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Home/Countries/French Guiana/Museums & culture/Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock

Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock

The border town where a bridge crosses the Oyapock to Brazil, and pirogues still do the real work.

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Typeborder town
WhereSaint-Georges
Nearest cityCayenne
Best seasonJuly to November
Time to allowA day
Getting thereSealed road from Cayenne, around three hours; bridge crossing to Oiapoque in Brazil
EntryFree

Saint-Georges sits on the Oyapock river facing Oiapoque in Brazil, and since 2017 a large cable-stayed bridge has linked the two banks, the only road crossing between France and Brazil anywhere. The bridge took years to open after it was built and the pirogues that always crossed the river kept working through it all, which says something about the border here. The town is Creole, Palikur and Brazilian at once.

What you actually see

  • The Oyapock bridge - the only road link between France and Brazil.
  • The pirogue crossings - the boats that still carry most of the traffic.
  • The river front - Brazil visible across the water from the quay.
  • The mixed town - Creole, Palikur and Brazilian communities together.

When to go

July to November is the dry season. The river is the town's life year round. Border formalities apply for crossing in either direction.

Honest expectations

The town itself is small and scruffy and the interest is the border and the river. Crossing to Brazil needs papers in order both ways. The drive from Cayenne is long for a day trip.

Nearby

Saut Maripa is upstream, and Cayenne is northwest.

What to pack for Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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