Discover NEW Culture

New Caledonia is a land rich in Melanesian and Colonial history, where the warmth of the weather is only matched by that of your welcome.

New Caledonia is a cultural kaleidoscope. A fascinating melting pot of thousand year old Kanak culture blended with Pacific, European and Asian lifestyles.

The Melanesian population is proud of its heritage, and their time-honoured culture is very much part of New Caledonian life. Throughout the land you will find a strong Melanesian influence in architecture, arts, crafts and hospitality.

Noumea has several of New Caledonia’s most important cultural centres.

The recently constructed Tjibaou Cultural Centre is the cultural reference point for the entire South Pacific. It offers the visitor a unique collection of contemporary art from the Pacific region, as well as exciting Melanesian and Polynesian artistic and historic displays. The architecture alone is worth a visit, created by the famous Pritzker Prize Winner, Renzo Piano, who has brilliantly merged Kanak design with modern architecture.

The Territorial Museum houses some superb examples of Melanesian architecture, as well as an excellent collection of utensils and artefacts from all over the Pacific. The City of Noumea Museum, housed in a building dating back to 1864, retraces the history of the city and the country from 1854 to 1954. Or the historic Bernheim Library is a must see for those interested in literature.

Experience Melanesian hospitality when you visit a tribal village. You are assured of a warm, genuine welcome. Enjoy the magic of the ancestral traditions. Learn about the “coutume” (custom) and discover the abundant traditional plants.