Experience Somewhere NEW
Holiday in a Land of Contrasts – Discover cosmopolitan Noumea and the amazing Southern Province.
The Southern Province covers the bottom half of the mainland and the Isle of Pines and includes the capital city of Nouméa.
In 1854, a French naval officer, Tardy de Montravel, charmed by the natural port of Nouméa, claimed the site in the name of France. Since then Nouméa has been discovered and fashioned by sailors and missionaries. It was initially named Port de France and became the Headquarters of the U.S. army during the Pacific War.
Today, Nouméa is a vibrant city where the South Pacific meets the French Riviera with its French-inspired architecture and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Outside Nouméa, the diversity of landscapes is beyond imagination. Magnificent flora and fauna. Spectacular mountains and lush forests. The bush and wide open spaces. Swimming and diving in the emerald green waters. The rich and fascinating Kanak culture.
Experience unique and exotic flora and fauna; the famous ‘columnar’ pines (13 of the 19 species known in the world only exist in New Caledonia); and the national bird, the flightless Cagou.
The Isle of Pines is indeed a taste of paradise, located 80km south-east of Nouméa, it is just 14 km wide and 18 km long. Yet while relatively small in size it is big on what it has to offer the visitor. A beautiful island where time seems to stand still in an idyllic setting of white beaches under swaying palms and the soaring columnar pines from which it takes its name.
New Caledonia's Southern Province has something for everyone. Vive la difference!
