Noumea Highlights, Wine & Cheese

This excursion appeals to the senses by presenting views of Noumea's natural beauty, followed by a wine and cheese tasting that reveals the area's French influence.

Make your way to the Notre Dame Lookout point, where you'll enjoy sweeping harbor views. En route, you'll pass the Southern Province Government House, Port Plaisance Shopping Center, the Yacht Club and the Marina's housing complex. All the while, you'll be getting a feel for the cosmopolitan city of Noumea, whose atmosphere is decidedly French. But that's only one vantage point that helps to introduce you to the Paris of the Pacific as the city is known.

Continuing on south of Noumea, you'll stop at the Ouen Toro scenic lookout, from which you'll see a portion of New Caledonia's barrier reef, which is the world's second longest, only eclipsed by Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The lookout is also home to a memorial honoring the Allied troops that protected the French colony of New Caledonia during World War II.

The island has deep ties to France, best expressed through exquisite French cuisine served in local restaurants and its wine and cheese culture. You'll stop at one of them to taste different vintages and sample a variety of classic cheeses accompanied by French baguettes. The drive back to the pier takes you via a route that presents yet another scenic perspective of Noumea.