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Information Office Point I : Just 50m. in front of the church, in the village square, Vao, is Point I. It is staffed by a well-travelled Kunie, Marie-Jeanne, who, in addition to her own native language, speaks English, French, Italian, Czech and Polish.

Office hours are from
8-11.30am and 2-4pm, Monday to Friday and Saturday am.

Tel. (687) 46 10 27

Where is Isle ?

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The climate

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Press (french)

Revue 2000 - 2001

 

Review of tourist information Version française
Copyright
©
idp.com
2016
Tourism | Climate & geography | Inhabitants <-- info on

Edition OCTOBER 2016
HILARY ROOTS (or Cleo)

 

 
• NOUMEA : Before or After Isle of Pines

  Whether you're on a cruise, yachting, or holidaying by plane, there are some discreet gems in the capital, Noumea, that give a deeper insight into New Caledonia. They're places to visit on foot, in your own time.

 PHILATELY

One subtle, decades-old way to learn about a country, is to collect stamps.
Old-fashioned, you might say. Yet New Caledonia is a philatelist's haven.
The South Pacific French territory issues between ten and twenty new stamps each year, highlighting flora or fauna, commemorating historical events and buildings or new developments such as a recent powerful telescope, or honouring personalities who've marked the island country's development. The most recent, September 2016,  features biologist, Doctor René Catala, revolutionary founder of the Noumea Aquarium in 1956.
Collectors' items, always accompanied by the issue of a first day cover, the stamps vary in sizes, designs and values.


 
 

The attractively-presented, philately centre in New Caledonia's Post-Office Shop, CALEDOSCOPE,  is in the middle of town, a stone's throw from where most cruise ships dock. The Philatelists' corner prides itself on speaking English and accepts Australian and New Zealand dollars, as well as yen, euros and local francs.

Address : 5 Rue Anatole France, Noumea.
Open : Mon. - Fri. 7.45 am - 3.30 pm
or consult : www.caledoscope.nc
   
  A pearly Nautilus shell carved by a French convict
   
  A pearly Nautilus shell carved by a French convict in New Caledonia,
late 19th century. Stamp issued in May 2016.

A BOOKSHOP

A centuries-old means of learning about a country is through books. Browse amongst the broadest collection of old and new publications on New Caledonia in Librairie Caledo Livres, handily situated on the town's main square, Place des Cocotiers. If you read French, all the better, however some books are in English. Ask either Patricia or Cathy for help.

Address : 21 Rue Jean Jaurès.
Open : Tuesday to Friday : 8.30 am - 5 pm,  Saturday : 8.30 am - 1 pm.



THE MARKET / Le Marché

The bay next to the central shipping quay is La Baie de la Moselle. Here, early mornings till about 11, Tuesday to Sunday, is the city's main market for fruit, vegetables and fish. It's a window on the multi-ethnic diversity that makes up New Caledonia's identity - Vietnamese, Javanese, Caledoche (mixed blood Caledonians), Melanesian, Tahitian, European - the sights and smells of their produce reveal the authentic side to local life.
Step into the adjoining pavilion for a fruit juice, or coffee and croissant, often accompanied at the weekend by strumming of a Tahitian ukulele or two. Here you'll find various handicraft and souvenir stalls as well.



MARITIME MUSEUM

There can be an upside to docking in the austere container shipping terminal - a wonderful museum devoted to New Caledonia's rich maritime history, its explorers, traders, migrant and commercial links, as well as shipwreck adventures. The hands-on, interactive displays are explained in English and French and are particularly welcoming to young learners.
Visitors to Noumea often ignore or simply walk right past this window on New Caledonia, yet an hour or two here is time well spent.

Address : 11, Avenue James Cook.
Open : Tuesday to Sunday : 10 am - 5 pm.
Adults : 500 fr, Children 6 - 18 & Seniors over 60 : 250 fr.
Note : Aust. & NZ $s accepted.



THE NEW CALEDONIA MUSEUM

Another excellent museum, often overlooked by visitors and locals alike, is Le Musée de Nouvelle-Calédonie - the New Caledonia Museum, right in the middle of town, not far from the market mentioned above. Huge carvings, ancient rock drawings and pottery dating before Christ are some of the local displays. The second floor features arts and cultures from elsewhere in Oceania, then outside, at the rear is a surprising alley of Araucaria pines (the species specific to Isle of Pines) fronting a huge, traditional, thatched Melanesian hut. An hour or two can slip by easily in this engaging museum.

Address : 45 Avenue Foch, Quartier Latin
Open : Every day, except Tuesday and Public Holidays : 9 am - 11.30 am & 12.15 - 4.30 pm
Adults : 200 fr, Children under 12 free, 12 - 18 year-olds & Seniors over 60 & handicapped visitors: 50 fr.

or return to webzine


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