Mataiea

Around Tahiti Nui


Between 1891 and 1893, Paul Gauguin lived in Mataiea where he produced works including Two Women on the Beach, Woman with a Mango and Ia Orana Maria – Hail Mary. The village has two notable buildings – the Church of St John the Baptist (1857) and the quirky Protestant chapel, which looks vaguely like a Hindu temple.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Around Tahiti Nui attractions

2. Jardins Botaniques

3.43 MILES

The 137-hectare Jardins Botaniques has walking paths that wind their way through the garden past ponds, palms, a massive banyan tree and a superb mape…

3. Musée Gauguin

3.77 MILES

This museum has been closed for years but hopefully it will reopen during the life of this book. The airy site surrounded by lush foliage is lovely, and…

4. Marae Mahaiatea

3.8 MILES

Just east of the village of Papara, the Marae Mahaiatea was the most magnificent marae on Tahiti at the time of Cook’s first visit (according to Cook it…

5. Plage de Taharuu

4.14 MILES

Everybody loves Plage de Taharuu – locals taking the kids for a swim, tourists on day trips from Pape’ete and surfers catching some great waves. This…

6. Maui Beach

7.77 MILES

A picturesque strip of white sand, Maui Beach gets packed and noisy on weekends, but is peaceful during the week. It’s right on the road but has shallow…

7. Marae Anapua

8.52 MILES

Another beautifully restored archaeological site, Marae Anapua is worth a gander.

8. Marae Farehape

8.6 MILES

The restored Marae Farehape site is almost directly below the ridge line on which the Relais de la Maroto inn perches; you can see an archery platform…

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