A museum at the service of city history
The Museum of the City of Noumea is located in the heart of the city in a building with a great story. Indeed, it was the head office of the first bank established in the territory, then it was the municipality who took up residence in 1880-1975.
Since then, this beautiful colonial mansion aims to trace the history of the City to better understand New Caledonia today. The interior architecture and furniture are very faithful to the 1900s.
To take full advantage of the visit, free audio guides are available in French and English.
An organization distributed by floor
The museum is spread over three levels: the basement (site of the former vault at the time of the bank) focuses on the nickel boom with nickel objects, tools used to extract it and presentation of the different ethnic groups who worked on its extraction.
The First World War is also highlighted at this level with trenches reconstructions decorated with visuals, sounds and a collection of objects that belonged to the era of soldiers, in order to better immerse the visitor in this period.
The floor above traces the discovery of the New Caledonia and its history. We learn more about the construction of the city, the evolution of its population with different flows of immigration in the territory.
Finally, the final level is reserved to World War II and the American presence in the territory, which was an important phase of the history of the country.
Temporary exhibitions also share the premises.
At the end of the visit, the beautiful gardens of the Museum of the City behind the veranda invite you to stroll among its large palm trees and endemic plants from the 1900s.
A journey through time very successful and accessible to all.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Address: Coconut trees square, 39 rue Jean Jaures
Phone: +687 26 28 05
Timetable: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm on Saturday
Price: 200 XPF/ adult and free for children under 12