Îlet la Mère

Îlet la Mère is a protected island lying off the French Guiana coast, covered in secondary forest with elevations reaching about 80 meters. The roughly 55-hectare site holds scattered ruins of buildings that reflect its varied historical uses.

The island began as a medical station in 1777 for the sick and later became a penal colony from 1852 housing political detainees. Yellow fever outbreaks led to its closure by 1875, and the site was eventually abandoned.

The island's name refers to the 'Mother,' reflecting its original role as a refuge for the sick and vulnerable. Walking through the ruins today, you can sense how different groups once lived here in isolation from the mainland.

A walking trail of around 3.5 kilometers circles the island and passes by the old building sites. The path crosses wooded terrain and can be uneven, so sturdy shoes and attention to your footing are needed.

From 1981 to 2001, a research facility studied tropical disease treatments using animals in a controlled setting. This scientific chapter reveals how the island found new purposes long after its original buildings were left behind.