French Polynesia capital. Polynesia French

On the world map Map

September 5-7, 13-16, 2011

Many people come here to sunbathe, watch the sunset while having a wonderful dinner. Let's not disturb them.

Many people come here to lie on the beach, enjoy some fine dining and watch the sunset. We won't disturb them.

Locals prefer fermented fish sauce.

The locals prefer fermented fish sauce.

Tahiti

On the world map Map

Trash can at the airport.

A trash can at the airport.

Urns all over the island.

Trash cans around the island.

Trash can mom and trash can daughter.

A mother-and-daughter dumpster pair.

A large roadside trash container that looks like the head of a stupid transformer.

A large roadside dumpster, which looks like the head of a dim-witted Transformer.

Architecture.

Shy graffiti. The walls are painted with such naive drawings with a thin marker, like in school notebooks.

Some timid graffiti. The naïve wall drawings in thin marker look like something you’d see in a school notebook.

All buses (a school bus in the picture) are decorated with ornaments around the perimeter.

All the buses (the one in the photo is a school bus) are decorated with ornaments around the perimeter.

A depressed ornament on a concrete flowerbed-fence.

A recessed ornament on a concrete flowerbed/fence.

And the lampposts are decorated with ornaments, only in volume.

The lampposts are also decorated with ornaments, only relief ones.

Traffic light.

A traffic light.

Almost all city objects are protected by metal pipes from accidentally crashing cars. The lamppost is protected.

Almost all municipal objects have metal pipe barriers to protect them from accidental car collisions. The lamppost is protected.

People here like to decorate the pillars with a palm branch tied around the trunk in a braid. The electrical cabinet is protected.

People here like to decorate poles by braiding palm leaves around them. The little electrical box is protected.

The hydrant is protected.

The fire hydrant is protected.

Manhole cover.

A manhole cover.

New payphones in the roots.

New payphones amidst the roots.

Old payphone.

An old payphone.

Road signs. The sign of the 3rd zone of Papeete (the capital of Tahiti) is decorated with two gardenia buds, which cannot be hidden from the island. They are given out on planes, at airports, in hotels, etc. They are a local symbol, like orchid beads in Hawaii.

Traffic signs. The sign for Zone 3 in Papeete (the capital of Tahiti) is embellished with two gardenia buds. Gardenias follow you everywhere around the island—they’re handed out on the plane, at the airport, in hotels, and so on. It’s the local symbol, sort of like the lei (orchid garland) in Hawaii.

One of the best ways to get an idea of the road signs in the country is to look at driving school advertisements. As you can see, there is nothing special here.

One of the best ways to get an idea of what traffic signs in any given country look like is to glance at a driving school ad. As we can see, there’s nothing particularly special here.

You can travel around the perimeter of the island in a couple of hours. There's nothing special there.

It only takes a couple of hours to drive around the perimeter of the island. There’s nothing particularly special there.

Except for our old friend - the kilometer pole with a red top, a sign of French colonial influence (as in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, Tunisia).

Unless you count our old friend—the kilometer marker with a red top, a sign of French colonial influence (like in Laos, Vietnam, as well as Cambodia, Tunisia).

The only unusual detail in French Polynesia is the markings (solid with four squares periodically appearing on the right and left), allowing overtaking of slow-moving vehicles in an area where overtaking is prohibited.

There’s only one unusual detail in French Polynesia: traffic lane markings (solid lines with occasional sets of four squares on the right and left) which allow passing slow vehicles on sections of the road where passing is otherwise forbidden.

Regular mailbox.

A regular post box.

A rare model with the logo of the local post office and the initials of the Republic of France.

A rare model with the logo of the local post and the initials of the French Republic.

A very rare model - for unrealistic volumes of mail.

An extremely rare model—for monstrous volumes of mail.

Showcase of a cafe for locals.

The window display of a café for locals.

Street trade of pre-cut watermelons and melons.

A street stand with sliced watermelons and melons for sale.

