If you want to get to know Cayenne through specific places, you’ll find a range of different highlights: the history behind the name Place des Palmistes, Creole houses in the historic center, the market in its large hall, and changing exhibitions at the Musée des Cultures Guyanaises. These topics take you from urban history and architecture to food and cultural offerings.

Place des Palmistes: names and heritage protection

Place des Palmistes was known as Grande Savane for a long time before being renamed Place de l'Esplanade in 1821. The square and its features, including the Marianne statue, known as Reine Charlotte, the Chanel columns and the Félix-Éboué monument, were listed as historic monuments on March 9, 1999.

To understand the chronology, keep the two dates separate: 1821 marks the renaming, while 1999 marks the square and its features being listed as historic monuments. This lets you consider the history of the name and the heritage status as two distinct aspects, rather than combining them into a single date.

A walk through the historic center

A walk through Cayenne’s historic center offers a different perspective: you can discover both Place des Palmistes and Creole houses. You can focus your walk on the square’s history and features, or explore the houses as a distinct architectural theme. The interests differ, even though both feature on the same walk: a named square on one hand, Creole houses on the other. If you’re particularly interested in architecture, the houses offer a specific focus; Place des Palmistes provides a connection to the history of its name and its protected features.

Market hall and culinary selection

Cayenne’s market is located in a large market hall in the city center. It offers local Ti’punch, Laotian soups and poulet boucané, as well as exotic fruits, spices and vegetables. The examples mentioned range from drinks and prepared dishes to products such as fruit, spices and vegetables.

To help you choose what to try, the selection can be divided into two groups: dishes and a drink on one hand, and other products on the other. This can help you decide whether you’re more interested in specific foods or the variety of products mentioned when you visit the market. The market thus offers a different focus from a walk exploring the historic names and heritage features of Place des Palmistes.

Temporary exhibitions at the Musée des Cultures Guyanaises

The Musée des Cultures Guyanaises hosts one or two temporary exhibitions each year in its building at 78 rue Madame Payé; their themes vary. A visit to the museum therefore offers a cultural experience whose specific focus depends on the exhibition currently on view. Check which exhibition will be showing during your stay before you travel.

These options cater to different interests: the square is about the history of its name and its protected features, the walk about the Creole houses, and the museum about changing exhibition themes. The market, in turn, offers a culinary focus, with the dishes and products mentioned. Let these themes guide you in deciding what you’d particularly like to explore in Cayenne.

For an overview of the wider trip: French Guiana.