The best fashion and gift stores New Caledonia

Timetable

In Caledonia, people get up early and go to bed early, and the opening hours reflect this rhythm of life. Note that Sunday is a dead day on the island (especially in Noumea), except for everything related to tourist activities.

If offices open from 7:30 to 11:30 am and from 1:30 to 5:30 pm, large commercial stores open their doors from 7:30 am to 7 pm, sometimes until 8 pm. Some of them welcome customers on Sunday morning. The opening hours of small shops are more variable. As a general rule, you can go there from 7:30 am to 11:30 am and from 1:30 pm to 6 pm on weekdays, and on Saturday mornings until 11 am.

Note: the fight against alcoholism and drunkenness on the public highway is one of the priorities of the municipal police. Please note that in Noumea, the sale of alcohol is forbidden on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and the eve of public holidays, from 12:00 to 21:00 (except in hotels, wine shops and restaurants). So remember to do your shopping accordingly.

Budget & Tips

Beware, overall the cost of living is expensive, more than in metropolitan France. However, you will find many local handicrafts, or local productions which have a good quality-price ratio. In particular, if you want to bring back vanilla for example!

What's very local

At the Noumea market, take the opportunity to buy fabrics and other pareos that will be used to make the custom.
And if you are on the island of Lifou, don't forget to buy vanilla!