It is located approximately 14 km (9 mi) off the coast of French Guiana in South America just north of the town of Kourou.

Although it was the smallest part of the penal colony, it is notorious for being used for internal exile of French political prisoners during that period.

The island is surrounded by rocky promontories and shoals, strong cross-currents and shark-infested waters.

[3] With no understanding of the cause of leprosy, now also known as Hansen's disease, or means of treatment, societies isolated their sufferers.

In 1965, the French government transferred the responsibility for the island, with the rest of the group, to its newly founded Guiana Space Centre.