Hiva Oa
A homage to Gauguin that traces the artist's life through locally painted reproductions of his art. The main signs are translated into English but the…
Must-see attractions in French Polynesia
Mo'orea
In Maharepa, you can't miss this early-20th-century building on the mountain side of the road. It's a fine example of a fare vanira, a plantation house…
Huahine
On the airport road, what's even more impressive than this collection of more than 500 French Polynesian shells is the fascinating tour (in English or…
The Marquesas
At the far end of the village, make a beeline for this grandiose tohua, which hosted numerous dance and cultural performances during the Marquesas Arts…
Around Tahiti Nui
Whether or not you believe in the powers of the tiki (sacred statue), it’s hard to deny there is an amazing energy radiating from Marae Arahurahu in the…
Around Tahiti Nui
Everybody loves Plage de Taharuu – locals taking the kids for a swim, tourists on day trips from Pape’ete and surfers catching some great waves. This…
Around Tahiti Nui
When the swell is big enough, huge sprays of water shoot out from the trou du souffleur (blowhole) in a little park by the road just after the tunnel at…
Huahine
This little pearl shop is located on a pearl farm in the middle of the lagoon and also features the work of the founder, renowned potter Peter Owen. From…
Ra'iatea & Taha'a
An exceptionally friendly, family-run pearl farm right on the seashore, approximately halfway between Tapuamu and Patio. Visitors learn about the…
Hiva Oa
On the property of the restaurant Pehekua – Chez Marie-Antoinette, shortly before the Iipona site, is a small graveyard with the tomb of the valley’s last…
Hiva Oa
This isolated, poignant site about 2km up in a valley (ask for directions) features a series of tombs made of stones; note the small tiki that are carved…
Huahine
Situated on the water’s edge on the Fare side of Maeva, the fare potee (open traditional house) has a small archaeological museum. Around the site are 10…
Mo'orea
Up the Opunohu valley road, this lookout is the island's highest point accessible by car. It offers superb views of Opunohu and Cook's bays, Mt Rotui …
The Marquesas
At the northern entrance of the village there’s a large flat stone that you can walk out onto to see a view of the village and bay. It’s now used to dry…
The Marquesas
Located next to the mayor’s office, this little museum features pestles, tiki, finely carved sculptures, pahu (drums), jewellery and period photos as well…
Bora Bora
There are only a handful of marae (traditional temple) ruins on Bora Bora, including Marae Fare-Opu, which is squeezed between the roadside and the water…
Bora Bora
Bora Bora’s only real beach, this stunning stretch of snow-white sand and pinch-me-I’m-dreaming turquoise sea is perfect for sunbathing and swimming (but…
Huahine
Find some of the island's best beaches around this bay. The lagoon is wide and good for swimming. The best beach is at Relais Mahana. Further on the road…
Hiva Oa
Behind the Espace Culturel Paul Gauguin you’ll find a big aircraft hangar. In the centre is Jacques Brel’s plane, Jojo; faded posters tracing the musician…
Hiva Oa
Framed by basaltic cliffs, this wide curve of black sand is very scenic – it inspired painter Paul Gauguin, which is saying a lot – but it’s not…
Nuku Hiva
Rebuilt for the 1989 Marquesas Festival, this pae pae (traditional meeting platform) contains modern sculptures and a dozen magnificent tiki made by the…
Notre-Dame Cathedral of the Marquesas Islands
Nuku Hiva
This striking building is built from wood and stones on a former sacred site venerated by the ancient Marquesans. The stones come from the archipelago’s…
The Marquesas
Situated above the village, the magnificent Tohua Mauia comprises a huge L-shaped stone platform as well as numerous pae pae dotted around the main…
French Polynesia
Taravai had a population of 2000 when the missionaries arrived, but today only about five people live here. The 1868 Église Saint-Gabriel (Church of St…
French Polynesia
Aukena has reminders of the missionary period, including the hexagonal lookout tower, still used as a landmark, the former seminary and the lime kiln. The…
Fakarava
This photogenic 15m-tall grey turret (dating from 1957) looks as if it’s on loan from a medieval castle. The lighthouse is no longer in operation. To get…
The Marquesas
This little-visited archaeological site on the Vaikivi Plateau is well worth the detour, if only for the walk or horse ride to get there. A guide is…
Mo'orea
The largest village on the west coast, Haapiti is home to the splendid twin-towered Catholic Église de la Sainte Famille, which is made of coral and lime…
Pape'ete
Towards the outer edge of Pape’ete’s urban sprawl in Arue is this lovely little replica of Mutiny on the Bounty co-author James Norman Hall’s house. The…
Ra'iatea & Taha'a
From Hôtel Hibiscus the coast road goes around the northern side of the bay to Haamene passing Rooverta Ebbs’ Poerani, where you can check out pearl…
The Marquesas
For a beautiful view of Hakahau Bay head east from Pukuéé pension along a track until you reach a small pass. Here take the right fork and climb steeply…
Rangiroa
Vin de Tahiti has a 6-hectare vineyard planted on a palm-fringed motu about 10 minutes by boat from Avatoru village. This is the only atoll vineyard in…
Huahine
Here’s a secret spot (shhh): the beach of the former Hana Iti Hotel. This dreamlike cove lapped by lapis-lazuli waters offers a nice patch of sand backed…
French Polynesia
Fully restored in 2011, the imposing Cathedral of St Michael was built between 1839 and 1848 and was Laval’s most ambitious project. It makes a colourful…
The Marquesas
Shortly after the airport at Aneou, Hakanai Bay appears like a mirage from around a sharp bend: a long curve of wave-lashed beach. It has been named Plage…
Ra'iatea & Taha'a
From Hôtel Hibiscus the coast road goes around the northern side of the bay to Haamene passing Vaipoe Pearl Farm, where you can check out pearl grafting…
Fakarava
This partly restored marae built of coral slabs sits in a coconut grove beside a lovely strip of coral sand, about 400m past Plage du PK9. The beach…
The Marquesas
A wide variety of plants, including 200 species of citrus fruits, are cultivated in these botanical gardens halfway between Vaipaee and Hane. The species…
Nuku Hiva
This modest yet well-organised archaeological museum does a good job of explaining the archipelago’s history and culture. It features artefacts, exhibits…
Maupiti
The village spreads along the east coast and is dominated by a sharp ridge running from north to south. Neat houses, brightened with hibiscus, are strung…
