Coconut Square, Noumea (must see)
Coconut Square is where Noum茅a鈥檚 past and present meet in a wide open sweep of greenery and architecture. The idea first took shape in 1861, when engineer Paul Coffyn transformed what was once the shoreline into a landscaped esplanade. At the time it was called the Marine Infantry Garden, but the rows of coconut palms planted here quickly earned it the more memorable nickname that has lasted to this day.
The square isn鈥檛 a single open field but a collection of smaller squares, each with its own rhythm. Feillet Square centers on a colonial-era bandstand, still ornate since its installation in 1883. Courbet Square, shaded by groves, doubles as a gathering place for locals playing p茅tanque. Marne Square brings the bustle of markets and public events, while Peace Square offers a quieter corner marked by a symbolic statue recalling New Caledonia鈥檚 layered history. The Celestial Fountain, unveiled in 1893 for the 40th anniversary of France鈥檚 annexation, adds another historic accent to the landscape.
Beyond its monuments, Coconut Square lives up to its role as the city鈥檚 front yard. Twice a week between March and December, it hosts markets filled with artisans, crafts, and regional goods. Concerts, cultural festivals, and family activities spill into the space year-round, and during holidays it turns festive with Easter celebrations and the luminous Festival of Lights.
The square isn鈥檛 a single open field but a collection of smaller squares, each with its own rhythm. Feillet Square centers on a colonial-era bandstand, still ornate since its installation in 1883. Courbet Square, shaded by groves, doubles as a gathering place for locals playing p茅tanque. Marne Square brings the bustle of markets and public events, while Peace Square offers a quieter corner marked by a symbolic statue recalling New Caledonia鈥檚 layered history. The Celestial Fountain, unveiled in 1893 for the 40th anniversary of France鈥檚 annexation, adds another historic accent to the landscape.
Beyond its monuments, Coconut Square lives up to its role as the city鈥檚 front yard. Twice a week between March and December, it hosts markets filled with artisans, crafts, and regional goods. Concerts, cultural festivals, and family activities spill into the space year-round, and during holidays it turns festive with Easter celebrations and the luminous Festival of Lights.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Noumea. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Coconut Square on Map
Sight Name: Coconut Square
Sight Location: Noumea, New Caledonia (See walking tours in Noumea)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Noumea, New Caledonia (See walking tours in Noumea)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Noumea, New Caledonia
Create Your Own Walk in Noumea
Creating your own self-guided walk in Noumea is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Noumea Introduction Walking Tour
Noum茅a is often said to resemble a town in southern France. As the capital of New Caledonia, it wears its history in layers鈥擪anak, French, and everything in between. The city鈥檚 name likely comes from a Kanak word, though the precise meaning is lost鈥攎uch like other fragments of the island鈥檚 precolonial past. For centuries, the Kanak people lived here in clan-based communities, shaping a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles