Great Earth
Grande Terre is the main island of New Caledonia. Long and 450 km wide and 50 km approximately, it has the shape of a cigar and is characterized by its mosaic of landscapes. The interior is traversed by a mountain chain, which exceeds 1 000 m. The two coasts have physiognomies are very different : the east coast, exposed to the prevailing winds, and the wettest, and is very lush, while the west coast, in the wind and more dry, is marked by an alternation of large grassy plains devoted to farming, and large picture windows.
NOUMÉA
Nouméa, a little air is Nice in the tropics. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
A small air of Nice in the tropics… Set in a magnificent natural treasure, combining hills, bays, beaches, lagoon and mangroves, the capital of the caledonian does not lack pace. Walk along the sea front in anse Vata or a drink in a bar along the “BD” (Lemon Bay) are part of the rituals for visitors and Nouméens. As for culture, do not miss the exceptional cultural Center Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a cultural hub and architectural of the Pacific, dedicated to the kanak culture and the aquarium of the Lagoons, to get acquainted with the many biotopes of the new caledonian lagoon, a part of which is inscribed on the world heritage list of Unesco.
stay :
Le Meridien Noumea Resort & Spa, Noumea 98800, New Caledonia. Tel. : +687 26 50 00. Double room from 180 € per night.
THE GREAT SOUTH
The southern tip of the Great Land, shows a decor worthy of a Wild West. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
an hour’s drive from Nouméa, the southern tip of the Great Land, shows a decor worthy of a Wild West : bushes, shrubs, forests, remnants of mining, ruins of a penal colony, artificial lake, vast bays, waterfalls, and a beautiful nature reserve, the provincial park of the Rivière-Bleue, which unfolds around a lake. Inside the park, a network of marked trails allows hiking and mountain BIKING, and even to approach the cagou, the bird iconic (and endemic) to New Caledonia, a stilt-walker to 50 cm high with a beautiful plumage grey, with an orange beak and a crest on the head. From mid-July to mid-September, humpback whales frequent the waters of the bay of Prony. – Watching outings are organised at the start of Noumea.
stay :
Kanua Tera Ecolodge, tel : +687 46.90.00. Bungalow double room from 190 € per night, breakfast included.
BOURAIL AND POÉ
Poé is the main resort area on the west coast. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
On the west coast, the small town of Bourail is the bastion of culture caldoche, the territory of the stockmen (the equivalent of the gauchos) who move horses in their huge ranches to watch the flocks. In mid-August, it is absolutely necessary to attend the fair of Bourail, when there is a rodeo up in color. Fifteen kilometres from Bourail, Poé is the main resort area on the west coast. The people of Noumea have their habits on the weekend. The long beach of Poé stretches over several kilometres in the face of a lagoon of translucent suitable for swimming and nautical activities. You can also take leisurely strolls along the coastline.
stay :
Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort, Route de Poé, New Caledonia. Tel. : +687 26 50 00. Double room from 180 €.
guest House The Effect Sea, the Roche percee, New-Caledonia. Tel. : +687 41.61.42. Double room from 60 €.
COAST FORGOTTEN
Thio offers a striking contrast and unique in New Caledonia. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
It bears well its name, this portion of the coast fifty kilometres to the south of Thio (east coast), totally off the beaten track. It exudes a perfume of adventure, along the only road that ends in a cul-de-sac, enjoying superb views over the lagoon. What to do ? Nothing, or else indulge in the contemplation and disconnect completely bivouaquant in a coconut grove, in absolute silence.
stay :
Fô’t Dream,Great Borendi, Thio(30 km Thio). Tel. : +687 76 31 33. Camping 12 €, bungalow is 60 €.
THE CORNICE CALEDONIAN
It is to Ride, on the lands of the common current of Pouébo, that took place the first contact between Europeans and the people of Kanak. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
This is one of the most sectors to be the most photogenic of the Great Land, north-east, between Pouébo and Hienghène. The narrow coastal road winds its way in the middle of coconut groves and passes through the hamlets of the kanak people, where time seems to have stopped. The eye is drawn to one side by the lush mountains and waterfalls frothing, the other by the blue vastness of the lagoon. Here and there, some small beaches invite you to a picnic in an olympian calm. The infrastructure – just a handful of campsites are limited, but the magic operates.
stay :
The Relay Ouane Batch, RPN3, New Caledonia. Tel. : +687 42 47 92. Camping 12 €, bungalow 50 €.
