Explore New Caledonia’s Finest Museums | New Caledonia Tourism: The official website for tourism in New Caledonia

Top 9 museums to visit

A painting by La Pérouse on display at the Musée Maritime de Nouvelle-Calédonie

Museum of New Caledonia (MUZ)

in Nouméa

The fully renovated Musée de la Nouvelle-Calédonie will reopen in 2024. This museum houses one of the world’s finest collections of Kanak art, representing decades of accumulation. Additionally, it features a remarkable collection of Oceanic artefacts, offering a glimpse into the cultural wealth of the South Pacific, from West Papua to Eastern Polynesia.

Tjibaou Cultural Centre

in Nouméa

A must-visit for those eager to grasp the customs and traditions of the Kanak tribes, this magnificent centre combines an art centre, a museum, performance spaces, a media library, and a charming park within the backdrop of a mangrove swamp. Amidst columnar pines and renowned architect Renzo Piano’s monumental huts, the centre unravels the beauty of Melanesian culture.

City Museum of Nouméa

Festival of Light at the Musée de la Ville, Nouméa

Housed in a historic building constructed in 1874, which once served as New Caledonia’s first bank, this museum is an opportunity to reconnect with the history of New Caledonia and the city of Nouméa. Explore its permanent exhibitions, which delve into life from 1890 to 1910 and the war years, while its botanical garden at the rear showcases Nouméa’s 1900s garden essences.

Not to be missed: Every year, the town’s museum lights up throughout December during the lights festival (Fête de la Lumière).

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World War II Museum

in Nouméa

Housed in a historic building constructed in 1874, which once served as New Caledonia’s first bank, this museum is an opportunity to reconnect with the history of New Caledonia and the city of Nouméa. Explore its permanent exhibitions, which delve into life from 1890 to 1910 and the war years, while its botanical garden at the rear showcases Nouméa’s 1900s garden essences. An animated, offbeat tour offers an unusual way to discover the site during the night of the museum (Nuit des Musées) in May.

Maritime Museum

in Nouméa

With a strong focus on ocean exploration and New Caledonia’s maritime history, this museum offers a voyage into the rich maritime heritage of the region. Discover the extraordinary collection from the La Pérouse expedition and over 2,000 archaeological objects from New Caledonian shipwrecks.

And don’t forget: the Maritime Museum offers regular events for children.

Mining Museum

of Thio

Welcoming you with the remains of an antique steam locomotive, this museum provides insights into New Caledonia’s mining history. Explore the birth of Thio village, the trades at the mine, and the mechanisation of nickel mining through historical photos and exhibited objects. The museum also offers guided tours of the mine monthly.

Every month, the museum organises a guided tour of the mine. Places are limited, so book early!

The Mining Museum in Thio, New Caledonia.

Exhibition at the Musée de la Mine in Thio

Coffee Ecomuseum

in Voh

Located in the heart of Voh, this ecomuseum narrates the history of the region, once a coffee-growing hub in the early 20th century. Housed in historic buildings, it offers more than just a visit, fostering exchange and interaction. Enjoy temporary exhibitions, Arabica tastings, and a store offering locally roasted beans.

Bourail Museum

Situated in a historic stone building at the entrance of the village, this museum explores the history of the Bourail-La Foa region. It covers various eras, from petroglyphs to World War II, delving into the traditions of the Orôwé and Neku tribes and life in the agricultural penitentiary. The museum offers a moving immersion to understand the history of the settlement of the Bourail-La Foa region. On-site creative workshops (basketry, painting, pottery) are a regular feature of their programme.

Fort Teremba Museum

in Moindou

A vestige of the late 19th-century penal colonisation, Fort Teremba is a place steeped in history. The main building houses an open-air museum that serves as a reminder of New Caledonia’s penal colony and colonisation. On the first floor of the fortress, large panels detail the historical facts and daily life depictions. The tour continues on the ground floor with the story of the renovation of the prison’s historic buildings. Outside, in the former prison, films and animations retrace the revolt of 1878. A highlight of the fort’s life is the ‘Sounds and Lights’ show, held every year in June.