Guyane

The only French and European territory in South America, French Guiana is a vast jewel case of Amazonian rainforest bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. More than 90% covered by dense, unspoilt jungle, it is home to one of the richest biodiversities on the planet: jaguars, howler monkeys, caimans, macaws and morpho butterflies inhabit a territory as large as Portugal but very sparsely populated.

This spectacular nature makes it a unique adventure destination. You travel up the majestic rivers by dugout canoe to Amerindian and Bushinengue villages, watch leatherback turtles nest on the beaches of Amana, and explore nature reserves and canopy trails. Lovers of wide open spaces experience a total immersion here, far from mass tourism.

French Guiana is also the home of European space conquest: the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, from which Ariane rockets are launched, offers fascinating tours. The Salvation Islands, a former notorious penal colony, and Cayenne, a multicultural capital with colourful Creole houses, tell a singular story, between memory and cultural diversity.

Amerindian, Creole, Bushinengue, Hmong and metropolitan blending, spicy markets, a colourful carnival and cuisine with flavours from elsewhere complete the experience. Intense, refreshing and profoundly natural, French Guiana appeals to travellers seeking authenticity, adventure and discoveries off the beaten track, best explored during the dry season.

Preparing a trip to French Guiana takes some organisation, given how vast and wild the territory is. The dry season, from July to November, makes excursions in the forest and on the rivers easier. A stay in a carbet in the heart of the jungle, travelling up the Maroni by dugout canoe, visiting the Kourou Space Centre, night-time observation of caimans and birds, swimming in the creeks: adventure is everywhere. What to do in French Guiana for a successful immersion? It is best to favour ecolodges, local guides and encounters with the communities. An ideal destination for curious, nature-loving travellers, French Guiana offers a rare, intense and deeply refreshing experience, far from conventional tourism.