Flavours and culture of French Polynesia

6 experiences in the heart of the Pacific

French Polynesia may be famous for its breathtaking scenery, but it also has other assets that make it more than just a paradise for the eyes. A cultural melting pot in five acts to savour before, during and after your trip.

Delight in nectars from the corners of the globe

On a motu, just a short boat ride from the village of Avatoru and lost in the middle of Rangiroa lagoon, is French Polynesia’s only vineyard (six hectares), offering the chance to taste some surprising white and rosé nectars. The minerality along with the citrus and exotic fruit notes mark the unique identity of these tropical wines. It’s a unique experience that can be extended to the sipping of a glass of Mana’o Rangiroa, an organic white rum made from sugar cane grown on the island.

• Rangiroa or Ra’iroa means “big sky”.
• Largest lagoon in Polynesia: extends over 1640 km². 
• Outcrops of reefs, made jagged by erosion. A unique landscape.
• A must for seabed enthusiasts

Enjoy a vanilla mahi-mahi

Not very appealing, with its broad forehead and protruding jaw? The mahi-mahi, a dolphinfish that can grow up to two metres long and weigh around fifty kilos, is not a very attractive fish… but is a real treat for anglers… and gourmets alike. It is eaten stewed and accompanied by a vanilla sauce, local, of course. 

Another tasty experience is the fāfaru, a dish often created for celebrations and special occasions in French Polynesia. The recipe? A mixture of raw fish – usually tuna – and local spices which are then macerated in a seawater-based preparation with freshwater prawns. Delicious, especially when enhanced with coconut milk.

Feel the dance

Once banned by missionaries before making a comeback in the second half of the 20th century, Tahitian dances are as admired as they are moving. To the rhythm of local percussion, the most famous of these, the Tamure, translates the words of the traditional songs that accompany the dancers with arm movements. Every July, in Papeete, the Heiva i Tahiti festival celebrates this authentic, vibrant heritage.

Admire ancestral customs

The shimmering patterns and colours of the sarong, originally made from tapa, a plant-based fabric that originates from banyan, uru or wild mulberry bark, makes a colourful souvenir that takes up little space in your luggage.  

In the Austral Islands, at Rimatara, basketry and braiding using pandanus (a tropical plant with long leaves) comes to the fore.  

The long local artistic traditions of sculpture and engraving also hold a special place in the hearts of Polynesians. The hand-crafted works of instruments, symbols of religious rites or representations of the archipelago’s mythology  tell the story of French Polynesia.

Tattoos, eternal inking

Legend has it that the first tattoos were drawn on the sons of the god Ta’aroa, the creator of Polynesian culture. They then taught men to do the same. Both mythical and historical, the art of the tatau continues to be passed down, and is still closely linked to pivotal moments in life, such as the passage from childhood to puberty and marriage.

Pearls, the jewels of the ocean

Finally, how can we not take a look at cultured pearls? Produced by black-lipped oysters in the warm waters of the Tuamotu and Gambier islands, these jewels of perfection are graded by experts according to a system of ratings ranging from Perfect, to A, B, C, then D. They analyse five criteria, these being lustre, surface condition, colour, size and shape.

Photos credits: ©Studio PONANT/Laurence Fischer/Julien Fabro/Etienne Gontier/Sofia Quinones/©RogerPaperno for ©PaulGauguin Cruises; ©iStock

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