Maripasoula
The largest commune in France by area, deep on the upper Maroni with no road to it.
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Maripasoula covers more ground than any other commune in France, a territory of forest the size of a small country with a river town at its edge, and no road reaches it: you fly from Cayenne or spend two days coming up the Maroni by pirogue. The town is the gateway to the Parc amazonien and the Wayana villages further upstream, and it is the base for anything in the far interior.
What you actually see
- The upper Maroni - the river that is the town's road, market and border.
- The largest commune - forest territory on the scale of a small country.
- The park gateway - the base for the Parc amazonien and the far interior.
- The pirogue port - the boats that connect everything upstream and down.
When to go
July to November is the dry season. Flights run year round and book out. Upstream travel to Wayana country requires permits arranged well ahead.
Honest expectations
Access to the Wayana villages upstream is restricted and permits are required, not a formality. The town itself is functional rather than pretty. Everything is expensive because everything arrives by air or river.
Nearby
Papaïchton is downstream, and Saül is east across the forest.
What to pack for Maripasoula
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.