Moorea

This is an island across the road from Tahiti. A ferry with unwashed windows takes half an hour to get there.

Moorea is this island across the street from Tahiti. A ferry with dirty windows will get you there in half an hour.

Many people come here to swim.

Many take the ferry here to go swimming.

Many people are swimming.

Many people swim.

Or ride on typical Polynesian boats.

Or paddle around in traditional Polynesian boats.

Or sit in thatched bungalows overlooking the water.

Or sit in bungalows with straw roofs, looking out on the water.

The hydrant two meters from the ocean looks interesting. Like, if there is a fire, you can’t put it out with salt water, or what?

The fire hydrant located two meters away from the ocean is amusing. What, they can’t use the salt water if they need to put out a fire?

In one place they painted a bike path.

There’s a bike path on one of the roads.

The sign reports the number of dead and wounded.

A sign informs you how many people died and were injured this year.

Concrete signs in the shape of an island are placed around the island. Unfortunately, they didn’t think of depicting where the sign was installed.

Concrete signs in the shape of the island can be found all around the island. Too bad no one thought of putting a “You Are Here” indicator on each of them.

Eggs in packages of two and three dozen are sold wrapped in film.

Eggs are sold in packs of 20 or 30, wrapped in cellophane.

Vegetables are signed directly on the peel.

Vegetable prices are marked right on their skin.

There is nothing interesting on the island.

There’s nothing interesting on the island.

Well, except for the cabinets with electric meters standing by the road in front of every house. Although it’s not worth going here for them alone. Such a village is on the outskirts of French Polynesia. Luggage is taken out at the airport and placed on a special inclined wooden two-story table.

A backwater village on the outskirts of French Polynesia. Passengers’ luggage is carried into the airport and placed on a special two-tier slanted wooden table.

The dog is dozing in a telephone booth.

A dog sleeps inside a phone booth.

Schoolchildren rush home with fresh French rolls.

Schoolchildren rush home with fresh-baked French baguettes.

At anchor is the cargo and passenger ship Claymore II, which should take me to Pitcairn Island. Nothing else in the world would have forced me to be here.

This is where I’m supposed to board the MV Claymore II, which will take me to Pitcairn Island. There's no earthly reason I would end up here otherwise.

For passengers on the ship, cabins without portholes or ventilation. Passengers have at their disposal a towel that has not been washed since the ship was laid down at the shipyard. It smells so bad that if you wipe it off with it, you will never be able to wash it off with anything. A round-trip ticket for Claymore II costs approximately four thousand dollars.

The ship's passenger cabins have no portholes or ventilation. Each passenger is provided with a towel which looks like it hasn’t been washed since the ship’s maiden voyage. The smell coming from the towel is so bad that, were you to use it, no amount of soap would be able to wash it off ever again. A round-trip voyage aboard the Claymore II costs approximately four thousand dollars.

French Polynesia is a paradisiacal overseas territory of a sophisticated metropolis. The exotic nature here is complemented by European chic: holidays on the islands offer excellent hotels and the best diving in the world. Tahiti, Bora Bora and Tuamotu - all about French Polynesia: photos, tours and prices.

Last minute tours to French Polynesia
Tours for May Worldwide

French Polynesia is 118 islands, very different in relief and nature, offering VIP beach holidays to wealthy travelers from overseas. And French Polynesia is an almost complete collection of advertising cliches from tourist brochures. “Endless white beaches?” In stock. “Crystal clear coastal waters?” But of course! “Motley schools of tropical fish?” Where would we be without them, dear ones? “Lush tropical greenery?” Well, you understand.

The coolest thing is that all of the above is true. Of course, there are some drawbacks, which include hefty prices for tours, as well as long-distance connecting flights, which can turn into a trip in itself.

The main resorts of French Polynesia

Time difference from Moscow

− 12 hours

with Kaliningrad

with Samara

with Yekaterinburg

with Omsk

with Krasnoyarsk

with Irkutsk

with Yakutsk

with Vladivostok

from Severo-Kurilsk

with Kamchatka

French Polynesia is 118 islands, very different in relief and nature, offering VIP beach holidays to wealthy travelers from overseas.

