Any cruise that ventures near the North Eastern coast of South America is bound to make an amazing stop at the once-controversial Devil's Island. Without a doubt, only Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco can rival this French penal colony in terms of history, and in terms of its famous, and infamous residents.

The penal colony, which operated from 1852 - under the reign of Napoleon III - until it was finally shut down in 1946, was once home to some of France's most hardened criminals. The people sent here were truly the rabble of the country, prisoners that for one reason or another were thought to be too dangerous to even be allowed to stay in a prison in France.

Devil's Island is in fact one of a string of three lush, emerald green islands that were originally (and still) used as a deep port for the mainland of French Guiana, where the seas can be quite rough. These islands were known as the Iles Du Salut - a reference to the healing properties that made doctors once proscribe environmental cures to the islands for patients suffering from a range of diseases - and the choppy waters were what made them so attractive for building a penal colony on, as they presented a natural barrier against escape.

Some famous prisoners included Alfred Dreyfus, the Jewish officer charged with treason in 1895 who was exonerated 10 years later, and Henri Charriere, better known to us as Papillon, the subject of an autobiography and a hit movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen.

Eventually, the complaints about inhumane conditions forced the government to close the prison for good, although many of the prisoners were never allowed to return to their home country, even after serving their sentences.

Devil's Island Current Residents

But don't think that you will soon be locked in among the memories of prisoners gone by. The green creeping vines that entangle the old administrative buildings serve as a constant reminder that the days when Devil's Island was a feared location are long gone. In fact, the island has recently become quite the tourist destination, with a resort opening up on a nearby island, and tours being offered of the old prison itself.

Remember to book your travel with Carefree Travel and Cruises in order to get the best deals and more. When your cruise ship docks you will probably find yourself on Ile Royale, the island that housed the administrative building of the penal colony as well as some low level criminals. From here it is possible to just look at the fading remains of Ile du Diable, or you can elect to take a small boat over to the island itself.

The crystal blue waters and bright green trees filled with wildlife are just two more reasons to visit this history filled island. Book your travel with Carefree Travel and Cruises today to experience this slice of history in one of South America's most stunning destinations.

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