Cayenne: Squares, Culture and Market

Cayenne can be explored through its squares, houses, exhibitions and market. This gives you several different focuses to consider when planning your trip: the history of Place des Palmistes, Creole houses in the historic center, changing exhibitions and a market hall with food and products. Which of these interests you most can give your time in the city a personal direction.

Place des Palmistes: Name history and heritage protection

Place des Palmistes in Cayenne was known as Grande Savane for a long time before being renamed Place de l'Esplanade in 1821. This sequence gives the square a historical dimension: its history can also be viewed through its changing names. On March 9, 1999, Place des Palmistes and its features were listed as historic monuments. These include the Marianne statue, known as Reine Charlotte, the Chanel columns and the Félix-Éboué monument. Alongside the history of its name, specific features of the square also come into focus. If you are interested in culture and urban history, you can view the square from these two perspectives: its former name and the protected features.

A walk through the historic center

A walk through Cayenne’s historic center offers another way to explore the city. Along the way, you can discover both Place des Palmistes and Creole houses. The focus thus shifts from a named square to houses that are part of exploring the center. This makes the walk different from a focused look at the features protected as historic monuments: here, attention also turns to the houses. If you are looking for a cultural focus for exploring Cayenne, this offers a specific suggestion for a walk.

Changing exhibitions at the Musée des Cultures Guyanaises

The Musée des Cultures Guyanaises holds one or two temporary exhibitions each year in its building at 78 rue Madame Payé. The themes change, so the program is not limited to a single, unchanging exhibition topic. If you would like to include an exhibition in your plans, checking the current topic can help you see how it matches your interests. The museum’s changing selection of themes is the main focus here; the history of Place des Palmistes and a walk through the historic center offer other cultural highlights.

Food and products in the market hall

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. Alongside drinks and food, the selection also includes exotic fruits, spices and vegetables. For your plans, the market offers a different focus from the history of the square, the houses or the exhibitions: here, food and spices take center stage. If you like to consider culinary aspects when planning your trip, you can treat this selection as a topic in its own right, rather than focusing your stay only on cultural sites.

For the broader travel overview: French Guiana.