| Ouvéa | |
 | |
| State | France |
|---|---|
| Region | Loyalty Islands |
| Surface | 132 km² |
| Inhabitants | 3 392 (2009) |
Ouvéa is one of the Loyalty Islands, in the department French overseas of New Caledonia.
To know
Between Loyalty Islands Ouvéa is the one that best corresponds to the idea that we all have of an island in the tropics: a white beach extends over the entire arc of the west coast bordered behind it by dense vegetation. The beaches follow one another for 25 km and overlook the calm and crystalline waters of a lugana separated from the ocean by a cordon of reefs and coral islets. On the contrary, the east coast is higher and more rocky but not without beauty. Ouvéa is therefore worthy of appearing in the most classic of postcards sent from the Tropics.
Ouvéa is a thin crescent-shaped island consisting of two masses of land to the north and south joined together by a long isthmus whose minimum width does not exceed 45 meters. It is surrounded by two trails of islets called "les Pléïades" which extend westwards from its north and south ends.
This beautiful island was the scene of a tragic event on 5 May 1988. On that date the French gendarmes broke into the Gossanah cave where 16 of their colleagues were held hostage by the Kanak fighters of the National Liberation Front (FLNKS). The action resulted in the death of 6 militants from the front.
Spoken languages
In Ouvéa, two distinct languages are spoken in addition to French:
- Faga-uvea - A language Polynesian related to those of Wallis-and-Futuna. It is widespread in the north of the island where Polynesian people settled in the course of the 18th century.
- Iaai - The language of the Kanak native to the place.
Territories and tourist destinations
Ouvéa: full screen map.Urban centers
- Fayaoué - The island's capital, Fayaoué is located in the south of Ouvéa.
- Lekiny - In the extreme south of Ouvéa near the famous cliffs in the bay of the same name that welcomes the islet of Fayawa.
- Saint Joseph - Northern village near deep natural sinkholes.
- Wadrilla - Another village near the capital.
Other destinations
- Island of Mouli - connected to Ouvéa by a bridge, the tiny island of Mouli boasts beautiful beaches and sea caves on a heavily weathered coastline.
How to get
How to get around
What see
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
High prices
- HOTEL PARADIS D'OUVEA (Near the Mouli bridge). Under Japanese management, the Paradis hotel was designed by an exponent of haute couture. Accommodation is in bungalows on a magnificent white sand beach.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
Itineraries
From north to south the following inhabited centers meet: Saint Joseph, Wadrilla, Fayaoué and Lekiny.
