Must-see places in Nouméa | Sud Tourism New Caledonia

Must-see places

Get a taste of Nouméa’s exceptional lifestyle! Explore its museums, grab a bite at its restaurants, or chill out at its cafés. Rediscover the joys of lounging around on the beaches of Baie des Citrons, Anse Vata or one of the many islets around Nouméa. Check out the town’s market. Venture off the beaten track in the surrounding natural parks. Whether you’re with family, flying solo, or with your partner, “Néa”,’ the capital of the “Le Caillou” (the rock), has something to charm you!

Feel free to explore the Sud Tourisme website and visit tourist offices, where our memory makers can share their top tips and reveal some hidden gems!

Nouméa

Nouméa Tjibaou Cultural Center

Named in honour of the Kanak political leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou (1936-1989), the Centre Culturel Tjibaou helps you better understand Kanak culture in New Caledonia. Built on Tina Bay in a setting of mangroves and endemic plants, the building is the work of architect Renzo Piano. A true ode to Kanak cultural traditions, it comprises ten large huts surrounded by Araucaria pines trees, reproducing the island’s vernacular architecture. Behind them, a plant trail introduces you to the Kanak way, retracing the steps of the myth of the first Téâ Kanaké man. Inside, the cultural centre is not only a place for artistic expression, but also a museum, a media library, a research centre, a conference room, an 8-hectare park, and so much more. Besides permanent and temporary exhibitions, dance performances, guided tours, and concerts are offered on a regular basis.

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Nouméa The municipal market

All the diversity of New Caledonia can be found at the Nouméa city market. The “Moselle market” offers a wide range of local and Pacific produce. Cosmopolitan, colourful, and friendly, it attracts both Nouméans and tourists at weekends. Its five blue-tiled pavilions are a treasure trove! Passion-fruit, mangoes, fish, spices, taros, yams, chokos, and more. Each stall features seasonal specialities. It’s up to you to discover them and strike up a conversation to learn their preparation secrets!

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Nouméa Islets and beaches

Set in one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons, the Nouméa peninsula offers a dream setting. The legendary beaches of Anse Vata and Baie des Citrons are a paradise for residents and tourists alike. Right in the heart of the city, lined with tropical bird trees, they’re the perfect place for a dip, a picnic, or a break after a visit or a day’s work. The water is soft and calm. The many bars and restaurants in the vicinity will help you prolong the pleasure of relaxation. Sport buffs will appreciate the many water activities available, especially at Anse Vata: paddleboards, windsurf and snorkelling gear are available for hire all year round.

Anse Vata and Lemon Bay

Nouméa Forest Park

Set off in search of the famous kagu, the region’s emblematic bird! Learn to recognise the sound of the notou, another endemic bird found in the wild. A must-see for young and old alike, the Parc Provincial Zoologique et Forestier is home to many of New Caledonia’s endemic species. Local species (fruit bats, Ouvéa parakeets, Caledonian ravens) and non-local species (monkeys, snakes, ostriches, etc.) inhabit the enclosures and cages of this large green space. The 36-hectare park can also be visited for its nature trails, panoramic routes, and dry forest. Lovely picnic spots make this an attractive spot for a relaxing family time.

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Nouméa Aquarium des Lagons

Get to know the countless marine creatures of the New Caledonian lagoon! The Aquarium des Lagons de Nouméa presents New Caledonia’s different marine ecosystems over no less than 3,000 m². You’ll discover sea snakes, nautiluses, colourful fish of all kinds, sharks, rays, turtles, and more. You’ll plunge into the world of rivers, mangroves, and the sea. Admire the different varieties of coral. Explanations are educational, making the aquarium an ideal outing before going snorkelling in the lagoon. Night-time visits and species releases into the wild are a must!

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