How to get there

The most popular, shortest and also visa-free option (but more expensive than flights of other airlines) is the Moscow - Tokyo flight of Aeroflot or JAL (on Mondays) plus a connecting flight of Air Tahiti Nui Tokyo - Tahiti (3 times a week ) with an overnight stay in Tokyo. A Japanese visa is not required if you stay in the country for up to 72 hours.

Less popular (due to the need to obtain an American visa), but relatively inexpensive flight with Air France Moscow - Paris - Los Angeles - Tahiti (Papeete). On the way back there will be a stopover for at least one night in Paris (it is inevitable when flying with Air France; if desired, the period of stay in Paris can be extended), so you will also need a French transit visa. Flight time is more than a day. Flights operate three times a week.

Delta Airlines flight Moscow - New York plus connecting flight Air Tahiti Nui New York - Tahiti: an American visa is also required. Duration: 24-26 hours excluding connections.

Tourists, crazed from a long flight, will be greeted at the arrival airport with fragrant tiare flowers twisted into necklaces.

Search for flights to French Polynesia

Visa to French Polynesia

Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo

The population of French Polynesia as of 2009 is 287,032 people. Urban population: 52% of the total population.

Ethnic composition: Polynesians 78%, Chinese 12%, local French (mainly French-Polynesian mestizos) 6%, French (from the metropolis) 4%.

Protestants 54%, Catholics 30%, others 10%, atheists 6%.

The official language is French (61.3%), the indigenous population speaks Polynesian languages. The languages taught in schools are French and Tahitian (31.4%). English is understood in all hotels and most restaurants.

Currency

French Pacific franc (CFP), 1 EUR ≅ 130 CFP.

The following coins are in circulation: 1 franc, 2 francs, 5 francs, 10 francs, 20 francs, 50 francs, 100 francs. Banknotes in denominations: 500 francs, 1000 francs, 5000 francs, 10000 francs.

Banks are open from 7:45 to 15:30 from Monday to Friday, some are also open on Saturday mornings.

US dollars and euros are accepted for payment almost everywhere, but the exchange rate is different everywhere. Currency can be exchanged at the airport, at a bank or in hotels. It is most profitable to have euros with you, which are exchanged at the official rate in all hotels and exchange offices. Dollars are often accepted at a rate that is not the most favorable.

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa credit cards are accepted for payment in hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist establishments. ATMs are widespread in Tahiti and other large islands, but in the periphery they can only be found at bank offices. On small atolls it is almost impossible to use credit cards. Operating instructions at ATMs are usually given in French and English.

Travel checks are accepted for payment at most banks and large organizations. Traveler's checks are often recommended as the best means of bringing foreign currency into the country. To avoid additional conversion fees, it is recommended to use checks in US dollars or euros.

Communications

Calling code: 689

Internet domain: .pf

Single emergency phone number: 15 or 423-456

Police: 17

Communication between local settlements is carried out directly, without the use of codes, using uniform six- or eight-digit numbers.

How to call

To call from Russia to French Polynesia, you need to dial: 8 - 10 beeps - 689 - subscriber number.

To call from French Polynesia to Russia, you need to dial: 00 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

Landline communications

French Polynesia has a powerful and modern telecommunications system. Direct calls to any country in the world are possible from almost anywhere, from local hotel numbers to street pay phones. Telephone booths operate using cards ("telecarte"), which can be purchased at post offices, hotels and shops.

mobile connection

GSM 900 cellular communications on the islands are excellent. The main islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Tahaa, Raiatea, Huahine and Rangiroa) are fully covered, small islands are often outside the coverage area, but even there the connection is relatively stable thanks to powerful central repeaters. Roaming with the local Tikiphone SA network is available to subscribers of the largest Russian operators. Local SIM cards can be purchased from Tikiphone SA offices, but it is recommended to check the card directly on your phone before purchasing as some GSM phones are not supported by local operators.

