New Caledonia
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Why New Caledonia?
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Brochures can be ordered in print or downloaded in digital format.
Discover the destination
See the cruises in the Pacific Islands

Brochures can be ordered in print or downloaded in digital format.
Discover the destination
There is no better feeling than that of total freedom, in an idyllic setting. This is what New Caledonia offers, along with a culture influenced by many different sources. A practical guide for travellers heading to this dream destination.
Best practices
To do Using 'tu' (informal form of address) is common in New Caledonia and does not in any way imply lack of respect. It is also important to take one's time and not rush. To avoid It is important to respect the Kanak culture and its customs.
Fast facts
By visiting the Aquarium of the Lagoons of Nouméa, one can observe the oldest coral in the world residing in a basin. This echinopora, also known as hedgehog coral, is 53 years old. Its behaviour and adaptation abilities are meticulously studied. In November, the public can also witness the coral spawning, which occurs only once a year, and lasts only a few hours.
Essential vocabulary
If French is mastered by all New Caledonians, no less than 28 languages and 11 dialects are spoken, including Kanak languages. Four of them are officially recognised as regional languages and are taught in high schools, colleges, and at the university. These include Drehu in Lifou, Nengone on the Isle of Maré, Paicî in the Poindimié and Koné-Pouembout regions on the Grande Terre, and Ajië in the Houailou region. French / Paicî / Ajië / Drehu / Nengone Hello / Boyou / Âriké / Bozu / Bozu Goodbye / Topai të-wë / Gaara / Edrae hë / Ha eked Thank you (very much) / Olé héti / Ëi / Oleti / Ci oreone Yes-no / Üü -Bwa / Ē-déko How are you? / Âriké na e? / Hape ue lai? / Ha ilo? I'm fine / Bura-tôô / Egöcatr(e) / Engetace My name is... / Ame ni tre... / Yele ni in ko...
Gastronomy
A traditional Melanesian dish from New Caledonia, bougna is prepared with chicken or fish, sweet potatoes, cassava, ripe bananas, yams, tomatoes, onions, celery and parsley simmered in a pot with coconut milk. Another way to cook this dish is by wrapping the ingredients in banana leaves and cooking them over a wood fire, on heated stones.
Myths and legends
The legend of Bugni and Ku tells the origin of these two emblematic trees of New Caledonia. The first, sturdy, is used as a pillar for building huts. The second has no other purpose than to light fires under the pots. According to the story, a poor and lonely woman prayed to the Sun to grant her comfort and the children, without whom she was pining. In response, the sun gave her two trees, which she cherished like her own children. Once they were grown, she asked them for some wood for heating. To the first, who happily accepted, she predicted: "You will be a strong tree, and when men cut you down, it will be with difficulty because you will only bow very late. But they can count on you to build their hut." To the second, who rejected her, she said: "When men try to cut you down, you will fall immediately and rot very quickly, starting at the heart." You will just be wood for the fire, which will burn very quickly, without warming anyone!”
Culture
Book The first novel by documentary filmmaker Jacques-Olivier Trompas, 'Au pays des Borgnes' (2018), tells the story of Franck Archemont, a former war photographer. Upon his father's death, he returns to New Caledonia to reconnect with his mother, their fields, and the complexity of the land where he grew up. Franck, and later his daughter Sarah, attempt to uncover a multiracial Oceanic society that may be able to overcome the violence of the past and better build a future. Music While many dialects in New Caledonia are threatened with extinction, it is sometimes music that allows them to perpetuate their traditions. Several local groups have chosen to sing in their Kanak language to preserve this cultural heritage. Film In 'New Caledonia, a Rock Like No Other', documentary filmmaker Bernard Crouzet reveals the cultural diversity of this island, where Kanaks, Caldoches (descendants of Europeans), Métis, Polynesians and Asians coexist in heavenly settings.
Key figures – 24,000
With an area of 24,000 km², the New Caledonian lagoon is one of the largest lagoons in the world. It is bordered by a 1,600-kilometre-long coral reef, the second-largest coral reef in the world.
Discover the destination
Escape from the everyday in New Caledonia, from Grande Terre to the Loyalty Islands, and from Kanak villages in the bush to other-worldly beaches. We have put together a few essential activities and visits for your South Pacific cruise: fun on the water and underwater, plus sporty and cultural attractions.
Surrounded by seven green hills and bordered by seven bays, the capital of New Caledonia exudes a tropical charm and a laid-back vibe. The population is made up of European, Kanak and Polynesian communities, and each group has infused the city with its own culture and history. At sunset, join the locals and watch the sunset from a seafront terrace.
Just off the coast of Nouméa, in a protected marine area, Amédée Islet is a tiny speck of land surrounded by turquoise water and a beach of fine sand. The bravest visitors can climb the 247 steps of the lighthouse, the only metal structure of its kind in France. From the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the lagoon and, in the distance, the jagged line of the Grande Terre mountains.
New Caledonia’s exceptionally beautiful lagoons and tropical reefs have been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fish of all sizes, turtles and dugongs inhabit the largest coral reefs in Oceania, rivalled only by those in Fiji. Visiting this natural wonder is a real privilege.
Kanak culture is based on clan membership and ties to the land; oral history and ancestral memories play a central role in people’s lives. A visit to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa is a great way to delve deeper. In a modern building inspired by a traditional home, a unique collection explores the art, customs and history of the indigenous people of New Caledonia.
Lifou, Maré, Ouvéa, Tiga: the four Loyalty Islands are like emeralds set in the sapphire of the Coral Sea. In this unspoilt environment, you can experience an authentic tribal welcome and go snorkelling in waters so clear that the fish are visible from the surface.