Fort Cépérou, Colonial fort on Mont Cépérou, Cayenne, French Guiana
Fort Cépérou sits on a hilltop above Cayenne and offers views over the city, the river mouth, and the ocean. The stone structures form a fortification from which the surroundings are visible across a wide area.
The fortification began in 1643 as a wooden structure after land was acquired from a local leader. Over time it was rebuilt in stone and remained an important outpost of French control in South America.
The fort marks the starting point of French settlement in South America and represents an important moment in the region's colonial past. Visitors can observe how the site functions as a landmark connected to this historical presence.
The fort is reached by climbing a steep street that leads to the summit and requires good footwear. Once at the top, visitors can enjoy views in multiple directions and see far toward the sea on clear days.
A major fire in 1888 destroyed parts of the city, and the fort's bell rang without stopping until it cracked. The broken bell now sits in a city museum, a reminder of that dangerous day.
Location: Cayenne
GPS coordinates: 4.93763,-52.33663
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:44
French Guiana is a region where tropical rainforests meet rivers and coastal areas. The landscape brings together South American nature with French history. You can visit nature reserves where birds and turtles live, explore colonial ruins, and see ancient rock carvings made by indigenous peoples. Places like Marais de Kaw and the Îles du Salut show the varied landscape, while sites like Fort Cépérou and the ruins of the Loyola Sugar Plantation tell stories of European settlement. The coastal areas have long beaches and wetlands where turtles nest and rare birds can be spotted. In the interior, you will find waterfalls, jungle trails, and small villages where people still follow traditional ways. The rock carvings near Régina and Kourou mark the cultures that have lived in these lands for centuries. This region invites you to experience nature and history together. Whether you paddle through wetlands, visit old prison islands, or hike into the rainforest, you encounter something new at every turn. French Guiana shows how different worlds and times come together in one place.
Cayenne's Prison
2.3 km
Cayenne Cathedral
598 m
Place des Palmistes
385 m
Prefecture hotel of French Guiana
492 m
Museo departamental Alexandre-Franconie
255 m
Statue of Victor Schœlcher
173 m
Pont du Larivot
4.8 km
Jardin botanique de Cayenne
1.8 km
Colonne de la république
413 m
Statue of Félix Éboué
359 m
Place du Coq
298 m
Maison-Musée de Félix Éboué
937 m
Collège Eugène Nonnon
691 m
Hôpital Jean Martial
697 m
Externat Saint-Joseph de Cayenne
516 m
Maison Thémire
298 m
Place Léopold-Héder
206 m
Bibliothèque Franconie
282 m
École Joséphine-Horth
253 m
Ancienne douane
120 m
Immeuble Delabergerie
1.1 km
Conseil général de Cayenne
277 m
Fontaine de Montravel
187 m
Lavoir de Cayenne
1.1 km
Plage Bourda
5.9 km
Maison Franconie
266 m
Museum of Guyanese Cultures
878 m
Maison, 6 rue du Fort
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