Written by : Lisa DI SALVIA
If you come to French Polynesia, you’ll quickly see how much tattooing is an integral part of the local culture. Here, ink isn’t just a matter of style: it tells a story, an identity, a connection to ancestors. The tatau, as it is called in Reo Tahiti, is a powerful and profound art. And if you too feel the call of the needle, I share with you my two favorite addresses in Papeete: Mana’o Tattoo Studio andTattoo by Patu. Two very different experiences, but both marked by authenticity, passion and respect for traditions.
Mana’o Tattoo Studio: the artist collective at the heart of mana
In the heart of Papeete, at 11 rue du Commandant Jean Gilbert, hides a studio like no other, Mana’o Tattoo Studio.
This is a must-visit place if you’re looking for a personalized Polynesian tattoo, designed just for you. The studio was founded by Manu Farrarons, a true tattooing legend with over 30 years of experience.
Here, you enter a warm and soothing space. Five talented artists work together in a collective spirit. Each takes the time to talk with you, to understand your story, your desires, to create a unique tattoo, in keeping with the traditions of tatau. We’re not just talking about a pretty design on the skin, but a true moment of connection, between you, your body, and your story.
Manu, recognized worldwide (notably in the United States via Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World), also founded a studio in Los Angeles, voted best salon in Studio City in 2019 and 2020. But in 2021, he decided to return to Tahiti, to reconnect with his roots and transmit even more.
📍 Open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., by appointment only
📞 +689 40 42 45 00
📧 manao.tattoo.tahiti@gmail.com
🔗 tattootahiti.com
📸 Instagram | Facebook
©Mana’o Tatto Studio
Tattoo by Patu : an inner journey engraved in the skin
And then there’s Patu. If you’re looking for a more intimate, almost spiritual experience, you have to go to Tattoo by Patu. This tattoo artist has been tattooing since he was 11 years old (yes, you read that right!). It’s simple: he’s internationally renowned and has received numerous awards for the quality and originality of his work.
His studio is a cocoon. We enter into silence, we sit down, we talk. For Patu and his team, each tattoo is a kind of therapy. They capture what you feel, what you want to express… and transform it into a work of art. The studio’s style blends Polynesian traditions and modern influences, resulting in unique, powerful, and deeply personal creations. Each visit to Patu’s is a truly suspended moment.
Renowned for its professionalism, the salon brings together several award-winning tattoo artists, each expert in a well-defined style: from traditional Polynesian to modern custom, including lettering, geometric or minimalist patterns.
If you want to mark a moment in your life, reconnect with yourself or simply treat yourself to a piece of ink: go for it.
🕒 Tuesday to Friday : 9am – 5pm
🕒 Saturday : 9am – 12pm
📞 +689 89 75 31 73
🌐 tattoobypatu.com
📸 Instagram | Facebook
©Tattoo by Patu
Tattooing in Tahiti: much more than a souvenir
In these two studios, getting a tattoo isn’t just about a trend or a simple aesthetic choice. It’s a return to your roots, a self-affirmation, and sometimes even a healing process. Whether you’re looking for a symbol of your roots, a travel souvenir, or a unique work of art, Polynesian tattooing opens the doors to a world rich in meaning and spirituality. So if the call of the tattoo touches you, don’t hesitate to take the plunge. Faa’ito’ito (courage in Reo Tahiti) for the pain of the needle… but what a beautiful journey to inscribe on your skin!
