"DEVIL ISLAND - TEUFELSINSEL - ILES DU SALUT" Top 5 Page for this destination French Guiana by globetrott

French Guiana Travel Guide: 106 reviews and 254 photos

DEVIL ISLAND - TEUFELSINSEL - ILES DU SALUT - French Guiana

Devils Island was a French prison until 1948. Captain Dreyfuss was kept here as well as "Papillon", who wrote a book about it.

I guess, the prisoners would not have thought, that one day Cruise-ships like M/S VISTAFJORD would come here to see the ruins of their cells, walk freely on the island and return easly by tender back to the ship ...

All photos on this page are scanned pics of my super-8-movie made between 1979 and 1985.
The single pics are just 8mm wide and 5mm high
I had to scan them with 2400dpi...
So this is why the quality of the pics is not really perfect...

Pros and Cons

Pros:a magic place of history
Cons:its quite hot there !
In a nutshell:a magic place of history

Intro Updated Aug 30, 2012
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Reviews (7)

A touch of Dreyfuss on Devils Island - French Guiana

A touch of Dreyfuss on Devils Island Things to Do (4)

Alfred Dreyfus (1859 - 1935) was the most prominent prisoner of Devils Island he was sent there beeing totally unguilty... more travel advice

Papillon: reality and/or fiction ? - French Guiana

Papillon: reality and/or fiction ? Things to Do (4)

According to the book "Papillon" he was the only prisoner, who ever was able to escaped the prison of Devils island:... more travel advice

a restaurant with a great terrace - French Guiana

a restaurant with a great terrace Restaurants (1)

I dont really remember the name of this place, but in 1985 and certainly still today the island is used as a recreation... more travel advice

take a walk on Devils island - French Guiana

take a walk on Devils island Things to Do (4)

Take a walk on Devils Island and you will get a good feeling for what it was like to be in prison on that island. The... more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (1)
Be carful, when you enter ruins of the...

Transportation (1)
I came by a cruise

Comments (93)

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Nemorino Sep 3, 2011 at 5:33 AM

Great idea to scan some of the frames from your old Super-8 films! I’m sure you’re right that this was not a paradise for the prisoners in the old days.
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robertgaz Mar 12, 2009 at 3:49 PM

I'll bet Papillon's sundowners didn't include cool cocktails ;~)
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hunterV Jul 20, 2008 at 2:45 AM

Michael, you've been lucky to visit so many places! Thanx for sharing your experiences with us here!
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atufft Sep 23, 2007 at 11:20 PM

Interesting running into these old tips on Devil's Island. Loads of tips on the place, but nothing in the "things to do" category:-) Figures for a prison island I suppose...
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bijo69 Oct 30, 2004 at 2:55 PM

You've certainly been to strange places :). Thanks for visiting my Russia page!
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aussirose Oct 22, 2004 at 2:29 AM

Hey Michael. I think I would opt for the ship accommodation too :o) Cheers, Ann.
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Antji Aug 28, 2004 at 4:31 AM

interesting history of teufelsinsel. never heard it before - unfortunately I didn´t read this book before... but I should do it.
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Bwana_Brown Jul 22, 2004 at 8:53 AM

Michael, you got to see some very interesting places in the course of your cruises! Thanks for the insight into this curious and off-the-beaten-path destination!
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Wafro May 14, 2004 at 2:48 AM

Normally I always go to Africa, but I think I’ve got to reconsider my next destination when I see your VTpage. Nice job
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Leipzig Jan 10, 2004 at 9:16 AM

Wieso heißt die Insel denn "Iles du Salut" im Französischen und "Teufelsinsel" im Deutschen und Englischen?