New Caledonia - France in the Pacific

When you think of visiting France I'm sure you conjure up images of the towering and majestic Eiffel Tower, cute café chairs spilling onto boulevard sidewalks and beautiful formal gardens. But, what if when thinking of France you conjured up images of numerous small islands clustered in clear turquoise water, white sandy beaches and swaying palms? Well, you'd probably be thinking of France, Pacific style, that is, New Caledonia!

If you know my story, you know I live in my homes in Brittany and in Australia and have travelled around a lot of France. But until now, I've never visited the French Territory of Nouvelle Calédonie (New Caledonia). Being a devoted Francophile, of course New Caledonia has been on my travel list... I mean how could it not? New Caledonia is only a few days ocean cruising from Sydney or just under a three hour flight from Sydney. Compared to my normal thirty-plus hours of travel from my Newcastle home to my home in Brittany, it's rather a breeze!