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Destinations: BORA BORA   |   HUAHINE   |   Taha Island   |   PAPEETE

French Polynesia at a Glance

French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France, comprises more than 100 islands in the South Pacific, stretching for more than 2,000km. Divided into the Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, Society and Tuamotu archipelagos, they're known for their coral-fringed lagoons and over-the-water bungalow hotels. Island features include white- and black-sand beaches, mountains, rugged backcountry and towering waterfalls.
Area4167 Square KilometersCapitalPapeetePopulation268270 MillionOfficial LanguagesFrenchCurrencyCFP francTime DifferenceIndia is 15 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Papeete, French PolynesiaISD Code+689BoundaryFrench Polynesia is divided into five groups of islands:The Society Islands archipelago composed of the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands,the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands and the Austral Islands. Among its 118 islands and atolls,67 are inhabited.Tahiti, which is located within the Society Islandsis the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the collectivity, Papeete. It has more than 68% of the population of the islands in 2012. Although not an integral part of its territory,Clipperton Island was administered from French Polynesia until 2007.

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    Your passport must be valid for three months beyond the date of departure from French Polynesia. You do not need a visa if you enter on a regular tourist passport and your stay is no more than 90 days every six months.
    French Polynesia tourist visa is required for citizens of India.

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    Traditional Tahitian culture revolves around a philosophy known as aita pea pea, or ‘ not to worry.’ Most Tahitians are not only generous and friendly to each other, but also to all island visitors. Tahitian oral legends are as colorful as the pareu garments most locals still wear. Modern Tahitian music combines contemporary Western melodies with the traditional nasal flutes, drums, and conch shells still played at many local dances and festivities. No Tahitian celebration is complete without a giant tamara’a Tahiti feast, where layers of hot rocks cover the underground oven where suckling pig, fe’i bananas, breadfruit, and other Tahitian delicacies are cooked.

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    Tahiti or French Polynesian food is known throughout the world because of its exotic fruits, fresh fish and vegetables which are prepared with a strong French influence underlying the Tahitian ingredients. Restaurants in French Polynesia are from a wide variety of backgrounds including and inevitably French and Tahitian, but also Chinese, Vietnamese, and Italian.

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    Heiva i Tahiti. The biggest of all Tahitian festivals begins on June 29, the day of French Polynesia's Autonomy celebrations, and extends into July 14, when French territories celebrate Bastille Day. Papeete's paved waterfront To'ata Square is where much of the action takes place in between.

French Polynesia Packages