Tourist Attractions & Monuments French Polynesia

The Belvedere undoubtedly offers one of Moorea's most beautiful views. At a glance, you can see the whole island: Mount Rotui, in front of you, the two bays on either side, and all around the volcano basin, with the Tohiea, the Mouaputa, the Matatea. After the tourist crowds during the day, the young people come to spend a few hours there (time to empty a case of beer) while admiring the landscape. A little further down, you can learn by visiting the marae Tefaarahi, Afareaito and Titiroa, buried under the vegetation.

To the west of the atoll, 1 hour by boat from Avatoru, here is a small lagoon in the lagoon, formed by a few motus encircling a natural swimming pool of a supernatural blue. A real feast for the eyes, you can walk around this natural jewel by following the motus crown (reef sandals are recommended). The shallow depth allows the discovery of hundreds of surprising fish, but also blacktip sharks. Where the boats anchor, you will often see shark feeding - a practice that is prohibited and that we do not approve of.

Point Tereia hosts the only beach on the main island, and what a beach it is! The landscapes are worthy of the most beautiful postcards. The Mimi snack, good and cheap, is a good source of sustenance. You can then reach the motu Auira, just opposite, in 20 minutes of walking (water up to mid-thigh in principle, maxi up to the waist). At the end of the point of the beach, turn around and look at the peaks of Maupiti: the relief doesn't evoke anything to you? Not even a pregnant woman? Ask if you can't decipher this beautiful gift from Mother Nature!

Uturoa may be the second most important city in Polynesia, but it is still very easy to find yourself in the middle of nature! The access to Mount Tapioi and its pretty belvedere is unfortunately closed, but the tour of the island is highly recommended. A paved road of only 100 km awaits the travelers, delivering magnificent views on the lagoon and the interior mountains. A traverse road leads to two viewpoints: one overlooking Faaroa Bay, the summit of Orataio volcano and the strange bamboo forests; the other overlooking Fetuna Bay and the motu Nao-Nao. It is recommended to rent a car for the day. If you prefer to be guided (a guide always knows a lot more and can share his knowledge and love of the island), choose Trucky Tours. From the old Hawaiki Nui hotel, don't miss a look at the mountain side: a superb view of Mount Temehani, where the Tiare Apetahi grows, a flower endemic to Raiatea.

From PK 15 on the east coast, the Faaroa River flows inland: it is the only navigable river in Polynesia. Check with Lagon Aventure for a half-day river trip.

At PK 17, in the heart of the crater, the view is interesting on Mount Tefatua. Time seems to have stopped and nature is back in control. Further on, the village of Opoa is famous for hosting the descendants of the ancient Arii (kings), and the famous Taputaputaea marae , at KP 31, one of the most important archaeological sites in Polynesia and the South Pacific. The magic of ancestral ceremonies still seems to rustle..

The following kilometers are perhaps the most beautiful. There is no lack of panoramic views of the lagoon. The walkers can reach the sugar loaf of Faeratai, where not less than 3 500 petroglyphs have been recorded. A beautiful waterfall follows the river; count about 40 minutes of walking.

The small villages that follow are enchanting. The west coast of the island is bathed in an old-fashioned tranquility. The road follows the lagoon very closely.

At PK 13 on the west coast, the marae of Tainuu has not retained its charm. However, the upright coral slabs and the engraved stones evoke a glorious past that we enjoy imagining.

You finally reach the Miri-Miri pass, a joy for experienced surfers, around PK 10, while a hiking trail leaves in the direction of Mount Temehani, a superb walk not to be missed. Here you are in Tevaitoa, which has a beautiful white sand beach.

We really recommend a visit to the market on Sunday, early in the morning (unless you go there to buy gifts and souvenirs): the atmosphere is like no other! In the heart of the city, on more than 7,100 m², the Papeete market is worth a visit for its rich colors and scents, and for the picturesque and joyful animation that can be found there every day of the week. If it is obviously magical for the visitor, it has kept its primary function as a place of exchange.

The Papeete market has existed since Governor Bruat drew up the plans in 1847. Destroyed by the cyclone of 1906, then by the German bombings of 1914, it has been rebuilt several times, the last one in 1987. The current building, whose metal structure is not really aesthetic, is organized in two levels.

