Devil's Island Île du Diable
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Île du Diable (Devil's Island), the smallest and southernmost of the Îles du Salut, was used largely for political prisoners. The island's name became synonymous with the horrors of the penal system.
Devil's Island is approached with difficulty due to its rocky shore. The inmates were often left without guards, since strong currents and sharks made a getaway virtually impossible. Dead convicts were buried at sea.
The penal colonies were phased out between 1938 and 1951 and now amid the atmospheric ruins of the island's old prison buildings are an abundant assortment of wildlife and foliage.
A restored museum is open for visits and the small hotel, the Auberge Îles du Salut, with a restaurant and gift shop offers modest tourist facilities.
The most widely read of Devil's Island's prisoners is the author Henri Charrière, a Frenchman convicted in 1931 of a murder he did not commit. Sentenced to life imprisonment, he spent 12 years on Devil's Island. After eight unsuccessful attempts to escape, he finally got away to Venezuela. The book "Papillon" recounts his ordeals.
Devil's Island is approached with difficulty due to its rocky shore. The inmates were often left without guards, since strong currents and sharks made a getaway virtually impossible. Dead convicts were buried at sea.
The penal colonies were phased out between 1938 and 1951 and now amid the atmospheric ruins of the island's old prison buildings are an abundant assortment of wildlife and foliage.
A restored museum is open for visits and the small hotel, the Auberge Îles du Salut, with a restaurant and gift shop offers modest tourist facilities.
The most widely read of Devil's Island's prisoners is the author Henri Charrière, a Frenchman convicted in 1931 of a murder he did not commit. Sentenced to life imprisonment, he spent 12 years on Devil's Island. After eight unsuccessful attempts to escape, he finally got away to Venezuela. The book "Papillon" recounts his ordeals.
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