Things to see and do Noumea

This monument, erected in 1992, commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the first 20,000 American soldiers in Nouméa on March 12, 1942. Nearly a million of their compatriots followed them and transited on the Rock, so that New Caledonia constituted one of the strategic bases of the American army during the Pacific War against Japan, particularly during the Battle of the Coral Sea. It can be found near the market and Port-Moselle. A solemn pause during your visit, but unfortunately not very well highlighted.

To understand the history of this peninsula, let's look back at the history of New Caledonia. James Paddon, a British sandalwood merchant from the neighboring New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), settled on Nou Island in 1851. He built a slipway for schooners, a forge and stores. A very enterprising man, he was also responsible for introducing cattle to the territory. In the end, France bought the land from him for the construction of a penal colony. It was here, in 1864, that the first convicts disembarked on the archipelago aboard the Iphigénie. Numerous buildings still bear witness to this penitentiary past, grouped together under the name Site historique de l'Île Nou, which can be visited.

Anse Kuendu is a small beach located on what is now the Nouville peninsula, since the island was attached to Nouméa by a dike in 1972. The sunsets here are breathtaking. You can also go for a walk or mountain bike ride on the track that surrounds the peninsula. From Kuendu Beach, you can drive up to the hill on the right to enjoy the panoramic views. You can use the orientation table to find your way around. At the top of the hill are the ruins of Fort Tereka, built at the end of the ^20th century and restored in 1984. The cannon battery and underground passage can be visited (it's best not to go on foot, as there are many stray dogs).

The Higginson House is an architectural witness of the beginning of the ^20th century. It was built by Gabriel Laroque on a piece of land bought from John Higginson, founder of the Nickel company. Throughout the year, this municipal cultural space offers historical and heritage exhibitions as well as art and contemporary creation exhibitions. Mediations, conferences, meetings with artists, tea-chats, theater evenings, workshops, shows and screenings are regularly presented. Don't miss a visit!

An original and exotic excursion at 5 minutes from Noumea in a marine reserve and a treasure island. Under a pretty "faré" in the center of the islet or directly at your deckchair, you can enjoy a snack (nice salads with shrimps, children's menu...). A good idea to have lunch with your feet in the water. Underwater path for snorkeling. Tapas evening every first Thursday of the month. Permanent open-air exhibition: corals and sculptures (more than 100 pieces). Charming paths lead you there.

The house of the Célières family was built in 1898 and is a good example of the colonial architecture of the time. After years of restoration work, it opened to the public in 2009. You can visit the many rooms where the period furniture has been preserved, as well as the garden and the terrace overlooking Mount Coffyn. Events are regularly organized there, mostly related to literature, as it is also the seat of the Maison du Livre.

It stretches to the southeast of the city, between Pointe Magnin and Port Despointes. Pass Le Méridien and the International Sailing Center located below, where the health trail begins along the seafront. A gathering place for sportsmen and walkers, it is certainly the most beautiful place in the city for a morning or late day stroll when it is not so hot. At the next traffic circle, the left lane leads to the faubourg Blanchot, one of the best preserved districts of the city with its old colonial houses.

In the Latin Quarter, this gallery is a must in Noumea to discover the works of Juliette Pita, Caroline Degroiselle, André Gable, Michel Moulimois, Johannes Wahono, Bruno Curetou, Anne-Gaëlle Cabanas or Paul Jacoulet, the French artist from Japan. Vernissages and meetings every month. Come and visit this institution of Noumea Art, established over 20 years ago. Admire the works spread out in several spaces in its 320 m² premises of various artistic movements. A framing workshop is also available.

James Paddon settled on Nou Island in 1851 and established the first commercial infrastructure in New Caledonia. France, wishing to regain control of the site in order to build a penal colony, offered him to exchange his property for large tracts of land located in the commune of Païta. Paddon accepted and finally died in 1861. In 1863, construction of the prison buildings began. The first prisoners disembarked aboard the Iphigénie in 1864 at Port-de-France, which was renamed Nouméa in 1866. Numerous buildings scattered all over the peninsula still bear witness to this penitentiary past.

