Marquesas, the Tuamotus and Society Islands

Join Le Paul Gaugiun this afternoon and set sail this evening.

Listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Fakarava’s coral ellipsis is a narrow stretch of land sitting on a crystal-clear sea. Travellers here are surprised by the size of the lagoon and its spectacular colour palette. The atoll, renowned for its immaculate beaches and preserved nature, is home to rare bird species, plants and crustaceans. You’ll disembark in a zodiac and berth in front of the Veke Veke guesthouse, where you will be welcomed with garlands of flowers and traditional music. You will then be able to go for a walk along the beach or put on flippers, mask and snorkel to make the most of the warm waters of Fakarava and observe its brightly coloured coral.

Your ship will take you to Omoa, a peaceful fishing village far from civilisation, nestling in a magnificent bay on the island of Fatu Hiva. In the valley, you will be able to spot some tohua, former sacred sites, as well as the many burial caves lost in the island’s abundant tropical forest. During your port of call, you’ll discover the Maison Grelet, a museum that houses remarkable wooden sculptures and local works of art. Right in front of you, the village’s artisans will demonstrate how they make tapa, a bark cloth obtained through the technique of beating layers of wood, and explain the manufacturing processes of umu hei, a bouquet garni made from a delicious mix of fragrances.

You’ll immediately understand why this remote and unusual chain of islands bathing in the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific Ocean inspired Jacques Brel’s final album. During your cruise, we will stop at Hiva Oa, considered to be the “garden of the Marquesas Islands.” A special kind of power and charm emanate from its craggy skyline and black sand beaches. This port of call will provide you with an opportunity to visit the small village of Atuona, home to the tombs of Jacques Brel and Paul Gauguin, as well as a cultural centre devoted to the memory of the famous French painter.

Located on Tahuata, the smallest of the inhabited Marquesas Islands, the village of Hapatoni will open its doors to you. A road built in old stones will lead you from the seashore to the village cathedral. You will also find a craft centre presenting various sculptures and engravings in bone or wood. Marquesan art is, in fact, recognised all over French Polynesia. Further on, vegetation takes over, inviting you to walk among its beautiful green valleys. Here, the population will give you a proper welcome with traditional singing and dancing. A moment of conviviality you’ll remember!

Taiohae Bay welcomes you in a sumptuous setting. Your ship will drop anchor a few kilometres from the black sandy beaches, nestled between majestic valleys. You will find yourself in the middle of the main village on the island of Nuku Hiva. You can follow the footpaths on foot or in an all-terrain vehicle. From the top of the hill of Mount Muake, a breathtaking panorama allows you to clearly identify the rocky islands that emerge on either side of the bay. Further on, the site of Piki Vehine shows its tikis, sacred statues used for religious practices. In addition, do not miss the Notre Dame des Marquises cathedral, built using stone taken from the 6 Marquesa Islands.

Located less than 200 kilometres north-west of Tahiti, Huahine Island is a secret gem in French Polynesia. You’ll love the mysterious atmosphere, wild vegetation and stunning remote creeks. Exploring La Grande Huahine to the north and La Petite Huahine to the south will reveal some of the island’s hidden treasures, as well as some archaeological remains from the Polynesian past. You can also meet the local population in the main town of Fare or in the string of villages along the coast.

A paradisiacal atoll of the archipelago of the Leeward Islands, west of French Polynesia, Bora Bora offers a natural spectacle of captivating beauty. You’ll be won over by the white sandy beaches and its famous lagoon, one of the most beautiful in the world, where colourful fish frolic in waters of incomparable turquoise. The island is covered with tropical vegetation and dominated by the majestic outline of Mount Otemanu. A promenade through this volcanic landscape will take you to a number of villages and allow you to meet the locals.

Feet in the sand on the islet of Motu Mahana, our sumptuous little private paradise, you will share a very special experience around an authentic traditional Polynesian barbecue. A veritable jewel in the Taha’a lagoon, pristine atoll of the Society Islands, Motu Mahana offers an infinite palette of shades of turquoise, an idyllic backdrop for observing the majestic ballet of the tropical fish. The volcanic island of Taha’a, dominated by Mount Ohiri and Mount Puurauti, will reveal its fertile and luxuriant nature, ideal for cultivating the magnificent black pearls of French Polynesia, as well as vanilla. This rare spice, greatly in demand by gourmets, is the main economic resource of what is also known as Vanilla Island.

Early this morning we sail to Moorea Island, just to the west of Tahiti. Bask on its heavenly beaches, enjoy a dip in the turquoise waters of its lagoon, and soak up its luscious vegetation and the heady flowers that carpet the inland areas. Get the most out of this natural gem with a trip to the Moorea Belvedere. Exceptional views of Mount Rotui unfurl before your eyes, with the Opunohu Bay and its valley to the left, and the famous Cook's Bay, surrounded by notched, cathedral-style peaks, to the right. This evening we arrive in Papeete, capital of French Polynesia. You’ll find a relaxed atmosphere where urban buzz combines with the laid-back Polynesian lifestyle, and it isn’t lacking in culture, either. You can enjoy sites narrating the history of the archipelago, including the colonial cathedral and the Maison de la Reine Marau. The Vaipahi public gardens will win you over by their abundant plant-life. The large municipal market offers local specialities: fresh fruit, spices and all kinds of fish abound on their stalls.

Disembark Le Paul Gauguin today.