New Caledonia Is Like A Tropical Paris & It’s Just 2.5 Hours From Oz

Contributor: Pedestrian

Earlier this year, New Caledonia was named the fastest-growing vacay destination for adventurous Aussies.

With its sprawling white sand beaches, one of the world’s largest marine-life-rich lagoons and a thriving culinary culture, it’s not hard to see why the South Pacific island is fast becoming a must-visit destination.

Despite its growing popularity and proximity to ‘Straya, we’d forgive you for not knowing much about the place. When looking for a tropical paradise escape, a dingo’s go-to is usually Bali or Thailand.

But New Caledonia? It’s got an edge. Not only is it tropical and lush… it’s also French.

The capital of Noumea was founded as Port-de-France in 1853, under the orders of Napoleon the 3rd. So basically, it’s island-version France, otherwise known as ‘Paris of the Pacific’.

Here’s why it’s a must visit if you want Parisian style with Pacific beauty that’s just 2.5 hours away from Oz.

The architecture

Paris is world famous for its architecture, like the breathtaking Notre-Dame and the Arc de Triomphe.

Sure, New Caledonia mightn’t have an Eiffel Tower, but they do have some lesser-known architectural triumphs.

The Tjibaou Cultural Centre, a magnificent building by Italian architect Renzo Piano, is one of them:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaJMbPwBoqj/?hl=en&taken-at=252794742

The ‘80s was a difficult time in New Caledonia, with the indigenous Kanak leaders struggled for recognition from the French government. Following this, it was decided that a culture centre was to be built – and named after Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a Kanak leader and activist.

The building is a both a functional space for the Kanak people to gather and a powerful symbol of restitution by the French government.

It’s bloody stunning, made up of a series of cocoon-shaped, timber-clad pods that poke out above the treetops and are visible from the sea. Witnessing them by boat at sunset is a must.

The baked goods

I don’t know about you, but when I’m booking a holiday, I look for somewhere where the availability and quality of baked goods is high.

New Caledonia does not disappoint on this front.

While the cafes in this part of the world aren’t situated on cobblestone streets, they’re decidedly french.

L’ Atelier Gourmand is one of the territory’s most famous. They’ve got apricot, banana, chocolate and custard tarts, chocolate eclairs, flans and fresh baked breads coming out the wazoo.

If the rich brown stuff is more your flavour, fabled master chocolatier, Patrick Morand‘s Chocolat Morand is a must-visit. Trained in Toulouse and Switzerland, Morand has run the spot for the past twelve years, crafting fine chocolates, cakes and macarons in front of salivating customers in his glass-window workstation.

If food is your jam, you can’t go past a trip to the Municipal Market at Port Moselle, on the border of the city centre and the Quartier Latin. Here you’ll discover chewy, soft baguettes, buttery croissants and springy pastries full of custards and chantilly creams, all piled high with the freshest berries. Say no more.

(New Caledonia’s vanilla is celebrated worldwide for its exquisite taste… So look out for any little delights featuring this pod-like fruit. Yaaarm.)

The natural beauty

New Caledonia is breathtaking, and cycling is a very European way to take it all in.

According to Cycling Around Sydney author Bruce Ashley, “New Caledonia is a place of real diversity of cycling experiences in such a small country”.

Hire a bike and the opportunities are endless.

Les Boucles de Tina are a cyclist’s dream. Some twenty bike trails have been traced and outfitted with a few wooden obstacles to challenge the best cyclers. If you love biking, you’ll be in paradise.

If you’re looking for a road less cycled, the west coast has you covered. Winding dirt paths that feature climbs of several hundreds of metres are challenging for even the most experienced bikers.

The boutiques

Once you’ve copped enough of the pristine, turquoise beaches, some retail therapy is in order.

Elegant boutiques line Rue de Sebastopol with French labels from high-street to high-end; including Petit Bateau, Hugo Boss, Dior, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Yves Rocher, to name a few.

Bon voyage, baby.

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