Dom-Tom (French islands)

Overview

France’s overseas departments and territories (the Dom-Tom) are territories of the French Republic located away from metropolitan France — together home to more than 2.7 million people. The first four, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Réunion, became overseas departments in 1946; Mayotte followed in 2011. The overseas population has seen a steady migratory movement towards mainland France since the end of the Second World War.

Climate

The climate of the Dom-Tom is temperate but divided into distinct climate zones across the territories. An oceanic climate brings average rainfall spread over many days in some of the regions; a Mediterranean-influenced climate brings dry summers in others; and a mountain climate elsewhere brings heavy rainfall and snow.

The overseas departments and territories

French Guiana — in South America.
Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthélemy, and Saint-Martin — in the Caribbean.
Réunion and Mayotte — off the coast of Africa.
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon — south-east of Canada.
French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna — in the South Pacific.

Featured destinations

Martinique — 8 hours 45 minutes from Paris by air, with eight different centres of volcanic activity. Try Colombo, a local curry dish blending French, African, and South Asian traditions.
French Guiana — 8 hours 55 minutes from Paris by air. Visit the Amazonian rainforest, savannas, and mangroves, and the Guiana Space Centre.