Attractions
With all of the beautiful scenery, the events and festivals, the beaches, and all of the other fun things to do here, we have also compiled a small list of museums and other attractions that you should visit during your stay here in Tahiti. While we know that you cannot fit everything into your vacation, this will help in your vacation plans by allowing you to find attractions that you will enjoy while here.
Botanical Gardens
On the main island of Tahiti, there is a beautiful botanical garden called Jardin Botanique, for you to take in and enjoy. These gardens show off the best flora that the French Polynesian Islands have to offer and will leave you refreshed and showered with the smells of thousands of tropical plants and flowers.
These gardens were opened in 1919 by American Harrison Smith, a physics teacher. He wanted to create a botanical gardens that would showcase the tropical plant species that are found on Tahiti and her islands and originally started with with 450 different species. These gardens cover over 100 acres in Papeari, Tahiti. Although the Jardin Botanique has changed hands many times, it was finally inherited by the French Polynesian government in 1962, and stayed in the hands of the Polynesian terrirory until 1974, when the H.W. Smith Association made an agreement with the territory to regain control and care of the gardens.
No matter who owns and runs the gardens, they have always been a shining spot on the main island of Tahiti and thousands of people flock to see them each year on their visits to Tahiti. With the lush palm species that surround the calm waters, it is easy to see why this is a favorite spot for everyone on the islands. The gardens are open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, and the admission is 600 CFP ($6 U.S.) for adults and children 12 and under are free.
For more information on the gardens, you can call (689) 57-10-58.
Lagoonarium
If sailing or snorkeling the lagoons of the Tahitian islands is just not your style or you just like to stay dry, a visit to the Lagoonarium is just the thing for you. Here, you are surrounded by all sorts of native fish and marine life from the lagoons all around the French Polynesian Islands such as sharks, turtles, fish, and rays. As part of the Captain Bligh Restaurant in Punaauia (about 7 miles west of the town of Papeete), you can enjoy a great meal while watching the great views of ocean life. Open daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm, you can surely fit this into your busy schedule during your trip to Tahiti. Admission is 500 CFP ($5 U.S.) for adults and 300 CFP ($3 U.S.) for children under 12 years old. For more information you can call (689) 43-62-90.
Marche' Municipale (Municipal Market)
For those who would like to do a little island food shopping at the local market, the Marche' Municipale is the place for you. From fruits and vegetables to meats and handicrafts, you can find everything your heart desires of Tahitian culture here, all available for purchase by anyone and everyone here. Upstairs in the market, there is a snack bar which serves lunch and boasts a local string band for patrons to enjoy while eating an inexpensive lunch of local foods.
There are “unwritten rules” that decide how certain items are to be sold and by who here at the market. Tahitians will sell the fruits and vegetables that are native to the islands, Chinese sell the Chinese and European vegetables, and the Chinese and Europeans are the butchers and the bakers of the marketplace. (You can easily spot the butchers by the hogs heads that hang in the stalls.) Mornings are the busiest time here at the market, but the earlier you come, the better the array of items you have to choose from. From 5 to 7 am each Sunday morning, the market turns into a small carnival, with vendors from all over the islands coming to sell their goods, but if you don't make it before 8 am, there won't be much left!
The Marche' Municipale is open everyday, and their hours are as follows: Monday through Friday from 5 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 5 am to 1 pm, and on Sunday from 4am to 8 am. There is no admission to enjoy the market, so come as often as you like while you are here in Tahiti. The market is located in Papeete about one block inland from the Pomare dock.
The James Norman Hall Home
Coauthor of “Mutiny on the Bounty”, James Norman Hall lived in Arue, which is a suburb of Papeete. While serving in World War I, Hall met the other author of the book and the two became swift friends, collaborating together on three different novels: “Men Against the Sea” and “Pitcairn's Island”, along with “Mutiny on the Bounty” and many other books about the French Polynesian Islands. Although this home is an exact replica of the one he lived in, his typewriter and other artifacts are still in place. Parking is free, but is across the road so you will have to turn around and circle back to park. Admission is 600 CFP ($6 U.S.) and the home is open from Tuesday through Sunday, from 9 am to 4 pm. It is located in Arue, a little over 3 miles to the east of Papeete and can be reached by phone at (689) 50-01-60.
The Tomb of King Pomare
Built as a tomb for the late Queen Pomare's son and located on the point Outuaiai, this beautiful coral building was built in 1879. It resembles a lighthouse, and was originally a church. Although the Queen's tomb was as big as this church, her son, Pomare V, who was known for his indifference and ingratitude for his mother, had his ashes withdrawn from his tomb and placed here in the church in 1891.
Mairie d'Arue
Arue City Hall, or the Mairie d'Arue, is in a building named “Saintonge” and was originally built by Victor Raoulx, who was a weathly politician and tradesman, in 1892. The building was bought in 1978 by the town of Arue and made into it's town hall.
Other great places to visit in Papeete :
Catholic Cathedral built in 1856 and destroy then rebuilt in 1870
Bougainville Park near the Post Office
In memories of Bougainville
for his voyage in 1766-1769