Showing 1-5 of 5 results
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Centre Spatial Guyanais
The space center is Kourou's star attraction, with cool three-hour tours including a visit. Since 1980, two-thirds of the world's commercial satellites have been launched from here. The launch site is the only one in the world this close to the equator, where the earth spins significantly faster, giving the rockets a slingshot effect.
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Director's House
The old director's house on Île Royale, administrative center of the former penal colony, contains an interesting English-language history display and temporary exhibits; two-hour guided tours of the island (usually in French) begin here. Surprisingly abundant local wildlife includes macaws, agoutis, capuchins and sea turtles.
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Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands)
the Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands) are 15km (9mi) north of Kourou over choppy, shark-infested waters. Originally an escape for 18th-century colonists, the Îles then became prisons, home to over 2000 convicts, many of whom died from the inhumane condition in which they were kept.
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Musèe de l'Espace
Don't miss the excellent Musèe de l'Espace (Space Museum) inside the Centre Spatial Guyanais. The informative displays depicting the launch history of the center are in English and French. Even if you're not a wannabe astronaut or closet Trekkie, there's lots of absorbing stuff to get through here.
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Sinnamary
This friendly village of 3500 people includes an Indonesian community that produces fine woodwork, jewelry, pottery and folk art. Don't leave the area without hiking at least part of the 20km (12mi) Pripri Yiyi trail (trailhead at La Maison de la Nature just out of town) for great bird-watching.
Showing 1-5 of 5 results
