Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, Border town in northwestern French Guiana, France.
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni sits on the eastern bank of the Maroni River, marking the boundary with Suriname. The town functions as an administrative center with a port and airport that handle trade and transportation for the region.
The town began in 1858 as the headquarters of a penal settlement and later became an administrative center. The largest prison complex in France operated here until it closed in 1944.
The town is home to people from many backgrounds who speak French while maintaining their own languages and customs. This diversity shapes daily life and how neighborhoods feel throughout the day.
The town connects to Cayenne by Route Nationale 1 and offers visitors several arrival and departure options. The port and airport make it straightforward to reach the town and travel to other areas.
The former prison complex was partly built using red clay bricks made by the prisoners themselves. These brick structures remain visible in some buildings and tell the story of the site's labor history.
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