Mangareva

The islands at the end of the world

Located more than 1 700 kilometers east of Tahiti, the Gambier archipelago is a little off the beaten tourist track but its rare atmosphere of history and mystery make the trip worthwhile. Mangareva, one of the islands most distant from Tahiti, is practically the only inhabited island. Cradle of Catholicism in Polynesia, it features many remnants of religious buildings from the mid-1800s, such as Saint Michel cathedral, where the altar, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and studded with black pearls, is a marvel.

Selling tips

A lagoon full of extraordinary colors, the totality of the archipelago in its center offering a paradisiacal perspective : 5 high islands, only one of which is inhabited (Mangareva), and 18 islets forming a melting pot of Polynesian landscapes.

A characteristic flora (a poisonous apocynaceae, cerbera odollam, locally known as "reva", fern forests and large numbers of fruit trees) forming a verdant landscape thanks to a tropical climate refreshed by oceanic trade winds.

The capital of the pearl industry : at first a nerve center for the mother-of-pearl trade, the Gambier Islands then specialized in cultured pearls. Numerous pearl farms have sprung up there where one can visit and buy pearls. Pearls from the Gambier Islands are renowned for their beauty and their perfection.

A place rich in history featuring the ancient Polynesian culture (with numerous archaeological vestiges) as well as the first christian culture with different cathedrals and churches built in the 19th century (the oldest in Polynesia) often located on former pagan cult sites. An important evangelization site, the Gambier Islands have witnessed the construction of numerous religious and civil buildings which have mostly been restored. A must-see, St Michael's, constructed of blocks of coral with an altar decorated with pearls and pieces of mother-of-pearl.

A spiritual life with a very deep, Catholic faith. In this archipelago, life goes on in rhythm with numerous religious celebrations (notably the feast of Our Lady of Peace) with magnificent choral masses, processions and diverse decorations.

An authentic and well-preserved archipelago with untouched natural resources, numerous inhabited atolls, and bays and creeks abounding in fish.