Two of the islands in the Les Îles du Salut were used as a French prison. Îlse Royale held the main prison complex, the guards. And the home of the prison warden. Îlse du Diable was for the most challenging prisoners, and those who were sent there stayed for life. Îlse du Diable was seen as impossible to escape from, so the prisoners were not guarded.
The book and movie “Papillon” is the autobiography of the only known person to escape the prison and live.
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| The easy path up the island |
The Viking ship set anchor in the bay, and we took tenders to Îlse Royale. Everything was uphill from that point. We went up the less rigorous path that wrapped around the island climbing to the top of the island where most of the prison and other buildings were situated. We passed the children’s cemetery as we climbed. Even at an easy climb, the heat and humidity took a toll.
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| Children’s Cemetery |
Today the Capuchin monkeys, some peacocks, termites, and the human caretakers are the principal inhabitants of the island. One of the prison buildings is now a hotel, so we were able to get a cold drink after finding our way to the top of the island. The little gift shop in the hotel smelled heavily of mold – probably from the building itself.
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| Prison Wall |