Internet

The Internet is developing quite intensively in French Polynesia. There are a large number of Internet cafes located in Papeete and the main towns of the islands. However, communication is quite slow and expensive.

Shopping

Shops are open from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 17.00-17.30. Private shops and shops in the suburbs are usually open until 22.00. On Saturdays, large stores close at 11.00.

From French Polynesia they usually bring “monoi” (a special oil to strengthen the tan and soften the skin), crafts made from shells, mother-of-pearl, and fruit liqueurs. And, of course, black pearls are used in jewelry and valuable trinkets.

Local craft products are popular among other souvenirs. The Polynesian culture is broad and varied. On different islands, various ritual, military and household items were produced from wood, stone, bone, etc. Items of utensils, jewelry, key rings and other trinkets made of mother-of-pearl, wood, stone or bone will be offered to you in souvenir shops. One of the favorite motifs of the natives is the sea turtle.

Accommodation

Hotels on the islands of French Polynesia are mostly four to five star. These are real “stars”, without deception and even with more luxury than provided by the European standard, this applies to both the service and the rooms. Usually these are bungalows, some of which are located on the shore, and some on platforms extending into the sea.

Most hotels in French Polynesia have two tariff periods: high: from 1 July (June) to 31 October; low from November 1 to June 30 (May).

Sea and beaches

The places here are not just beachy, but also exclusive in all respects of the resort. Long beaches of white soft sand, turquoise lagoons surrounded by thickets of exotic plants. Moreover, all beaches are considered public, and access to them is completely free.

Story

Polynesians began to settle on the islands of what is now French Polynesia in the first centuries AD. e. Presumably, the migration occurred from the Samoan Islands. The Marquesas and Society Islands were settled first. From the Society Islands, Polynesians at the end of the 1st or beginning of the 2nd millennium AD. e. migrated to the Tuamotu and Tubuai islands.

By the time Europeans appeared on the islands, among the population of what is now French Polynesia, the most developed in socio-economic terms were the people inhabiting the island of Tahiti - an early class state arose there at the beginning of the 19th century.

The first island discovered by Europeans was Puka Puka in the Tuamotu archipelago (Magellan, 1521). The Marquesas Islands were discovered in 1595 by Mendaña, Tahiti in 1606 by Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, Tubuai in 1777 by James Cook, and Gambier in 1797 by Wilson.

In 1842, France took under its protectorate the island of Tahiti, the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Tubuai Islands and the Marquesas Islands.

Since 1880, the status of protectorates was abolished and colonial status was introduced. The power of the Pomare dynasty was destroyed.

In 1946, French Polynesia received the status of an overseas territory of France. All natives of the islands became French citizens.

Since 2004, it received the status of an overseas community.

Many islands of French Polynesia bear second, Russian names: Rurik, Lazarev, Kruzenshtern, Raevsky and others. The Tuamotu archipelago itself has a second name - the Russian Islands. These islands were discovered and described by Russian navigators - F.F. Bellingshausen, M.P. Lazarev, O.E. Kotzebue.

The rituals in French Polynesia are incredibly beautiful. One of the most beautiful rituals is the wedding ceremony. The groom arrives in a canoe, and the bride meets him on the shore. Musical instruments are playing, the shore is decorated with flowers. The bride and groom are then wrapped in a wedding towel and given palm leaves as a marriage certificate. After the holiday in honor of the newlyweds, they get into a canoe and sail away to a neighboring island.

The culture of French Polynesia has largely lost its identity. The island of Tahiti, especially the capital Papeete, is the most Europeanized. The houses in this city are predominantly of a European style, and the clothes of the townspeople are also of a European style.

The tradition has been preserved more in the construction of dwellings on the Tuamotu archipelago and other islands on the periphery of French Polynesia - there you can still find huts whose walls and roofs are made of palm leaves. However, traditional clothes are no longer worn there either.

Traditions in food preparation methods hold tighter. In particular, the aborigines still eat fish and shrimp raw (though they are pre-soaked in lemon juice). Many islanders still stew roast meat in earthen ovens, where hot stones create a high temperature.

