Cayenne

Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana, is a lively, colourful and culturally rich city on the tropical Atlantic coast, a genuine crossroads of the world. Its old centre charms with pastel-painted Creole houses, their wooden shutters and balconies faded by the tropical sun, gathered around the leafy Place des Palmistes with its towering palms. The bustling covered market overflows with tropical fruit, spices, crafts and the flavours of a remarkable cultural mix, French, Creole, Caribbean, Amerindian, Hmong, Brazilian and more, that makes Cayenne unique. With its faded colonial charm, vibrant markets, Creole soul and role as gateway to the rainforest and space centre, the city offers a warm and fascinating introduction to this extraordinary corner of South America.

What you actually see

• The Creole houses - the pastel colonial architecture.
• Place des Palmistes - the leafy palm-filled central square.
• The covered market - the vibrant market of fruit, spice and crafts.
• The cultural mix - the French, Creole, Amerindian and Asian blend.

When to go

July to November, the drier season, is the most comfortable time to explore the city, avoiding the heaviest rains; the tropical climate is warm and humid year-round. The market is liveliest in the mornings, and Cayenne is famous for its vibrant Carnival in the early months of the year.

Honest expectations

Cayenne is a modest, somewhat faded tropical capital rather than a polished tourist city, so its appeal lies in its Creole atmosphere, market, cultural mix and role as a gateway more than grand sights. As a colourful, characterful crossroads capital of pastel houses, vibrant markets and remarkable cultural diversity, though, Cayenne is a genuinely fascinating place to experience.

Nearby

The Amazon rainforest, the space centre and the coast lie beyond the city.