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DÉCOUVRIR

Not to be missed !

Looking for a change of scenery? Welcome to Saint Laurent du Maroni!
Located 258 km from Cayenne, Saint Laurent du Maroni is a “destination within a destination”. Indeed, the heart of the French Amazon rainforest offers a kaleidoscope of unusual sites waiting to be explored.
Don’t miss our selection of key sites to visit.

The Transportation Camp

The Transportation Camp was built by the inhabitants, including the convicts themselves. A guided tour will reveal the town’s history. Once through the great arch, you will embark on a journey through time. Between 1852 and 1938, approximately 70,000 convicts were sent to French Guiana. In 1938, thanks to the influence of Gaston Monnerville, who was French Guiana’s MP at the time, the labour camp was abolished by law. It wasn’t until the end of the World War II that the labour camps closed for good. Our guides will show you the relics of those bygone days and help you appreciate the site’s conversion into the cultural centre it is today.

For more information
Guided tours in French take place every day and do not require booking. Guided tours in English and Dutch and group tours must be booked at least 48hrs in advance.

Tour schedule

SEPTEMBER TO JUNE: Mondays – 3 pm and 4:30pm
Tuesdays to Saturdays - 9:30 am / 11 am / 15 pm and 16:30 pm
Sundays & bank holidays - 09:30 am /11am
JULY & AUGUST: Daily - 09:30 am /11am /15pm /16:30 pm

Opening hours of the Tourist Office

SEPTEMBER TO JUNE
Mondays: 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Tuesdays to Saturdays: 08 am -12:30 pm and 14:30 pm - 17:30 pm
Sundays and bank holidays: 08:30 am - 12 pm

JULY & AUGUST:
From Mondays to Fridays - 08 am to 5:30 pm
Saturdays - 08 am to 12:30 pm / 14:30 pm to 17:30 pm
Sundays and bank holidays - 9 am to 12.30 pm / 14.30 pm to 17:30pm


« Camp la Nuit Tombe » (night tour)

From June to October, we offer a guided tour of Camp de la Transportation at nightfall. Only here, in the glow of torches and candles, can you hear the convicts singing and listen to the story told by Henri Charrière, aka “Papillon”.

For more information
Tours take place on scheduled dates, must be booked and are subject to weather conditions.

Information and tickets available at the Tourist Office (+594) 594 34 23 98.

Prices : 15 €/ adulte – 8 €/ kid (less than 12)

The « Petit Paris » district

Founded on 21 February 1858 by Admiral Auguste-Laurent Baudin, governor of French Guiana, Saint Laurent du Maroni remains to this day the only example of a French penitential town. The labour camp has left its mark here, through a combination of high-quality colonial architecture and advantageous urban planning projects.
The well-known French writer and journalist, Albert Londres, nicknamed this part of the town “Little Paris” when he came to Saint Laurent du Maroni in June 1923.

To explore this remarkable heritage, you can choose from a few different options: an unguided tour on foot or by bicycle, or a guided theme tour “in the footsteps of Albert Londres”

The market

The market is still in the same location as it was in the days of the labour camp. It is a meeting place where the town’s wide range of cultures can all come together. The colourful Saint-Laurent du Maroni market offers a variety of local fruits and vegetables, textiles and pieces made by local craftsmen. Some surprises await your taste buds!

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday,06:00 am to 14:00 pm in Place Flore Lithaw.

Night market

First Thursday of each month from 16:00 pm to 21:00 pm in front of the Tourist Office.

The OAT association (Ouest Agro-Transformation) invites you to try their 100% local produce.

The Maroni River

Boating on the Maroni is a unique, unforgettable experience. Enriching encounters with the river’s inhabitants await you. Professional guides will expertly guide you on your exploration of this rich environment and its fauna, which is inconspicuous but there to be discovered. Open your eyes and ears wide!


CHUITY LIBA

(+594) 694 96 99 81

chuityliba@yahoo.com


MARONI TOURS

(+594) 694 40 80 40/ (+594) 694 21 85 85/ (+594) 594 30 70 80

www.maronitours.com / maronitours@wanadoo.fr


SABI ALIBA

(+594) 594 34 13 04/ (+594) 694 41 29 54

www.wesabialiba.overblog.com / sabialiba@yahoo.fr


BUSHI KAMPOE

(+594) 694 95 54 63


Recommended equipment for trips on the river:
Hammock and mosquito net, waterproof bag, hat or cap, Bermuda shorts, t-shirts, shorts, warm clothing for night-time (tracksuit bottoms or tights) and socks, swimming costume, towels, toiletries, torch, walking shoes or trainers, water shoes, raincoat or rain poncho, plastic bags, mosquito cream and first-aid kit, sun glasses and sun cream.

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