Iracoubo
A coast road village whose plain church hides an interior painted entirely by a convict.
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The church of Saint-Joseph at Iracoubo looks like nothing from the road, a small village church on the coast road, and inside every surface is painted: walls, ceiling, columns and apse covered in figures, borders and ornament done at the end of the nineteenth century by Pierre Huguet, a convict from the penal colony assigned to the parish. It is classed as a historic monument and it is the reason to stop in Iracoubo at all.
What you actually see
- The painted interior - every wall and ceiling surface covered in figures and ornament.
- The convict painter - work done by Pierre Huguet of the penal colony.
- The plain exterior - a village church giving no hint of what is inside.
- The monument status - the classification protecting the whole scheme.
When to go
July to November is the dry season for the drive. The church is generally open in daytime hours. Services take priority on Sundays.
Honest expectations
The village has nothing else and the visit is the church alone. Opening depends on the parish and the door can be locked. It is a long drive to make for one interior unless combined with the coast road.
Nearby
Sinnamary is east, and Mana is northwest.
What to pack for Iracoubo
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.