New Caledonia: Lagoons, Kanak Culture and Bougna

New Caledonia’s lagoons are distinguished by an exceptional variety of coral and fish species. The natural environment also encompasses a continuous sequence of habitats, ranging from mangroves to seagrass meadows. This gives the landscape theme two distinct facets: species diversity and the transitions between habitats.

Kanak Art and History

The Centre culturel Tjibaou in Nouméa brings together an art centre focused on Kanak culture, a museum, a venue, a library and a boutique. Its collection of contemporary Kanak and Oceanian art includes more than 600 works, some of which are on permanent display. The centre thus offers both a dedicated focus on art and a range of cultural functions.

Fort Teremba in Moindou offers a different historical perspective. Built in 1871, the fort is a historic monument and an open-air museum about the history of the penal colony and Kanak uprisings in New Caledonia. The museum also features a permanent exhibition on the penal colony and the history of the fort. Interactive terminals, audiovisual presentations, models and figures are among the exhibition elements. The site therefore focuses on both the history of the fort and the history of the penal colony.

At Baie d’Upi on Île des Pins, the making of traditional outrigger canoes is based on a tradition passed down through generations. This complements the museum and art themes with a craft handed down over time. Kanak culture is brought to life not only through art collections and historical exhibitions, but also through traditional knowledge of canoe-making.

Bougna and How It Is Prepared

Bougna is a traditional dish with a distinctive method of preparation. It typically combines fish or meat, root vegetables, poingo bananas and coconut milk. The mixture is cooked in banana leaves surrounded by hot stones. The ingredients and the method are equally integral to the dish.

At tribal accommodations in La Foa, Bourail, Yaté, Hienghène and on the islands, visitors can take part in preparing bougna in a traditional Kanak earth oven. Those interested in local cuisine will find not just a dish here, but also an opportunity to learn how it is prepared.

Landscape and Activity

Domaine de Deva in Bourail has 158 kilometres of marked hiking, horse-riding and mountain-biking trails. They pass through 1,700 hectares of dry forest, home to numerous protected endemic species. The trails cater to hiking, horse riding and mountain biking, combining these activities with the distinctive dry-forest landscape.

There are streams and rivers for swimming in cool freshwater in and around Parc des Grandes Fougères. These include Cœur de Farino, nestled in the rock. This nature experience is quite different from the marked trails through the dry forest: here, freshwater streams and rivers take centre stage.

Choosing a Hotel Based on Your Travel Interests

The places mentioned are associated with specific locations such as Nouméa, Moindou and Bourail. When choosing a hotel, compare its location with the places you plan to visit on your trip.

Discover more destinations: South Province, North Province, Loyalty Islands Province, Suriname, Solomon Islands, Cocos Island, Papua New Guinea, Palau.

See the broader travel overview: Oceania.