Tour of Nouméa's museums, circular route of the Vallée des Colons, city centre

Departure from the Nouméa market car park, accessible by public transport or car. Feel free to take the opportunity to visit the market (6am-12pm, except Mondays) before starting the walk.

(S/E) Head to Rue Georges Clémenceau and turn left. Cross at the pedestrian crossing towards the car park, then first turn left then right to enter Rue Eugène Porcheron.

(1) Pass the entrance to the Museum of New Caledonia (closed for renovation in 2026) on the right-hand side of the street. Continue straight ahead until you reach Rue du Docteur le Scour, turn right and then take the second left, Rue Bichat, uphill. Continue straight ahead until you reach Route du Port Despointes and turn right.

(2) Pass Maison Célières on the left (open to visitors from Wednesday to Saturday). Turn left onto Rue Bougainville, then take the third street on the left, Rue de Bretagne: from this street, there is a beautiful view of the Vallée des Colons and the Magenta district. Take the descent on the right, Rue Paul Leyraud, then once at the end, turn left onto Rue Taragnat. Continue straight ahead to the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Vallée-des-Colons.

(3) Make a small U-turn and head right to go up Rue du Révérend Père Roman to the start of the path leading to Château Hagen (visits from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

(4) Continue to Rue Auguste Bénébig. Cross it, then turn left and follow it to the junction with Rue Olry. Turn right and follow this street uphill, negotiate the left-hand bend and you will reach a viewpoint overlooking the eastern districts of Nouméa.

(5) Descend the hill, continuing along Rue Olry, which becomes Rue du Pasteur Marcel Ariège. At the bottom, turn left onto Boulevard Vauban, then take the first right onto Rue Condé to reach Maison Higginson (visits from Wednesday to Saturday from 12pm to 5pm, only at certain times of the year).

(6) Turn left onto Rue de Sébastopol, then right onto Rue de l'Alma. Next, take Avenue du Maréchal Foch on the left to reach the Nouméa City Museum and Place des Cocotiers.

(7) Cross the street to walk along Place des Cocotiers and enjoy the shade. Turn right, pass the Fontaine Céleste fountain, then turn diagonally right to reach the intersection of Rue Jean Jaurès and Rue du Général Mangin, near the town hall.

(8) Turn right onto Rue du Général Mangin. Then take the third left onto Avenue Paul Doumer to reach the Second World War Museum (open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.).

(9) Continue straight ahead to the seafront, then continue straight ahead along the quay to the New Caledonia Maritime History Museum (open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

(10) Turn around and head back to the ferry terminal, then turn right and walk along the quays.

(11) Pass the tourist office, continue further to the left to get closer to Rue Jules Ferry and turn right to follow it until the junction with Rue Anatole France.

(12) Cross at the pedestrian crossing to follow Rue Anatole France. Pass the first two streets on your right and turn right into the third, Rue d'Austerlitz, which passes through the local Chinatown and leads to Rue Jules Ferry. Cross the road, then make the first turn left then right to return to the Nouméa market and the car park (S/E).

There is not much shade along the route, so bring a cap/hat, sunglasses and plenty of water.

Obey traffic signs and cross at pedestrian crossings.

Nouméa Market, numerous shops, Place des Cocotiers, New Caledonia Museum, Maritime Museum, Nouméa City Museum, Hagen Castle, Celière & Higginson Houses, Tourist Office and Ferry Terminal.