Prostitution in Overseas France varies from area to area with regard to extent, law enforcement and legality. France d'outre-mer consists of all the French-administered territories outside the European continent. These territories have varying legal status and different levels of autonomy.
Almost all inhabited French administrative divisions outside Europe are classified as either overseas regions or overseas collectivites.
There is also one Overseas territory and two territories with Special status. Overseas regions have identical status to regions in metropolitan France and French law is in force.. Selling sex is legal, but related activities such as solicitation and brothel keeping are illegal. Although illegal, prostitution in French Guiana is common, especially in the gold mining areas of the interior.
Women and children from Suriname are victims of sex trafficking in French Guiana. Although brothels were outlawed in by Loi Marthe Richard , the French military continued to run " Bordel militaire de campagne ". The last one on French territory was at Kourou until it was closed in following a complaint of unfair competition from a local pimp.
Despite the law, prostitution occurs in Guadeloupe. Dominican prostitutes also work from bars in Le Gosier. The Associative Center for Health and Support on Sexual Risks , who provide support and information to sex workers, especially in the area of sexual health, have called for the decriminalisation of sex work and the opening of brothels. Prostitutes are known locally as "pangnols".
