Noumea by day

In the heart of the city, La Place des Cocotiers and its famous bandstand is the place where people love to stroll. In the luxuriant gardens, under the shade of flame trees, the Nouméens love to come and enjoy a quick lunch or just rest for a while.

Also downtown, Chinatown with its colourful shops and Asian snacks will offer you a surprising change of scenery.
A short distance away, the Quartier Latin (the Latin Quarter), Faubourg Blanchot and the old districts of the Vallée du Tir and Vallée des Colons display a colonial ambience, with old wooden houses, ironwork decorations and flowering gardens of hibiscus and bougainvillea.

With a string of bays stretching all along the peninsula, Noumea is a pleasant city to live in.

L'Anse Vataand the Baie des Citrons on the coastline are the busiest places. Paradise for kitesurfers and windsurfers, the bays are also destinations of choice for families, cyclists and joggers. The Nouméens are sport lovers, and right after business hours, exercise enthusiasts flood the beaches.

In search of peace and quiet or more active pursuits, there is something here for everyone. Adventurous visitors can choose from various museums: enjoy one of the finest collections of Kanak art in the world as well as a remarkable collection of artefacts  from the Pacific in the Museum of New Caledonia; they can learn about the history of the capital at the Musée de la ville (City Museum); they can get acquainted with the time of exploration at the Musée de l’Histoire Maritime (Museum of Maritime History).

L’aquarium des lagons (The aquarium of the lagoon) is among the most magical places of Noumea. You can admire some of the treasures that populate the lagoon: the living fossils Nautilus, phosphorescent corals, wrasses, and sharks ... unforgettable memories for all ages.

Also, do not forget to visit the Tjibaou Cultural Center (The Tjibaou Cultural Center) located on the bays of Tina. The work of architect Renzo Piano, it is both a symbol of reconciliation and openness. A unique place where Melanesian culture is seen, is created, is lived and above all, is shared.

There is also wildlife close to the city, at Parc Forestier (Forest Park) where you can see the cagou, or roussette - (large fruit eater flying fox), among other endemic species of New Caledonia.