It is very busy on Sunday mornings, when all the families living in the suburbs of Papeete come to get the supplies for the Sunday maa tahiti. All the local products are here, and they have even taken care to present them to you on panels explaining the history, the cooking and the Tahitian name of vanilla, coconut... The coconut, a primordial product, is proposed in several ways: you can open it with a cutter to drink the water through a straw, or you can be offered the bottled milk, the flesh, or all sorts of coconut cakes. But if there was only coconut! Bananas, mangoes, papayas, but also uru (fruit of the breadfruit tree), fei (plantain banana which is eaten cooked), taros (tuber), tamarinds, carambola, barbadines, and other soursops: the choice of fruits and vegetables is very varied. Fish are also numerous (red or white tuna, mahi mahi, parrots, red mullets), as well as seafood (goats, lobsters, crabs, sea urchins, clams, everything is there!) They are fished in the lagoon or offshore in the five archipelagos, and sent by plane, in defiance of any commercial logic (it is very expensive), but to the great benefit of freshness and taste. Do not miss the early morning arrival. Flowers of all kinds are on sale all the time, whether you need a tiare for the ear or a big crown. Allcompose a fascinating patchwork of scents. Monoi, vanilla, jams and pastries are also on offer.

The escalators that lead you to the second level give access to some good snacks and souvenir vendors of all kinds. A non-exhaustive concentration of local handicrafts is offered: various pareos, flowered shirts, carved objects, basketry, tikis of all sizes made of mother-of-pearl, stone or precious wood, dugout canoes, umete (hollow container), hairpins, bracelets... Everything is handmade, engraved with subtle patterns, and you will not find here any kind of made in Taiwan souvenirs. Most of the products in the market are authentic and the work is of high quality. But beware! The handicrafts are sometimes made to order in Indonesia and are almost indistinguishable. Look at the origin, the quality of the work, the material used, and always ask before buying, the sellers are generally honest. Finally, note that you won't be able to get the whole market at a very low price: prices remain high, as everywhere in the country.

Point Venus, so named by Cook in 1769 during his first mission to Tahiti, is a historic site: it is also where the Europeans first landed in 1767 (Samuel Wallis and his Dolphin). Today, it is home to Tahiti's only lighthouse. The superb black sandy beach is the ideal meeting place for swimmers, who come together on weekends to sunbathe during the day or celebrate at night! The sand is extremely fine.

The two marae de Paea are among the most beautiful on the island. At KP 19, the Tataa marae is one of the largest, but located in a private property, it is difficult to access. At KP 22.5, the Arahurahu marae is the best preserved in Tahiti: a must in your discovery of the island. Decorated with recent tikis and bamboo huts, it often hosts dance performances as part of the Heiva celebrations in July. Be sure to keep an eye out for the road as these signs are not always clearly visible.

At the southeast end, the marae of Taputapuatea, in the village of Opoa, is the largest and most sacred in all Polynesia: all those built later in the other islands had to have a stone from this marae to have some of its mana. Taputapuatea would pronounce itself in the French Tabou-tabou-Atéa way, so sacred is it. Dedicated to Oro, the popular god of war before Christianization, it only dates back to the 17th century and faces the equally sacred Ava Moa pass, from which canoes from all the Pacific islands arrived to take part in ancestral rites. Among the six known types of marae, it is the only one in its category: it is the only international marae. On site, explanatory panels evoke the importance of marae and this particular site. Marae Hauviri, for example, included the king's throne. Others were used as ceremonial places for dances and pilgrimages, often grandiose. Here, the cult of Oro, the god of war, was celebrated above all. Knowledge and religion were skilfully discussed among priestly experts from all over Polynesia: it is even said that its fame was very widespread and that most of the peoples of Eastern Polynesia considered it as the seat of knowledge, religion and worship. Since July 2017, the marae of Taputapuatea has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List; its volcanic stones and coral slabs, erected and aligned, form a picturesque picture on the edge of the lagoon.

Located at the foot of a hill facing the mountain side of the ring road, the Maraa caves, dotted with large ferns and decorated with clear and limpid water basins, offer a breath of fresh air in the surrounding dampness! Occupied by a small lake and surmounted by an arched ceiling, the optical illusion prevents the visitor from detecting the depth of the first (main) cavity. A peaceful and mysterious atmosphere.... A little further away, you will reach four successive caves: Ana Paero, Vaipoiri, Matavae and Puahotu.

