itself and, if necessary, help in finding a costume. Don't hesitate to contact them if you're visiting during the carnival season.

Adjacent to the Place des Palmistes, the former Place de Grenoble forms the historic center of Cayenne and is home to some superb colonial buildings (including the pretty Fontaine de Montravel). Nestled in the former Jesuit convent, this is where you'll find the Hôtel de la Préfecture and its beautiful colonnade, added to the building's façade at the instigation of Governor Chanel in 1925. Place Léopold-Héder was listed as a historic monument on March 9, 1999.

The tourist office is well stocked with brochures of all kinds and maps of the city. The very competent and willing staff are on hand to provide information on upcoming events in and around Cayenne, as well as in the rest of French Guiana. In particular, they offer a "discovery of Creole houses" tour of Cayenne. A highly recommended stopover when visiting downtown Cayenne, next to Place des Palmistes.

Tatou Cove is a place to relax and swim in the middle of the forest, with three carbets for picnics and board games. In the immediate vicinity of the site, there's a 2.5 km trail for walkers. Those wishing to spend the night should bring a tarpaulin in case of rain, as there are no sleeping carbets. In the rainy season, the trail is inaccessible (if you're not sure about the condition of the trail, check with the Saint-Laurent tourist office). A good stopover before Voltaire Falls!

The Trésor trail passes through a rather well-preserved primary forest and takes its name from the Placer Trésor, which was mined for gold for many years, then abandoned (the remains are outside the reserve). As this is a regional nature reserve, the plant species you'll find are clearly described. The botanical trail (1.7 km, loop) takes about 1.30 hours to complete. Alternatively, follow the Carbone trail (1.4 km).

The Royal Ti-Punch catamaran is one of the boats you can take on a tour of the islands from Kourou. Departures are at 8:30 a.m., with a return in the late afternoon. The skippers on board, assisted by their crews, are very professional and friendly, offering refreshments to passengers, whose maximum number cannot exceed 28. The catamaran can also be privatized for special events. Customized services (catering, parties, etc.) are available on request.

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.

Harvested in French Guiana from the drowned lands of the Approuague River, from ^18th-century plantations that have been abandoned, Cacao d'Amazonie combines ancestral Amerindian know-how with wood-fired roasting and European chocolate-making techniques, making it unique. On-site production of pure organic cocoa paste sticks, multi-flavored bars and chocolate bonbons filled with touka praline, coconut-cinnamon flavor, palm tarpaulin, ganache or wassai. Discover them for yourself!

Since 1994, this association has been involved in the study and conservation of Guiana's fauna, conducting programs on emblematic endangered species. It is particularly active in the protection of turtles and their nesting grounds: a team of guides supervises egg-laying and advises walkers (don't hesitate to talk to them, they're real turtle enthusiasts!). It also manages the Salines natural site on Montjoly beach and conducts environmental education initiatives throughout French Guiana.

This trail was inaugurated by the ONF in 2014. A sign hidden behind the foliage indicates the entrance to a narrow path that follows the course of a stream before emptying into a cave, a nesting area for the "coq-de-roche" bird. After less than 30 minutes' walk, you reach the observatory site. From March to April, you'll find magnificent birds with bright orange plumage (males) topped by a rounded crest, looking to mate with discreet, brown-plumaged females. Don't forget your binoculars... and be quiet!