Anecdotes

The Guiana Space Centre, near Kourou, has been the launch site for many European Space Agency missions. The proximity to the equator providing an ideal location for launching spacecraft. See our French Guiana sailing guide to know more. Devil’s Island was used as a penal colony by the French government until 1953. Among the most famous prisoners was Captain Alfred Dreyfus, whose wrongful conviction for treason in the late 19th century sparked international controversy. On the other side, the Maroon communities, descendants of escaped African slaves who established settlements along the Maroni River, have developed ingenious boat-building techniques. These handcrafted pirogues symbolise the resilience and ingenuity of the Maroon people.