French culture in New Caledonia

New Caledonia was named by the British explorer Captain James Cook, who spotted similarities with the Scottish highlands. Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island was made a French possession in 1853. While the French influence is strong, the Kanaks have retained much of their culture and tradition, particularly in rural areas and on the outer islands.

But in Nouméa, French culture is obvious with its colonial architecture, bars, restaurants, cinemas, an excellent library and museum, good bookshops, and radio and television. Nouméa offers a touch of Europe in the South Pacific.

For the French living in New Caledonia, sports tend to be closely related to the sea and include boating, fishing, windsurfing, and swimming or sunbathing at the city beaches of Anse Vata and the Baie de Citron; tennis and cycling are also popular.

The French annexed New Caledonia, with the active support of French Catholic missionaries who had been there since 1843. From 1864 to 1897, the French transported over 30,000 convicts to the island. But as the European population burgeoned, tensions - often over the loss of land - rose between the newcomers and the indigenous Melanesians, (Kanaks). A Kanak revolt in 1878 claimed more than a thousand lives and heralded further repression by the territory's French rulers.

Kanaks represent about 45% of the population. Most Europeans were born in the territory and they account for about a third of the inhabitants.

Images are under copyright ©. It is illegal to copy or use the images without permission.
All images can be purchased for commercial and non-commercial use.