Salvation's Islands, Archipelago off Kourou, French Guiana
Salvation's Islands is a group of three volcanic islands—Royale, Saint-Joseph, and Devil's Island—located about 11 kilometers from the French Guiana mainland in the Atlantic Ocean. Today they offer walking trails, restored buildings, and viewpoints that reveal their landscape and former functions.
From 1852 to 1953, the islands operated as a French penal colony holding political prisoners and criminals under harsh conditions. Their closure ended more than a century of isolation and suffering in this remote location.
The islands gained international recognition through Henri Charrière's autobiography Papillon and Joseph Conrad's story An Anarchist, which depicted life in the prison system. These literary works transformed the location into a symbol of survival and resilience.
Visitors travel to the islands daily by catamaran from Kourou, with the crossing taking roughly 45 to 90 minutes depending on weather and destination. Bring sturdy shoes and sun protection, as trails are uneven and shade is limited on the islands.
The former prison grounds become a restricted area during rocket launches from the nearby space center, sometimes requiring evacuation for safety reasons. This unusual combination makes it a place where history and space exploration coexist.
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