Historical site of Île Nou - Nouville former prison

  • Historic site and monument
  • Historic patrimony
  • Prison
1 rue Kataoui, Nouville, 98845 Nouméa
Immerse yourself in penal history on a visit to this former prison.
The Association Témoignage d’un Passé takes visitors on historical guided tours of the former prison at Nouville (bookings required), which held more than 22,000 convicts between 1864 and 1927. Tours can be arranged on request for groups of at least 10 people and for schoolchildren.
There is plenty to discover on this tour showing what prison life was like 150 years ago, including the prison buildings with the governor’s house, the convict bakery, the chapel and the workshops. As you wander through the ruins unearthed by archaeologists, you realise how difficult it was to shelter, feed and care for almost 1,000 men every day, how the convicts built the roads and buildings needed for the Europeans to settle New Caledonia and how the camp was partially destroyed.

A new tour itinerary immerses you in New Caledonian prison life, from the sentencing of prisoners through to their eventual settlement. You’ll gain an understanding of prison living conditions, how work was organised and how prisoners were disciplined. At the end of the tour, you get to see the other side: life after prison. Some prisoners were granted concessions and settled in New Caledonia, their families joined them and their descendants left their own legacy.

You can also book a guided tour of Nou Island by car, which is a fascinating and poignant way to learn about the island’s convict history. More than just a tour of its buildings, you gain a real insight into life as a prisoner or prison guard by listening to stories and seeing actual archival photographs.

Photos are permitted without flash.

Services

Services

Accessible for wheelchairs with assistance
Permanent exhibition
Parking
Public WC
Educational visits
Themed tour
Shop
Booking of general amenities
Tour free of charge
Guided tours

Rates

Rates

From 3 October 2024 to 1 January 2025

From 3 October 2024 to 1 January 2025
Full priceopen visit
From 1000XPF

Reduced priceopen visit
From 850XPF

Childopen visit
From 750XPF

Large family2 adults and 2 children
From 3000XPF

Visit with audioguide or guided tour :
- full price: 1,500 XPF
- child rate: 1,000 XPF
- Reduced rate : 1,300 XPF
- family package: 4,000 XPF

Reduced rate for students and seniors.

Payment methods

Payment methods

Payment methods

CheckCheck
CashCash

Openings

Openings

Monday
Closed

Tuesday
13:00 - 16:30

Wednesday
13:00 - 16:30

Thursday
13:00 - 16:30

Friday
13:00 - 16:30

Saturday
09:00 - 12:00

Sunday
Closed

Last admission at 15:30.
Monday
Closed

Tuesday
13:00 - 16:30

Wednesday
13:00 - 16:30

Thursday
13:00 - 16:30

Friday
13:00 - 16:30

Saturday
09:00 - 12:00

Sunday
Closed

Last admission at 15:30.

Location

Location

Historical site of Île Nou - Nouville former prison
1 rue Kataoui, Nouville, 98845 Nouméa

Spoken languages

Spoken languages
  • French

Access

Access
  • Bus stop: Université (L3 or L6)
Updated on 17 April 2025 at 08:11
by Sud Tourisme Nouvelle-Calédonie
(Offer identifier : 5472133)
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