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Île Royale

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Historical site

Weather…

Île Royale is the largest of the three Salvation Islands, covering an area of 28 hectares, and functioned as the administrative headquarters for the entire penal colony. The island housed the most critical facilities, including the hospital, the chapel, the lighthouse, and the director's residence, from which the archipelago was governed. In contrast to the other islands, convicts on Île Royale experienced slightly more freedom of movement, as they were often assigned to maintenance tasks, gardening, or administrative support. The island features a central plateau where massive stone structures were built; today, some of these have been repurposed into a hotel and a museum for visitors. The island's lighthouse, constructed in the 19th century, served as a crucial navigational aid for maritime traffic off the coast of French Guiana. The blend of historical colonial architecture and panoramic ocean views makes Île Royale the most visited location within the group.

Location: French Guiana
Top sights: Vue sur l'île Royale et l'île du Diable · Four à chaux du bagne · atelier et forge
Nearby: Kaw Marshes (69 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Sep–Nov.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	27	27	27	27	27	27	27	27	28	28	27	27
Rain mm	201	174	161	260	370	272	170	88	43	51	88	201

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Île Royale is the largest of the Salvation Islands and can be visited on the same boat tour as the other islands. The former administrative headquarters of the prison is partly accessible and houses a small museum.

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Typical hours

Visiting hours on Île Royale are tied to the boat tours, which usually depart in the morning. The small museum is open during the tour visit; exact times vary seasonally.

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Photography

Photography is allowed on the entire island, but without flash inside the museum. The old administrative buildings and the chapel offer particularly beautiful subjects.

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Time needed

Time spent on Île Royale as part of the tour is about 1.5 to 2 hours. Allow enough time to explore the museum, the chapel and the walking paths.

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Combine with

Visit Île Royale together with Île du Diable and Île Saint-Joseph - all three islands are called on one tour. If time permits, a detour to Kourou is also worthwhile.

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Getting there

Île Royale is reached by boat from Kourou or Cayenne. The landing point is on the west coast of the island; from there it is a few minutes' walk to the main buildings.

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Insider tip

First visit the small museum to get a good overview of the penal colony's history. The chapel on the island is a quiet spot for a short break in the shade.

Geography

Coordinates

5.28500, -52.58300

Facts

Largest island of the group at 28 hectares.
Served as the administrative center of the penal colony.
Contains ruins of the hospital and director's house.
Operational lighthouse built in the 19th century.
Presence of a church (Chapelle de l'Île Royale).
Modern conversion of barracks into tourist accommodation.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Hôpital de l'Île Royale<1 km · SEExplore →

Dreyfus Tower10 km · SWExplore →

Roches Gravées de la Carapa11 km · SWExplore →

Guiana Space Centre12 km · SExplore →

Kourou Biomass Power Plant12 km · SWExplore →

Pariacabo Port13 km · SWExplore →

Vega Launch Pad (ELV)17 km · SExplore →

Air Liquide Plant Kourou19 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Île Royale (9)

Vue sur l'île Royale et l'île du Diable

Viewpoint on the island, overlooking neighboring Devil's Island and the coastline.

Four à chaux du bagne

Ruins of a lime kiln from the penal colony era, used for lime production.

atelier et forge

Ruins of the workshop and forge of the former penal colony on the island.

Bagne

Ruins of the notorious penal colony on the island, a place of exile and imprisonment.

Gravures des peuples originaires

Rock carvings by indigenous peoples on the island, evidence of early habitation.

Musée du bagne🏛 museum

Museum about the history of the penal colony on the island, displaying artifacts and documents.

Chapelle de l'île Royale

Chapel on Île Royale in French Guiana, served convicts and guards.

Phare de l'île Royale

Lighthouse on Île Royale in French Guiana, marking the coast for shipping.

Jetée des Morts

Monument on the island, commemorating the dead of the penal colony buried here.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see on Île Royale?

The ruins of the hospital, the chapel, the prison director's house, and a museum.

Is there a circular path around the island?

Yes, a shaded path takes about an hour to walk completely around the island.

Can you eat there?

Yes, the 'Auberge des Îles' gives meals and refreshments for day visitors.

Is this the largest island in the group?

Yes, it is the main island and was the administrative center of the former penal colony on the islands.

Are there spots for swimming?

There is the 'Convicts' Pool,' an artificially protected swimming area in the sea.

Île Royale: where is it located?

Île Royale is located in French Guiana.

Île Royale: what is there to see?

Highlights include Vue sur l'île Royale et l'île du Diable, Four à chaux du bagne, atelier et forge.

Île Royale: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Sep, Nov.

Île Royale: why is it worth visiting?

Île Royale is the largest of the three Salvation Islands, covering an area of 28 hectares, and functioned as the administrative headquarters for the entire penal colony.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

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