Memorials to visit New Caledonia

Leaving Vao to the north, you will have to take the first right to discover them, all carved wood, with their expressions as fascinating as amusing. This site owes its fame to the magnificent Kanak woods (totems) erected as a palisade around the monument. This monument commemorates the arrival on the island of Fathers Goujon and Chatelut and thus the first Catholic service given on August 12, 1848 on the island. James Cook would have passed by there in his time and tourists and locals never tire of it. It is one of the most picturesque places in the area.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, a new monument in memory of the 1988 hostage crisis was inaugurated in Wadrilla on May 5, 2013. Bordering the graves, the 19 sculpted posts pay tribute to the 19 pro-independence Kanaks who died during the shooting. The sculptures were made by local sculptors, but also by Fijians and Vanuatans in residence in Ouvéa. Ceremonies are held regularly, President Emmanuel Macron attended one of them in 2018. A historically impressive visit.

Tataio and Taniela were the first Polynesian Protestant catechists who came to evangelize the island in 1841. Anchored in front of Ténane, they reached the shore on board their pirogue. To reach the site, cross the village, pass in front of the church, turn left and walk 200 meters, without forgetting to ask for authorization beforehand. Following Melanesian custom, the bones of the two missionaries were placed in their pirogue and hoisted up the side of the cliff.