When visiting the islands, it is worth bringing shoes with reliable soles: many reef areas have sharp pebbles, and the coastal zone is home to prickly marine animals. It is better to enter the water in plastic slippers to avoid cuts and burns from the corals. There are no poisonous animals or insects on the islands.

French Polynesia is a very expensive country. There are no taxes on personal income, but indirect taxes and duties are high, and most items and food products are imported from nearby countries, the closest of which are more than one and a half to two thousand kilometers away. Many goods and services cost 2 times higher than, for example, in Australia or 3 times higher than in the nearby Cook Islands.

A characteristic feature that determines the price level in a particular establishment is the designation of its category with dollar signs - an expensive restaurant is indicated by the inscriptions “$$$$”, and an inexpensive budget restaurant - “$”.

The system of weights and measures is metric.

Tap water in hotels and restaurants is safe to drink.

Although tap water is chlorinated, all water should be considered potentially unfit for consumption, especially during the first days of your stay on the islands. All water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should be boiled first. Milk and dairy products are usually pasteurized and are safe for consumption. Meat, seafood and fish are considered safe, but it is still recommended to consume them only after preliminary heat treatment, preferably hot. Vegetables must be thoroughly washed and pre-processed, and fruits must be peeled.

Most islands do not have any dangerous animals. Mosquitoes and sand flies are found on some atolls, but their bites are relatively harmless. The lagoons are home to several species of sharks, as well as rays, moray eels, barracudas, sea urchins and other relatively dangerous animals. On the outer side of the reefs, the fauna is more aggressive, but throughout the entire 20th century, not a single case of shark attack on people was recorded in French Polynesia.

Since the climate is very hot and solar radiation is aggressive, it is necessary to take certain measures against solar radiation, heat damage and dehydration.

Nuclear weapons tests have been conducted on the atolls of Mururoa and Fangataufa for almost 40 years. The French government recommends against visiting these areas. However, ships simply do not go to those areas, and it will be difficult to rent a plane.

How to get there

There are no direct flights between Russia and French Polynesia.

The most popular, shortest and also visa-free option (but more expensive than flights of other airlines) is the Moscow - Tokyo flight of Aeroflot or JAL airlines plus a connecting flight of Air Tahiti Nui Tokyo - Tahiti with an overnight stay in Tokyo. A Japanese visa is not required if you stay in the country for up to 72 hours.

Flight Moscow - New York on Delta Airlines + connecting flight Air Tahiti Nui New York - Tahiti: an American visa is also required. Duration: 24-26 hours excluding connections.

You can also reach French Polynesia via Australia (Sydney) with Air Tahiti Nui or New Zealand (Auckland) with Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui.

French Polynesia is one of those rare exotic countries that only the most seasoned travelers visit. The reason for this is the country’s remoteness from civilization, as well as the high price level due to high-quality service and services. French Polynesia is often mistakenly called Tahiti after the name of its largest island. French Polynesia will surprise everyone with its unique wild beauty of tropical nature, combined with developed infrastructure and some of the best hotels and restaurants in the world. Elite recreation is what you will find here.

Geography of French Polynesia

French Polynesia, with an area of just 4,167 km², is administered by France, is located in the center of the Pacific Ocean and consists of more than 130 islands. In the north, east and south it borders with neutral Pacific waters, in the northwest with Kiribati, in the west with the maritime zone of the Cook Islands, in the southeast with the maritime zone of Pitcairn. The country includes archipelagos such as the Marquesas Islands, Tuamotu Islands, Society Islands, Tubuai Islands, and the Gambier Islands. The highest point in French Polynesia is Mount Orohena on the island of Tahiti (the largest island in French Polynesia) with a height of 2241 meters.

The area of French Polynesia is 4167 km. sq.

Population

The national currency is the French Pacific franc.

