Nouméa – where the French Riviera meets the South Pacific.
Nouméa is a bustling cosmopolitan city with a distinct French ambience, where most people will start their New Caledonia experience. There is so much to see and do in Nouméa, the possibilities are virtually endless.
The first humans to settle in New Caledonia arrived around 1,500 to 2,000 years ago, bringing with them their Melanesian languages and cultures.
In 1774 James Cook discovered a large island as his ship, The Resolution, made its way to New Zealand. He christened this land ‘New Caledonia’ and spent some time in Balade in the north, where he came into contact with Melanesian tribes.
In 1853, under the reign of Napoleon III, France took possession of the island by the declaration of Admiral Febvrier-Despointes. At the same time, the discovery of substantial mineral deposits promised exciting future development possibilities. The mining of copper, cobalt and nickel contributed significantly to the growth of New Caledonia’s economy.
In 1854, a French naval officer, Tardy de Montravel, charmed by the large natural port, laid claim to the site which we now know as Nouméa.
It was originally called Port de France and was later changed to Nouméa which is derived from a combination of Melanesian words meaning ‘island’ and ‘a small tropical fish’.
The settlement was initially set up as a trading post and soon after as a French fortress. Much of its layout today is due to these influences.
Since then Nouméa has been discovered and fashioned by sailors and missionaries, governed by the military who turned into the Headquarters of the U.S. army during the Pacific War.
As Nouméa is built on a large pensinsula, it is blessed with an excellent choice of harbour views, as well as many welcoming islands around its shores which are favourite weekend haunts. It is also home to around 100,000 people, which is approximately 40% of the population of New Caledonia.
Nouméa is also the country’s administrative and political economic centre and reflecting a multi-cultural society, nourished by generations of peaceful communal living between the archipelago’s various ethnic communities.
Nouméa has lost nothing of its charm and has managed to develop many unique attractions. These include a downtown area which was designed in the 19th century, increasingly well-preserved colonial houses in the first residential areas to be built, the vestiges of the military which can be seen in several areas, beautiful sheltered bays bathed in sunshine, and so much more !
It is a pleasure to stroll through Nouméa along the Place des Cocotiers embellished by fabulous flame trees, around its monumental fountain and the old time music kiosk.
Continue along the streets flanked by old colonial houses, the bays highlighted by hibiscus and bougainvilleas, the marina, an inspiring contemporary architectural design and on to beaches gently caressed by the trade winds … right in the heart of the city!
