[3] In 1886, Father Raffray arrived in the village,[6] and started to build the Saint Joseph's Church which opened in 1893.

The church is notable for its elaborate decorations on the walls and ceiling created by Pierre Huguet, a convict of the penal colony.

[8] In 1912, the introduction of bananas and rosewood strengthened the economy which remains based on agriculture, hunting and fishing.

[9] The village used to be on the estuary of the Iracaoubo River facing the Atlantic Ocean, but is now several kilometres land inwards.

[9] Crique et Pripri Yiyi is a 284 square kilometres (110 sq mi) protected area and wetland located in the commune.