HIENGHÈNE
In this region of Hienghène called the Cradle of the soul kanak, nature was more than generous. Just divine, imagine a forest of corals, cliffs of black stones in the middle of the lagoon, waterfalls and impressive vegetation. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
Fief of the kanak culture on the east coast of the Grande Terre, Hienghène is an ideal base for immersing oneself in the culture of melanesian traditional. Visit the tribes (villages) nearby, stay in a box, kanak, and participate in the activities of the clan (shrimp fishing, weaving, carving, cooking). Hienghène is also a mecca for diving, with over a dozen sites renowned for their amazing architecture (arches, canyons) and the abundance of corals, gorgonians and nudibranchs.
stay :
Koulnoue Village BP 63, Hienghéne 98815, New Caledonia. Tel. : +687 42 81 66. Double room from 80 €.
POINDIMIÉ
To a very large majority of all diving enthusiasts share the feeling that the dive spots off the coast of Poindimié are the most beautiful and richest of the Great Earth. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
Main town on the east coast of the Grande Terre, Poindimié worth a stopover of a day or two, especially if you like diving. The site, near the barrier reef, are suitable for all levels and attract wildlife dense. Main attraction : the flaming sea-fans and soft corals, shimmering. For baptisms and snorkelling, cape town on the beautiful island Tibarama, only 10 minutes of navigation. Don’t forget your camera action ! For sunbathing, the beach of Poindimié well is the case.
stay :
Hotel Tieti, Poindimié, New Caledonia. Tel. : 687 42 64 00. Double room from 155 €.
Cottage Néwé-Jié, Ina, Poindimié, New Caledonia. Tel. : +687 42 70 74. Bungalow double room from 74 €.
POUM AND THE NORTHERN TIP
The road, which, since Koumac, leads to Buddy, and then Poingam, and finally Boat-Pass is as beautiful as it is spectacular. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
After the city of Koumac on the west coast, the scenery became very wild, and the road is narrow, passes through rolling hills. One passes in front of the hotel Malabou Beach before you reach the small village of Poum. Take a picnic to the lovely beach of Nenon, in the shape of a horseshoe, and then join the Relais de Poingam, an accommodation located at the edge of the water. Still a few kilometers and we arrive at the hamlet of Boat Pass, the most northern point of Grande Terre. Terminus ! This part of the coast is lined by mangrove swamp.
stay :
Malabou Beach, bay Néhoué, 98826 Poum, New Caledonia. Tel. :+687 24 24 77. Bungalow double room from € 95.
Loyalty islands Spot the most instagrammable of the archipelago of the Loyalty islands, the bridge of Mouli in Uvea. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
They are only 100 km to the east of the Grande Terre, but offer an absolute change of scenery. The three main islands that comprise this archipelago, Ouvéa, Lifou and Loyalty – each have a personality separate and distinct but have the common denominator of a kanak identity and very assertive. No major infrastructure will spoil the beauty of these islands, tours to ecotourism and the discovery of cultural and natural heritage. Long stretches of clear sand, limestone cliffs, lagoons, thick forests… Nothing is missing. Confidence : it is here that you will find the most beautiful beaches of the Pacific !
UVEA
Imagine a coral atoll that stretches about forty kilometers, almost entirely hemmed by a pristine beach, lapped by the sparkling waters of the lagoon. Coconut long-haired dodelinent at the discretion of the trade winds. Person on the horizon. There is only one road, which runs along the lagoon, and very few vehicles. The atmosphere invites you to relax, at least indulge in a nautical excursion, with a picnic, grilled fish, on an island of the barrier reef. Spot the most instagrammable of the archipelago, the bridge of Mouli, which spans a channel, provides an incomparable perspective on the lagoon.
stay :
Paradise of Ouvea, tribe of Fayawa, Ouvea 98814, New Caledonia. Tel. : +687 45 54 00. Bungalow double room from 272 €.
Hotel Beaupré, Baie de Fayaoué Hnyimaha, BP 52 Fayaoué, New Caledonia. Bungalow double from 138 €.
Lifou
the Whole palette of blues offers the look on the beautiful beaches of Lifou, the largest of the Loyalty islands. Unmissable event, the immense bay of Chateaubriand draws an arc of a circle of several kilometers, fringed with white sand like flour. While in the north, the impressive cliffs of Jokin talk ocean indigo. Want a robinsonnade ? Walk down to the beach Kiki’s Beach, a well-kept secret, accessible in 40 minutes by following a path in the forest. Other options : the beach of Peng, oriented to the west (ideal for the sunset) and the beach of Luengöni, she is also virginal and well shaded. Lifou is also a diver’s paradise. One comes to discover vast fields of sea fans and an underwater landscape very varied (canyons, ravines, arches). For snorkeling, nothing beats the baie of Jinek, a huge natural aquarium, to the calm, protected waters.
stay :
Drehu Village, Baie De Chateaubriand BP 265 WE, 98820 Lifou, New Caledonia. Tel. : +687 45 02 70. Bungalow double room from 126 €.