Official language – French

Visa to French Polynesia

French Polynesia has a special visa regime; a standard Schengen visa for traveling to France is not suitable for traveling here. Citizens of the Russian Federation will need to apply for a special visa from the Department of French Overseas Territories at the French Embassy called a “visa for travel to French overseas territories”.

Weather in French Polynesia

The islands of French Polynesia are characterized by a tropical, trade wind climate, but in the northern part of the country a subequatorial climate predominates, and in the south a subtropical climate prevails. French Polynesia, like other tropical countries, is characterized by the presence of only two seasons: wet and hot, as well as dry and cool. The wet period lasts from November to May, characterized by temperatures of 27 - 32 °C and 92% humidity. At this time, heavy downpours, hurricanes and storms are common on the islands, the peak of which occurs in January. The dry season from June to October brings temperatures down to 18 - 21 °C. The average annual temperature is 22-26 °C. Throughout the year, French Polynesia is perfect for relaxation; precipitation here is not prolonged and short-term, and the heat is easily tolerated due to the constant sea breeze.

Sights of French Polynesia

It is quite difficult to single out specific attractions in French Polynesia, since the entire country with all 130 more unique islands is such. The center of cultural and social life in French Polynesia is the capital, the city of Papeete on the island of Tahiti. This is the most developed and Europeanized city in the country. There is noisy traffic, shops, restaurants, vibrant markets and banks. In Papeete there is the central cultural square To'ata, the Pearl Museum, the Vaima Center shopping area, Bruat Avenue with all government institutions and Tarahoi Square with the statue of Pouwanaa Oopa. Also worth a visit are the Harrison Smith Botanical Garden, the Museum of Tahiti and Other Islands, and the Mataoa Garden , Ocean Museum "Lagunarium", Pearl Museum, Musée du Couquilage, Pearl Center "Taiti Pearl Center" with an incredible collection of rare black pearls. Despite its modest size, the most famous place in the capital among tourists is the Gauguin Museum. Otherwise, French Polynesia is an incredible, pure, untouched nature. Like the world-famous islands of Bora Bora, the volcanic island of Moorea impresses with its beauty and is one of the most picturesque in the world. By the way, this place is also important from a historical point of view; it was here that Captain Cook first landed on the lands of French Polynesia. Tetiaroa is the only coral island among its neighbors, also known as Marlon Brando Island after its former owner. The most ancient archaeological center of French Polynesia is located on the island of Hua Hin, where the remains of the ancient Maui civilization, dating back to 800-900 years, were discovered. n. e. In the group of Leeward Islands, the most interesting to visit are Bora Bora, Tahaa, Raiatea, Huahine, Maupiti and the uninhabited Mopelia, Tupai, Scilly and Bellingshausen Island. In the Marquesas archipelago it is worth visiting Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Pou, Ua Huka and Tauata, in the Tuamotu archipelago - Rangiroa, Tikehau, Manihi and Fakarava.

National cuisine of Tahiti

The cuisine of French Polynesia is a mixture of European and Asian cuisine. The basis, of course, is the freshest seafood, which is prepared here in a wide variety of ways. Many local fish and shellfish do not even have a Russian name, their diversity is so great. Bananas, yams and sage, breadfruit, are also common ingredients in local cuisine. Especially popular dishes in French Polynesia are la tahitienne fish marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk, as well as pork with pasta, Chinese cabbage and beans called chinese ma'a tinito.

Transport

Transport within French Polynesia, as well as ways to get here, is not an easy question, since the country is extremely remote from the rest of the world. The journey here is quite long with one or two transfers and takes more than a day. The most popular routes are Moscow-Tokyo-Tahiti, Moscow-Paris-Los Angeles-Tahiti and Moscow-New York-Tahiti. Please note that a transit visa is required when flying through the USA and France. The main transport within French Polynesia and between its islands is by plane. The country's 35 major islands are connected by a dense route network of the local airline Air Tahiti. The country allows the use of private planes and helicopters, which is often used by VIP tourists. The country also has a public transport system, Le Truck, which is represented mainly by water transport and only a little by land. Some of the islands have roads and buses, but for most it is something incredibly remote. To travel around a particular island, hitchhiking and bicycle/car rental are also common among tourists.

