Salvation Islands - Royal Islands, Saint Joseph and the Devil

Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Salvation Islands, located off Cayenne in Guyana, form an archipelago composed of three islands: Île Royale, Île Saint-Joseph and Île du Diable. This site is emblematic of French prison history, marked by the creation of colonial bagnes during the second half of the 19th century. The buildings and developments associated with this period, as well as the Amerindian remains, bear witness to its complex past. The archipelago was partially protected as early as 2000, with an inscription as historical monuments for the Royal Island Prison and extended in 2012 to all islands, including soils and remains.

The Salvation Islands were a place of exile and detention for those sentenced to forced labour, often in extreme conditions. The site, now a public property, preserves the architectural and landscape traces of that time, such as cells, administrative buildings and port infrastructure. The Amerindian remains also recall an occupation well before the colonial period, adding an archaeological dimension to the heritage.

The registration by decree of 21 November 2012 allowed the protection of all the developments related to the bagnes, with the exception of the plots already classified. This classification covers not only constructions, but also soils, highlighting the historical and memorial importance of the site. Today, the Salvation Islands attract as much for their history as for their natural environment preserved, although their access remains framed because of their heritage status.

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