last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in French Guiana
Contributionsversion #1created Dec 11, 2019Report this pageLatest contributions in this guideContributors to this guide
Location Map of French Guiana
French Guiana
Open the interactive map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
French Guiana has no sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Awala-Yalimapo
With its Les Hattes beach, this Indigenous municipality on the northern coast facing Suriname is one of the last nesting sites for leatherback turtles.
With its Les Hattes beach, this Indigenous municipality on the northern coast facing Suriname is one of the last nesting sites for leatherback turtles.
Cacao
This small Hmong village south of Cayenne is known for its weekly market and Hmong New Year celebrations. You can also enjoy various ecotourism activities in the surrounding area.
This small Hmong village south of Cayenne is known for its weekly market and Hmong New Year celebrations. You can also enjoy various ecotourism activities in the surrounding area.
Cayenne
The capital of French Guiana still has some beautiful Creole houses. It also hosts one of the region’s most interesting carnivals every year.
The capital of French Guiana still has some beautiful Creole houses. It also hosts one of the region’s most interesting carnivals every year.
Iracoubo
Just a few kilometres from Saint-Laurent, this large village boasts a beautifully decorated church classified as a historic monument.
Just a few kilometres from Saint-Laurent, this large village boasts a beautifully decorated church classified as a historic monument.
Salvation Islands
These three islands off the coast of Kourou once housed part of the penal colony, whose facilities can still be visited today.
These three islands off the coast of Kourou once housed part of the penal colony, whose facilities can still be visited today.
Kourou
The third-largest city in French Guiana is world-famous for its space centre, which can be partially visited.
The third-largest city in French Guiana is world-famous for its space centre, which can be partially visited.
Maripasoula
Upstream on the Maroni River, this vast municipality covers a quarter of the department and lies at the heart of a gold-mining area. You can reach it by boat from the coast.
Upstream on the Maroni River, this vast municipality covers a quarter of the department and lies at the heart of a gold-mining area. You can reach it by boat from the coast.
Remire-Montjoly
This town in the suburbs of Cayenne is home to the department’s most beautiful beach. It also features some historical landmarks, such as Fort Diamant and "L'habitation Vidal".
This town in the suburbs of Cayenne is home to the department’s most beautiful beach. It also features some historical landmarks, such as Fort Diamant and "L'habitation Vidal".
Saint-Georges on the Oyapock
This is the town on the Oyapock River through which all land traffic passes between French Guiana and Brazil.
This is the town on the Oyapock River through which all land traffic passes between French Guiana and Brazil.
Saint-Laurent du Maroni
The second-largest town in the department, facing Suriname. It is known for housing the remnants of the penal colony.
The second-largest town in the department, facing Suriname. It is known for housing the remnants of the penal colony.
Saül
A small village in the heart of French Guiana, accessible only by plane, from which you can take forest walks.
A small village in the heart of French Guiana, accessible only by plane, from which you can take forest walks.
Natural Heritage
Amazon Rainforest
The planet's largest forest, spanning nine countries, boasts rich and diverse wildlife and plant life that can be explored (alongside local communities) through treks or boat trips on the Amazon and other rivers.
The planet's largest forest, spanning nine countries, boasts rich and diverse wildlife and plant life that can be explored (alongside local communities) through treks or boat trips on the Amazon and other rivers.
Maroni River
The river separates Suriname from French Guiana. You can navigate it and explore its banks, the forest, or the few villages along its shores. It’s also at its mouth (on the Surinam side) that the Galibi Nature Reserve, known for turtle nesting, is located.
The river separates Suriname from French Guiana. You can navigate it and explore its banks, the forest, or the few villages along its shores. It’s also at its mouth (on the Surinam side) that the Galibi Nature Reserve, known for turtle nesting, is located.
Sinnamary River
It is one of the largest rivers in French Guiana and, like the other waterways in the region, is navigable. Its estuary is home to a rich variety of wildlife (turtles, birds, manatees, caimans).
It is one of the largest rivers in French Guiana and, like the other waterways in the region, is navigable. Its estuary is home to a rich variety of wildlife (turtles, birds, manatees, caimans).
Îlet la Mère
Off the coast of Cayenne, this small island is home to a population of monkeys and offers walks along its trails to discover lush nature.
Off the coast of Cayenne, this small island is home to a population of monkeys and offers walks along its trails to discover lush nature.
Kaw Marshes
This vast swamp near Cayenne is explored by canoe and attracts quite a few visitors. Besides numerous birds, you’ll see plenty of caimans.
This vast swamp near Cayenne is explored by canoe and attracts quite a few visitors. Besides numerous birds, you’ll see plenty of caimans.
Guiana Amazonian Park
Adjacent to Brazil’s Tumucumaque National Park and covering nearly 35,000 km², it is the world’s largest protected tropical rainforest area.
Adjacent to Brazil’s Tumucumaque National Park and covering nearly 35,000 km², it is the world’s largest protected tropical rainforest area.
Must-see & highly recommended
Amazon Rainforest
★★★★ The planet's largest forest, spanning nine countries, boasts rich and diverse wildlife and plant life that can be explored (alongside local…
Recommended
Salvation Islands
★★★ These three islands off the coast of Kourou once housed part of the penal colony, whose facilities can still be visited today.
Kaw Marshes
★★★ This vast swamp near Cayenne is explored by canoe and attracts quite a few visitors. Besides numerous birds, you’ll see plenty of…
Guiana Amazonian Park
★★★ Adjacent to Brazil’s Tumucumaque National Park and covering nearly 35,000 km², it is the world’s largest protected tropical…
Worth a look / Other
Cayenne
★★ The capital of French Guiana still has some beautiful Creole houses. It also hosts one of the region’s most interesting carnivals…
Maroni River
★★ The river separates Suriname from French Guiana. You can navigate it and explore its banks, the forest, or the few villages along its…
Sinnamary River
★★ It is one of the largest rivers in French Guiana and, like the other waterways in the region, is navigable. Its estuary is home to a rich…
Kourou
★★ The third-largest city in French Guiana is world-famous for its space centre, which can be partially visited.
Remire-Montjoly
★★ This town in the suburbs of Cayenne is home to the department’s most beautiful beach. It also features some historical landmarks…
Saint-Laurent du Maroni
★★ The second-largest town in the department, facing Suriname. It is known for housing the remnants of the penal colony.
Awala-Yalimapo
★ With its Les Hattes beach, this Indigenous municipality on the northern coast facing Suriname is one of the last nesting sites for…
Cacao
★ This small Hmong village south of Cayenne is known for its weekly market and Hmong New Year celebrations. You can also enjoy various…
Approuague River
★ You can travel upstream by pirogue on this river in southern French Guiana.
Mana River
★ Another navigable river, renowned for its many rapids.
Oyapock River
★ It serves as the border with Brazil and is navigated by boat.
Îlet la Mère
★ Off the coast of Cayenne, this small island is home to a population of monkeys and offers walks along its trails to discover lush nature.
Iracoubo
★ Just a few kilometres from Saint-Laurent, this large village boasts a beautifully decorated church classified as a historic monument.
Maripasoula
★ Upstream on the Maroni River, this vast municipality covers a quarter of the department and lies at the heart of a gold-mining area. You…
Montsinery
★ This small town near Cayenne is home to the Bagne des Anamites.
Saint-Georges on the Oyapock
★ This is the town on the Oyapock River through which all land traffic passes between French Guiana and Brazil.
Saül
★ A small village in the heart of French Guiana, accessible only by plane, from which you can take forest walks.