Currency exchange in Tahiti

In French Polynesia, dollars and euros are used; euros are most often accepted at a more favorable rate than dollars. You can exchange other foreign currencies at exchange offices at the airport, banks and hotels, but the rate may vary greatly between them. All tourist establishments such as hotels and restaurants accept bank cards. Banks on the major islands are open Monday to Friday (sometimes Saturday) from 7:45 to 15:30.

Electricity

Mains voltage 220V, frequency 50Hz. Most often in hotels there are French type E sockets with two round pins in the plug and one in the socket, less often - type A with two flat vertical pins.

Religion

More than half of the local residents of French Polynesia, namely 54% of the population, are Protestants, 30% are Catholics, 6% are atheists. The rest adhere to other beliefs, including paganism. Among Protestants there are supporters of the Protestant Evangelical Church, Jehovah's Witnesses and the Assemblies of God.

Safety

The crime rate on the islands of French Polynesia is very low and the country is safe for foreign travelers. The foreigner here is more of a deity than an object for committing a crime. Be that as it may, following simple security measures will not hurt: leave large sums of money, passports and other valuables in the safe. Thefts are rare here, but they do occur.

Health

Despite the exotic location, health care in French Polynesia is excellent; there is no need for special vaccinations before traveling. The tap water here is quite drinkable, and high hygiene measures are observed everywhere. To ensure that your holiday is not overshadowed by anything, take care of sun protection products, and also buy shoes with thick soles, as corals and sea urchins tend to seriously injure inept foreigners. Be careful when eating raw seafood, which is so popular in French Polynesia. An unprepared body can receive an excess of raw protein, resulting in biointoxication.

Russian Consulate in French Polynesia

There is no representation of the Russian Federation in French Polynesia.
Embassy of the Russian Federation in France
40-50, Boulevard Lannes, 75116 Paris
Phone: (8-10-331) 45-04-0550, 45-03-4020, 45-04-4030
Fax: (8-10-331) 45-04-1765
Email: [email protected]

useful links

Search tours

Travel agency

City

Metro

Contact Information

Prices for tours from

French polynesia is an overseas community of France located in the center of the South Pacific Ocean. It is bordered in the west by the waters of the Cook Islands, in the northwest by Kiribati, in the north, east and south by neutral Pacific waters, and in the southeast by the waters of Pitcairn.

Includes the archipelagos: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Austral Islands (Tubuai), and the Gambier Islands, which are located near the Tuamotu, and are actually a separate part of the Tuamotu. The total area is 4 thousand km² (land).

The administrative center is the city of Papeete on the island of Tahiti (the largest island of French Polynesia, 1 thousand km²).

The islands of French Polynesia are either volcanic or coral in origin. Most of the Society and Austral Islands, the Gambier and Marquesas Islands are volcanic; coral atolls form the Tuamotu archipelago and are part of several other island groups.

Volcanic islands are mountainous. The highest point of Tahiti (and all of French Polynesia) - Mount Orohena - rises to 2241 m above sea level. Coral islands usually rise only a few meters above sea level.

The river network is developed only on islands of volcanic origin. The rivers there flow in narrow and deep valleys and are replete with waterfalls. There are small lakes on the islands of Tahiti and Huahine. There are no rivers on the coral islands.

Islands of volcanic origin differ sharply from coral atolls in their vegetation. On the windward slopes of the volcanic islands, from the coast to the mountain tops, dense forests rise, consisting of evergreen trees, interspersed with plantations of coconut palms, bananas and other crops. The leeward slopes are dominated by herbaceous vegetation. The coral islands are covered with thickets of coconut palms.

Climate in French Polynesia

The climate in most of French Polynesia is tropical, trade wind.

The islands are conventionally divided into two seasons - warm and humid (November-May) and cool and dry (June-October). In fact, the difference between them is insignificant; the temperature on any day of the year fluctuates between +20..+30°C.

