Interesting question, but I think it is just hypothetical. As French citizen, are you allowed (by French government) to go there?

@GiacomoCatenazzi Do I need an authorization by the French government?

Check the French website about foreign affairs. Some places are discouraged, and other should not be accessed. They cannot enforce it, but if something happens, the government doesn't need to do anything.

Travel advice from governments, discouraging their citizens to travel to certain areas, are not 'travel bans' or situations where permission must be granted.

@MarkJohnson: sometime there are not just advices (usually on war zones). -- In any case, Colombia, the zones in the questions: Zones formellement déconseillées (which I'm curious about the second word),on lower lever we have Zones déconseillées sauf raison impérative (which seems more the classical), and the rest is just: Zones à vigilance renforcée, so no normal zone in Colombia.

I found: Rouge : la zone est formellement déconseillée. Les voyages sont proscrits. (so ..., travels are banned): diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/…

@GiacomoCatenazzi thanks! diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/… says "la zone est formellement déconseillée. ". Which page says proscrits?

Immigration checkpoints will likely be one of the least of your concerns. All other things considered you will likely present yourself in a migration office before and after crossing the gap (maybe Turbo in Colombia and Puerto Obaldia in Panama). No one will check your passport during the cross, save by maybe some criminals who won't require you to have a specific stamp.

@FranckDernoncourt: you forked the comments into a new questions, where I answered and put relevant links. -- But as the pages tell us, the zones have paramilitary or non-official law enforcement (which I learn from a Colombian: it is a real thing).

@GiacomoCatenazzi perfect, thanks!

@André got it, thanks, you're welcome to add it in an answer.

@André thank you!

I added a note to contact the offices in advance as I'm not sure how exactly this is done. I have similar experience in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay where land border crossings are often unclear and a bit chaotic. I also know people who failed to report a border crossing properly, the consequence is just a fine, no bans or anything else. However, I never been to the Darien gap and I don't know anyone who crossed successfully.

Apparently, some people go hiking in Darien. Godspeed.

Maybe relevant information (from 2016) about paddling the gap bikewanderer.com/paddling-the-darien-gap with a great video too! youtu.be/eLEGyJUHza8

From Wiki: "In 2023, more than 520,000 passed through the gap, more than doubling the previous year's number of crossings". Doesn't seem to be that isolated any longer :-)

@JonathanReez Thanks for the stats. In many cases, "dangers" are overblown (e.g., by clickbait articles/videos).

@JonathanReez Probably close to zero of them are tourists, and possibly many of them are willing to take higher risks than most tourists would (just like people trying to get from Africa to Europe).

@FranckDernoncourt In many cases they are overblown. In some cases they are entirely accurate. I wouldn't personally go hiking in the Darien Gap, but do let us know your impressions if you do :)

NPR did a good segment on the Darien Gap in August. This gives the impression that the area is controlled by cartels, and is not a pleasant stroll in the jungle.