Discover the local flora, sacred eels, and nearly 30 kinds of homemade jams... You can also enjoy fresh fruit juices, dried fruit, sorbets, or even a lunch of Polynesian specialities, all in front of the beautiful Opunohu Bay. Don't expect opulence: the garden remains modest, but the vanilla plantation in the greenhouse remains an interesting stopover. At the end of the visit, you can continue on foot along an unmarked but passable path to reach a pretty waterfall.

A very good opportunity to discover the complete grafting process and to get acquainted with the amazing world of the cultured pearl. This is one of the most complete and interesting visits we have made to the Territory! Direct sale on the spot in an air-conditioned shop, offering a vast choice of quality pearls for all budgets and tastes, which you can even have mounted on the spot. If you lose the north, the saleswomen will be able to advise you; if not, opt for a jewel already mounted! Small adjoining curiosity area.

Vaima's natural spring is a welcome stopover for a refreshing swim. According to Polynesian mythology, this inexhaustible source draws its energy from the royal eel of Lake Vaihiria, which purifies the water and gives it healing properties. Slightly further away, the very pretty waterfall of the Vaipahi gardens is located a little inland (a little steep path to get there). It falls from basin to basin through a thick jungle.

At KP 22 east coast, at the end of a bend, a small promontory allows you to see the Dragon's breath. It is actually a hole under the road, where sea water rushes in and out violently by ejecting air and water on both sides. On the sea side, the water is suddenly projected at each breaker. On the road side, a powerful breath escapes from a hole between the road and the cliff, so powerful that it can make you fall to the ground. Beware of cars arriving by the bend: the site is rather badly placed at this level.

This is an exact replica of Normandy's farmlands, with greasy grass meadows, dairy cows and farms. An inconceivable landscape in the tropics, but nevertheless very real: it is here that the excellent fresh milk sold throughout Tahiti is produced. From Taravao, a paved road accessible to any vehicle climbs a few kilometres up to the plateau and leads to a car park. From here, on a clear day, the view of the Taravao isthmus is magnificent. A one-hour walk is enough to reach Mount Teatara (1,197 m), from where the view is even more beautiful.

The first waterfall, Vaimahutu, is 80 meters high and can be reached in a few minutes on foot. It takes only 20 minutes to walk to Haamarere Iti and Haamarere Rahi. Other waterfalls are scattered all over the island, most often inland; they can be discovered by chance during a walk in the forest. The easiest to access (but the least intimate) are those of the Papenoo River: Topatari, Vaiharuru, Puraha..

The visit of Papetoai begins mainly with its famous octagonal church built in the th century on the site of a royal marae. It was built by the missionaries. Further afield, Hauru's tip is rich in a magnificent lagoon and beautiful beaches, two large motus, and the largest hotel concentration in Polynesia (excluding the west coast of Papeete): the road is lined with hotels and pensions up to Hauru point.

Experienced and knowledgeable, Teiva will take you on a friendly tour through the Papenoo Valley to the volcanic crater, or lead you to Mount Marau. In one full day (meals not included), you can even reach Lake Vaihiria. A child of Papenoo, Teiva will take you back to the footsteps of his ancestors, he will tell you the history of these mythical lands, the soul of the Maohi people, and will give you some keys to understand the Polynesian culture. The visit of archeological sites is part of the program. Very good welcome.

There are several possibilities for excursions in the Fautaua Valley: a lookout, the fort of Fachoda, the governor's garden, or the magnificent Fatuaua waterfall. Also known as the Loti waterfall, the latter is 135 m high - not 300 as Pierre Loti claimed! A relatively easy hike will take you there in about a dozen kilometres: count 3 hours of walking, including about 1 hour of climbing after the small bridge, without hurrying too much. Note that you can reach the waterfall from below by following the river, or from above (the fachoda): we prefer this alternative because it leads to a water basin with a natural slide, very pleasant to cool down.

To access it from Papeete by car, take the east exit on Avenue de Fautaua, then follow the road for 3 km. You pass by the old Loti bath (now an esplanade), and less than a kilometre later, you can park on the parking lot above the hydraulic service. Walk on the maintained track, and follow the river (left bank) to the Tearape or Fachoda bridge. A tropical atmosphere is guaranteed, don't forget your mosquito repellent. The ascent then begins towards the point of view on the waterfall. Leave equipped accordingly: it often rains and mosquitoes are bloodthirsty barbarians! Swimming is more than recommended in basalt organ basins.

Finally, you can continue for about 30 minutes to the Teovere pass: superb view of the Diadème pass.

Local population, young and sporty. You need to be patient…