The Oasis de Kiamu, tribe of Hnaeu BP 417 98820 WE Lifou, New Caledonia. Tel. : +687 45 15 00. Bungalow double room from 134 €.
FAVELAS
The more wild and the more discreet of the Loyalty islands, Maré doesn’t easily tamed. Discover its traditions still linger on in major holiday farm which punctuate the local life, such as the Avocado festival in may, or the feast of Snapper in November. Side nature, stunning coastal trails allow you to discover the rugged coastline and high cliffs interspersed with bays and deserted beaches. Two secret beaches to discover after a walk : the beach Ekure and the range of Ceni, in the north-east of the island. Atmosphere the end of the world, guaranteed !
stay :
Nengone Village, 98828 Tadine, Maré, New Caledonia. Tel. : +687 45 45 00. Bungalow double room from 140 €.
Isle of Pines a hundred kilometers of the grande terre, the île des Pins is one of the jewels of the Pacific : its turquoise bays with beaches of fine sand make it a destination of tourist from New Caledonia. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
The postcard of the Pacific ! Just 60 km south-east of Nouméa, this island combines all the ingredients of paradise island : majestic bays fringed with beaches of sand as fine as talcum powder, blue waters glittering, pine forests, columnar, and stunning marine depths and isolated islets. Preserved from mass tourism, the isle of Pines was able to maintain his personality melanesian and lends its enchanting setting with exceptional experiences. Aboard a traditional boat with a wooden hull, of a triangular sail and an outrigger, slip on the crystal clear waters of the bay of Upi to join the Oro bay and its splendid “natural swimming pool”, ideal for snorkelling and swimming. Other sites to discover in the lagoon : the island Brush and ilot Moro. The lovers of diving will also enjoy it on the sites to the north-west of the island, rich in sea fans, coral and fauna, colorful group. A lover of history ? The island also has some historical relics of interest, including the remains of a penal colony in the Nineteenth century.
stay :
Ouré Téra, baie de Kanuméra BP 170, 98832, isle of Pines,
New Caledonia. Tel. : + 687 43 13 15. Bungalow double from 203 €.
Cottage Nataiwatch, baie de Kanuméra BP 26, 98832. Island of the Pines. New Caledonia. Tel: +687 46 11 13. Bungalow double room from 110 €.
read also : New Caledonia : Paradise and pine bless When to go to New Caledonia The best time to visit New Caledonia is during the summer and early fall, from June to November, during the dry season. Jean-Bernard Carillet / Le Figaro
The best time to party in New Caledonia extends between July and January. The climate is pleasant and the months of July and August mark the whale season. From September to November extends the period more enjoyable for the practice of hiking and water sports.
From November to April, the hot season or austral summer offers temperatures ranging from 25 to 27 °C, but also precipitation, more frequent and sometimes cyclones can be quite violent. It is also the period of the most watered down : this is the season the so-called cyclones, between mid-February and late march. The east coast, known as the ” windward coast “, is twice as much water as the west coast, the so-called ” side under the wind “. The air is more humid on the east coast, but the sky is just as sunny.
From may to September, the dry season is a little cooler, but overall this is a spring weather that prevails continuously from one end of the year : August is the coldest month, with temperatures down to 17°C.
getting there
With eleven hours of time difference, the trip from Europe is very long for New Caledonia (at least 24 hours, with a minimum of one stopover). From Paris, the flight, the most direct is operated by Air France (code share with Aircalin ; airfrance.fr) via Japan (Tokyo or Osaka), or 24 hours of vol, The departures are daily from the airport of Roissy-CDG. There are other possible routes from France : via Australia (with Qantas or any other airline serving Australia), New Zealand (via Auckland) and even via Helsinki with Finnair (Paris-Helsinki-Tokyo with Finnair and correspondence to Noumea with Aircalin). These routes are longer, but often less expensive. Count between 1 000 and € 2 300 € round-trip in economy class.
domestic flights are operated by Air Caledonia (air caledonia.nc). On departure from Noumea, the following destinations are served : Koné, Koumac, Touho, Ouvea, Lifou, Maré and the isle of Pines. The flights, between the Loyalty islands are provided by Air Loyalty (air-fair.nc). The isle of Pines, Maré and Lifou are also accessible by a catamaran the Betico 2 (betico.nc).
The editorial team conseilleLes 10 sites and must-see attractions in New CalédonieLa New Caledonia, halfway between bush and lagonCoronavirus: New Caledonia update on the local tourism industry in the face of the closure of the cielSujetsNouméaNouvelle-CalédonieFrancevoyageTourismeNatureaucun comment
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