About French Guiana

Overview:

A Story of Shared History and Resilience

French Guiana is located on the northern coast of South America, bordered by Brazil and Suriname. Despite its distance from the Eastern Caribbean, it holds deep emotional and historical significance for Saint Lucia. Beginning in the 1940s, thousands of Saint Lucians migrated to French Guiana in search of work and opportunity, many of them contributing to the construction, education, agriculture, and public service sectors.


Today, the descendants of those early migrants form a proud and vibrant community with an estimated 8,000–10,000 people of Saint Lucian origin living across Cayenne, Kourou, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, and surrounding areas. 

Quick Facts:

  • Capital: Cayenne
  • Population: Approximately 300,000
  • Official Language: French (plus Creole, Indigenous, and immigrant languages)
  • Currency: Euro (€)
  • Main Airport : Cayenne – Félix Éboué Airport (CAY)
  • Major Ports: Port of Dégrad des Cannes
  • Transportation to Saint Lucia: Via connecting flights (Cayenne–Martinique– Saint Lucia), charter routes, and regional airlines

Cultural Identity:

French Guiana is a cultural mosaic, blending Afro-Caribbean, Maroon, Amerindian, European, and Asian influences. The presence of La Woz and La Magwit societies among Saint Lucian descendants stands as a powerful symbol of cultural preservation and continuity.


Saint Lucians in French Guiana are recognized for their industriousness, values, and contributions to nation-building. Many continue to seek reconnection with their ancestral roots through genealogical projects, often supported by the Consulate and Saint Lucian organizations abroad. 

Consular Outreach:

The Consulate General of Saint Lucia conducts bi-annual consular missions to French Guiana, offering in-person services such as passport renewals, notarizations and community consultations. These visits are announced in advance and coordinated with local Saint Lucian networks.


To learn more about the next consular visit, please contact the Consulate General.