La Provence de Louisa (pictured)
In Nouméa, a new salon de thé (tea parlour) named ‘La Provence de Louisa’ opened in mid-October 2011 in central Nouméa and offers the customer a selection of exotic teas and hot beverages (hot chocolate, chai) and to enjoy alongside, a selection of delicate sweets, pastries, crystallised fruits and petit fours. It is also a vendor of chocolates from Chocolats Morand, once of the city’s best chocolatiers, and even serves artisanal ice cream from the local Atelier Glacier. With its stylish decor it begs customers to linger inside but its beautifully presented wares are also ideal to take away as gifts.
La Provence de Louisa, 32 rue Clémenceau, city centre, Nouméa
Le Chill Out
Also open since October this year, Le Chill Out is downtown Noumea’s new favourite for the corporate lunch crowd or the busy shopper looking for a little bit of tranquillity. Located right in the city centre, Le Chill out, true to its name is a very laid back place. Its decor is simple and stylish and its menu fresh and varied.
An airy dining space opens wide onto the street and leads to, at the rear of the building, a cool and peaceful indoor patio area with lush greenery and tinkling fountains, which cannot be more conducive to enjoying their freshly made salads or a tasty morsel off the grill. Le Chill Out also offers a selection of strictly fat-free grilled specialties.
Le Chill Out: open lunchtime from Monday to Saturday and evenings from Wednesday to
Friday. 37 rue de Verdun, downtown Nouméa.
New B & B - Lézard Home
Situated in Païta, half way between Tontouta International airport and Noumea downtown and nestled at the foot of Mou mountain, bed & breakfast Lézard Home opened its doors in September 2011.
In a homestead, surrounded by lush gardens edged with creek and forests, guests are treated to the peaceful sounds of the nearby stream from their terrace, as well as the birdsong of local endemic species such as the notou and white collier.
As accommodation, Lézard Home has two 1-bdrm bungalows for 2 persons, each with its own terrace and tea/coffee making facilities. A fresh homemade breakfast is included in the room rates and owners Sonia and Christophe also offer evening meals as an option and their specialties include French dishes with a local twist - duck with passionfruit sauce and local pork or venison braised in mango.
New Caledonia Tourism highly recommends that guests to local B&Bs in New Caledonia such as Lezard Home, opt in when there are evening meals available.
“The experience you will have eating at a B&B or gite in New Caledonia where the hosts source and prepare the food and spend time with their guests, is incomparable to anything you will find at a restaurant” says Virginia Hales of New Caledonia Tourism NZ. “You will have the opportunity to experience the real New Caledonia via its local cuisine – it is also a great option in rural New Caledonia where they are few dining options available.”
For non-French speaking tourists, Sonia speaks excellent English and from working a long time at the office of tourism in Noumea, she has a wealth of local knowledge to impart with her guests.
Activities in the local area for guests to enjoy include horse riding, hiking, guided garden visits, go-karting and also all the activities (nautical or cultural) in Noumea, only a 20mn drive away.
See the website http://www.lezardhome.ile.nc for more details.
Temporary closure of Gite Bougainvillier
New Caledonia Tourism also advises that the Gite Bougainvillier tribal homestay in Ouvea, Loyalty Islands, is temporarily closed due to illness of its owner. The trade will be advised when it is reopened in 2012.