Île aux Lépreux, River island in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana.
Île aux Lépreux is a small river island in the Maroni surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and palm trees. Wooden shelters and rest areas dot the island for visitors who arrive by boat.
The island served as a quarantine site for prisoners with leprosy during the French colonial period. It became part of French Guiana's medical history when the penal colony system ended.
The island represents a significant chapter in French Guiana's medical history, demonstrating early attempts at disease control in colonial territories.
The island is accessible by a short boat trip from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni with regular departures during the day. Visitors should prepare for humid weather and insects while wearing comfortable walking shoes.
The former isolation structures have been transformed into wooden pergolas used for picnics and gatherings today. This change shows how the island shifted from a medical place to a recreational destination.
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