Mayotte is a French overseas department and region in the Indian Ocean, situated between Madagascar and the northern tip of Mozambique. Comprising Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre (Pamanzi) plus several islets, it is home to one of the world's largest coral lagoons, abundant marine life including green turtles and humpback whales, volcanic highland forests, and a vibrant Comorian-influenced culture. The island became France's 101st department in 2011 and uses the euro, making it accessible for French and European visitors while retaining an authentically remote tropical character.
Mayotte has been inhabited since at least the 7th century CE by Bantu and Austronesian (Malagasy) peoples. Arab and Shirazi traders arrived in the 10th–13th centuries, establishing Islamic sultanates across the Comoros archipelago. The island fell under successive sultanic rule, with the Tsingoni Mosque (circa 1538) marking the height of Islamic civilization in the region. France began colonial involvement in 1841 when Sultan Andrian Souli ceded Mayotte to France, making it the first French-controlled island in the Comoros. After Comoros independence in 1975, Mayotte's population voted to remain French in a series of referenda. Mayotte became a French overseas collectivity in 2001 and France's 101st department in March 2011.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Mayotte.
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1
Bantu and Malagasy peoples settle the islands
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2
Arab-Shirazi traders arrive; Islamic influence grows
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3
Tsingoni Mosque constructed — oldest mosque in France
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4
Sultan Andrian Souli signs treaty ceding Mayotte to France
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5
Mayotte becomes a French protectorate
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6
Comoro Islands (including Mayotte) become a French overseas territory
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7
Comoros referendum: 3 islands vote for independence; Mayotte votes to remain French
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8
Mayotte becomes France's 101st département and EU outermost region
Historical eras
The chapters of Mayotte's past.
Historical sites
Places where Mayotte's past comes alive.
Museums
Curated collections that tell Mayotte's story.
Musée de Mayotte
Small municipal museum with artifacts and documents on Mahorais history and culture. Free entry.
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.