This impressive monument was unveiled in 1913 to great fanfare to mark 60 years of French possession of New Caledonia. It has since been left to virtually disappear in the weeds. About 1km north of the Mahamat Beach turn-off, it sits atop a small hill that was the site for France's first fort in the colony, built in 1853. History buffs should look for a sign on the right, when heading north. Blink and you'll miss it.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
1.75 MILES
Directly below Balade Church, this monument, a large Kanak flag, was unveiled on 24 September 2011, 158 years to the day after France took possession of…
0.82 MILES
Captain James Cook became the first European to discover New Caledonia in 1774, on his second voyage. He landed at Mahamat Beach, and it was on climbing…
7.24 MILES
Inside Pouébo’s Catholic church there’s a marble mausoleum where the remains of Bishop Douarre, who set up New Caledonia’s first Catholic mission, are…
6.86 MILES
About 1km north of Pouébo, on the coast side of the main road, is a carefully tended, touching memorial to 10 local Kanak men who were guillotined by the…
1.89 MILES
The stained-glass windows in this cute little church tell the story from the first Catholic mass. In 1853 France officially laid claim to New Caledonia at…
22.19 MILES
Located near the roundabout, eye-catching Église Ste Jeanne d’Arc was constructed in 1950 out of a WWII aircraft hangar.
Nearby Grande Terre attractions
0.82 MILES
Captain James Cook became the first European to discover New Caledonia in 1774, on his second voyage. He landed at Mahamat Beach, and it was on climbing…
1.75 MILES
Directly below Balade Church, this monument, a large Kanak flag, was unveiled on 24 September 2011, 158 years to the day after France took possession of…
1.89 MILES
The stained-glass windows in this cute little church tell the story from the first Catholic mass. In 1853 France officially laid claim to New Caledonia at…
6.86 MILES
About 1km north of Pouébo, on the coast side of the main road, is a carefully tended, touching memorial to 10 local Kanak men who were guillotined by the…
7.24 MILES
Inside Pouébo’s Catholic church there’s a marble mausoleum where the remains of Bishop Douarre, who set up New Caledonia’s first Catholic mission, are…
22.19 MILES
Located near the roundabout, eye-catching Église Ste Jeanne d’Arc was constructed in 1950 out of a WWII aircraft hangar.