French-speaking holiday in the Pacific

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This was published 8 years ago

French-speaking holiday in the Pacific

By Michael Gebicki
Hit the beach: Le Meridien, in Oro Bay.

Hit the beach: Le Meridien, in Oro Bay.Credit: Louisa Kirby

I AM LEARNING FRENCH AND MY HUSBAND AND I WANT TO GO ON A FRENCH-SPEAKING HOLIDAY NEXT JULY. WE SPENT SIX WEEKS IN FRANCE LAST YEAR BUT DON'T WANT TO TRAVEL SO FAR THIS TIME. I AM TOSSING UP BETWEEN NOUMEA AND TAHITI.

I HEAR CONFLICTING REPORTS ABOUT NOUMEA BUT A FRIEND SUGGESTED I DO NOUMEA AND A NEARBY RESORT TO GET THE BEST MIX BETWEEN LIVING LIKE A LOCAL AND A BEACH HOLIDAY. WHAT ARE YOUR SUGGESTIONS?

S. ANGELO, ABBOTSFORD

Either Noumea or French Polynesia would satisfy your requirement for a French-speaking destination but there are big differences between the two. Tahiti and its islands are much further, and more expensive.

French Polynesia sells itself as a romantic destination and it has all the right credentials, but for a three-week holiday in French Polynesia you could fly yourselves to France, stay in three-star hotels, eat better food and still come home with change.

Noumea is even closer to Sydney than Cairns, and more reasonably priced than French Polynesia. My suggestion would be to plan only a short stay in Noumea and head for the Isle of Pines, where New Caledonia gets into holiday mode. The glossiest of the island's accommodation is Le Meridien, which is poised on delectable Oro Bay. Kuto Beach and Kanumera on the island's south-west coast and the more northerly Baie de Ouameo all have less expensive options in the form of simple relais and gites. You can find several options on the Isle of Pines website (isle-of-pines.com). Three weeks is rather long and you could also take in the islands of Lifou and Ouvea.

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