Visit. After crossing the sea, leave the city behind and connect to the island by the dike (built in 1972), follow the road on the left that leads to the old penitentiary. Ironically, or simply for historical purposes, the prison only disappeared to make way for the East Camp prison, the country's main detention center. During your visit, you will see one architectural testimony after another. If you follow James Cook Avenue westwards, once you have passed the University of New Caledonia, you will see the former house of the prison director on the sea side. Not far away, you will discover the nicely restored prison workshop. You then pass in front of the chapel, built in 1882. A little further on you will find the convicts' dormitories and their alley, nicknamed the Boulevard of Crime. It was at the end of this alley that the scaffold was erected for the capital executions. The only guillotine in the territory, it was moved around the Caillou as needed and was used for all criminals. Higher up, the dwellings of the military supervisors still seem to watch over the site. Continue to the cathedral, built in 1875 but never consecrated. Once used as a prison administration warehouse, it has been home to the superb Théâtre de l'île since 1972, which has made full use of this past with a remarkable enhancement. The road bends to the left and leads to the ruins of the garden warden's house, located just a few steps from a flamboyant tree. Further on stands the old hospital of the Marais, built in 1870 and whose portal was only completed in 1885. It is now a specialized hospital. Before arriving there, take the small road to reach the convicts' cells.The visit is truly fascinating!

In the axis of Pointe Magnin, just south of the city, Ouen Toro is a hill of 128 m altitude. The slopes are classified as a botanical reserve with nearly 50 hectares of chlorophyll.

If you have a car, turn left at the first intersection after Le Méridien. On foot, take the Ouen Toro road for 350 m after the Vernier Drive intersection (the road that runs along Anse Vata). Then take the footpath on your right.

Good to know: there is only one water point on site. Therefore, plan to bring a drink. The walk lasts about an hour. You will cover 3 km of trail under the dry forest.

Leave in the morning or in the evening, knowing that in the late afternoon the sunset is superb. On the first two hundred meters, the vegetation is essentially made up of guaiac trees, some sandalwoods and false pepper trees. From there, you can take nice pictures of the "île aux Canards" and the columnar pines. At the crossroads, the left track leads to an old silica quarry. Prefer the right track which crosses sections of forest. Continue for 300 m. At the next crossroads, the path on the left joins the quarry; the one on the right goes down in the middle of the guaiac trees. Continue for about 200 m on the right track. You will then reach a new junction. On the right, you go back down to the Pierre-Vernier promenade. Choose the left track which goes straight into the forest. After 200 m, you leave the forest and follow the path that winds up the hillside. You will have a beautiful view on the lagoon, the islets of Sainte-Marie and the bay of the same name. Continue for 400 m. You have two options: go out on the Vernier promenade or take the very steep slope that accesses a dome covered with grass. Take your camera, the panorama is superb. You are on the launching pad for hang gliders and paragliders. The path continues to the northwest. After a hundred meters, a track starts on the left. It allows to access the quarry and to come back to the starting point. Keep going! On your right, the path leads after 200 m to another old quarry; 150 m further on, you arrive at the paved road of a housing estate, then at the road to Ouen Toro. Continue walking 500 m downhill and you will find your car. It is a superb walk, you will meet nature lovers who, organized in association, replant the original species.

This attraction was inaugurated on September 19, 2013, on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of New Caledonia's rally to the Free French Forces. The Southern Province and the town hall joined forces to create a museum dedicated to World War II, built in a former American half-moon (semi-cylindrical sheet metal building). It is an opportunity to discover a period of New Caledonian history that considerably changed the face of the country and marked its mentalities.

The Loyalty Islands Province has a website entirely dedicated to the three islands. You will find general and practical information on the climate, customs and tourism, as well as information on restaurants and accommodation. The Province also offers good deals from July to August with the IBozu packages (package on the Loyalty Islands including flight and accommodation at low prices). A very good plan! And if you still have questions, don't hesitate to contact them, the team is adorable!