The economic and cultural heart of Papeete, the municipal market is a must for those wishing to soak up the typical Polynesian atmosphere right in the city center. The best time is very early in the morning, especially on Sundays.

The market was created in 1847 on the site it still occupies today. Around 1870, it was extended onto an adjoining plot belonging to a Mapuru a Paraita lady who gave it its name. Taken over by the municipality in 1890, the market gradually became a district in its own right, surrounded by numerous shops opened by Chinese immigrants.

Built in 1989, renovated in 2006 and again in 2013, the current covered market, with its metal framework, mezzanine dedicated to crafts and its various sectors (fish and meat market, fruit and vegetables, flowers, pareos, jewelry, basketry…), receives an average of five hundred thousand visitors a year. The stalls of fishermen, local farmers and craftsmen are the pride of the market, reflecting Polynesian culture and identity.

A meeting place for the locals, who go there for their daily provisions, the Papeete market has also become a major tourist attraction. The lively atmosphere, warm hospitality of the shopkeepers and variety of products make this an unforgettable experience.

It’s a place where authenticity meets modernity, where heritage meets economic dynamism. A visit to the Papeete market is an invitation to explore the soul of the South Seas and embrace Polynesian culture in all its splendid simplicity.