Hiva Oa "Paul Gauguin's Island"

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Located about 1,184 km northeast of Tahiti, Hiva Oa is often considered as the rival of Nuku Hiva. Hiva Oa is the largest of the southern islands with a surface of 320 square km and hosts about 2,015 inhabitants. From west to east the mountain range crosses this island shaped like a sea horse. The main peaks, Mt Temetiu and Mt Feani surround Atuona, the main village of the island, but a very peaceful village. This wall of mountains makes the access between the different valleys quite difficult, althoug the impressive landscape is widely worth it. Atuona is located at the head of the Taaoa Bay and is one of the favourite ports of call for yachts and copra ships. Atuona is also the administrative and economic centre for the southern Marquesas.

Hiva Oa has become quite well known since two famous personalities chose the Marquesas as their final home and resting place: the French painter Paul Gauguin and the Belgian singer and poet Jacques Brel. Located on the side of the Calvary cemetery, the simple graves of these two men look out across the bay. In the village, the Gauguin Museum displays copies of his work and several items related to the painter's stay during the beginning of the 20^th century. The very famous “Maison du Jouir” (House of Pleasure) where Gauguin lived, has been rebuilt near the museum with copies of the carved wood panels.

A famous place of pilgrimage, Hiva Oa also shelters memories dedicated to the famous singer, Jacques Brel, who lived on the island from 1966 to 1978; a memorial has been erected on a site dominating Tahauku Bay and Hanakee Islet.

Just like her rival island Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa offers some great land or water excursions and activities. Explore the wildness of this island on a 4x4 safari, go off the beaten track by hiking to discover the treasures of Hiva Oa, or visit the island in an original way by horseback riding. If you need a bit of refreshment, you can try a boat excursion with deep-sea fishing or swim in Vainako Falls

Like all Marquesan islands, Hiva Oa’s fauna and flora feature very colourful and exotic species. If you're looking for wild, untamed landscape and breathtaking scenery with rich cultural and artistic heritage, Hiva Oa is definitively an island to visit.