Average air temperature in Papaete in °C, by month: January +30, February +29, March +29, April +29, May +25, June +24, July +24, August +24, September +25, October + 27, November +28, December +29.

The sun shines very brightly in French Polynesia and there is little rainfall. Rains can range from short-term evening showers to prolonged drizzle lasting up to several days.

There is no sweltering heat here - the cool breeze from the ocean helps you calmly endure the heat.

The islands of French Polynesia are subject to the invasion of tropical cyclones, sometimes of a destructive nature.

Population

The population of French Polynesia as of 2009 is 287,032 people. Urban population: 52% of the total population.

Ethnic composition: Polynesians 78%, Chinese 12%, local French (mainly French-Polynesian mestizos) 6%, French (from the metropolis) 4%.

Protestants 54%, Catholics 30%, others 10%, atheists 6%.

Last changes: 04/28/2013

Currency

French Pacific franc (CFP), 1 EUR ≅ 130 CFP.

The following coins are in circulation: 1 franc, 2 francs, 5 francs, 10 francs, 20 francs, 50 francs, 100 francs. Banknotes in denominations: 500 francs, 1000 francs, 5000 francs, 10000 francs.

Banks are open from 7:45 to 15:30 from Monday to Friday, some are also open on Saturday mornings.

Last changes: 05/01/2010

Communications

Calling code: 689

Internet domain: .pf

Single emergency phone number: 15 or 423-456

Police: 17

Communication between local settlements is carried out directly, without the use of codes, using uniform six- or eight-digit numbers.

How to call

To call from Russia to French Polynesia, you need to dial: 8 - 10 beeps - 689 - subscriber number.

To call from French Polynesia to Russia, you need to dial: 00 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

Landline communications

mobile connection

Internet

Last changes: 05/26/2010

Shopping

Shops are open from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 17.00-17.30. Private shops and shops in the suburbs are usually open until 22.00. On Saturdays, large stores close at 11.00.

Last changes: 05/01/2010

Where to stay

Most hotels in French Polynesia have two tariff periods: high: from 1 July (June) to 31 October; low from November 1 to June 30 (May).

Sea and beaches

Last changes: 09/01/2010

History of French Polynesia

In 1842, France took under its protectorate the island of Tahiti, the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Tubuai Islands and the Marquesas Islands.

Since 1880, the status of protectorates was abolished and colonial status was introduced. The power of the Pomare dynasty was destroyed.

In 1946, French Polynesia received the status of an overseas territory of France. All natives of the islands became French citizens.

Since 2004, it received the status of an overseas community.

Last changes: 04/28/2013

The system of weights and measures is metric.

Tap water in hotels and restaurants is safe to drink.

Since the climate is very hot and solar radiation is aggressive, it is necessary to take certain measures against solar radiation, heat damage and dehydration.

Last changes: 01/20/2013

How to get there

There are no direct flights between Russia and French Polynesia.

The most popular, shortest and also visa-free option (but more expensive than flights from other airlines) is the flight Moscow - Tokyo airlines Aeroflot or JAL plus connecting airline flight Air Tahiti Nui Tokyo - Tahiti with an overnight stay in Tokyo. A Japanese visa is not required if you stay in the country for up to 72 hours.

Less popular (due to the need to obtain a US visa), but relatively inexpensive airline flight Air France Moscow - Paris - Los Angeles - Tahiti (Papeete). On the way back there will be a stopover for at least one night in Paris (it is inevitable when flying with Air France; if desired, the period of stay in Paris can be extended), so you will also need a French transit visa. Flight time is more than a day.

Flight Moscow - New York company Delta Airlines+ connecting flight Air Tahiti Nui New York - Tahiti: an American visa is also required. Duration: 24-26 hours excluding connections.

You can also reach French Polynesia via Australia (Sydney) with the airline Air Tahiti Nui or New Zealand (Auckland) with airlines Air New Zealand , Air Tahiti Nui .

Last changes: 03/19/2017