Discover Plum: Beach and History

Plum combines a distinctive stretch of coastline with a special testament to the history of New Caledonia. The beach at Baie de Plum is 800 metres long, has brown sand and faces Plum Bay. The Chapelle de Plum recalls the Pacific War, but is currently closed to visitors. These two features offer different starting points for planning your trip: coastal scenery and history.

Beach and History in Plum

The brown sand and length of the beach are the defining features of Baie de Plum. If you focus primarily on the coast when choosing a destination, this specific description offers a useful guide. You can also discover Plum in the context of its history: the Chapelle de Plum is one of the last historic reminders of the Pacific War in New Caledonia.

The chapel’s simple architecture also shapes its appearance. It is made of lightweight materials, including wood, and has neither bells nor ornamentation. Its importance as a historic testament and its current visitor arrangements go hand in hand: the chapel is currently closed to visitors. So do not plan to visit it as an accessible sightseeing stop.

A cultural route in the wider region

The Circuit des Eglises du Grand Sud is a self-guided cultural circuit in the wider region. The route can be travelled by car or motorcycle and extends beyond Plum. The Chapelle Américaine de Plum (Jeanne d’Arc) is listed as one of its stops. This puts Plum in the context of a broader cultural route without confusing the circuit with an offering limited to the local area.

More discoveries in the wider destination of Le Mont-Dore

In the wider destination of Le Mont-Dore, the Village de Prony tells the story of New Caledonia’s penal colony. The former bread oven, powder magazine, timber transport sledge and officers’ quarters of the former Camp Sébert remain there. Organised tours with a heritage guide are offered regularly; check the latest arrangements before your trip.

Trails in Le Mont-Dore also explore historical themes. The Sentier de la Pénitentiaire leads to the Village de Prony and to remains from the penal-colony era in the early 20th century. The Sentier de l’îlot Casy also includes such remains, including a former cultivated area and a cemetery with several graves. The Village de Prony is also the starting point for the seven-section GR NC 1 long-distance trail; trail conditions may vary.

The scenery offers a different focus: the Sentiers du Mont-Dore provide views across the Grand Sud and Nouméa. From the viewpoint at the Cap N'Dua lighthouse, you can look out over the southern lagoon; on a clear day, Île des Pins can be seen in the distance. The Crève-Coeur viewpoint at Col de Prony also offers a panorama, looking out over the Champ de bataille and Baie de la Somme.

The trails in the Sentiers des Bois du Sud pass through a former forestry site with humid forest. Tree species found there include Chêne-gomme, Houp and Kaori. There is a specific planning tip for the higher areas of the Bois du Sud: bring water, as there is no water point there. Creek Pernod is associated with mountain biking and the Boucles de Netcha.

Le Mont-Dore is also a seasonal destination for whale watching: humpback whales can be seen near Prony or at Cap N'Dua from mid-July to mid-September; dates may vary from year to year. During this period, the jetty at Baie de la Somme serves as a departure point for whale-watching trips and trips to Îlot Casy. At the thermal springs of Prony on Baie des Kaoris, there is a deck, a jetty and picnic tables.

When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to consider these highlights separately: Plum offers the beach described above and a historic site that is currently closed to visitors. The other trails, landscapes and activities mentioned belong to the wider destination of Le Mont-Dore. Consider which of these themes you want to shape your trip, and tailor your holiday-rental search accordingly.

Discover more destinations

Bourail, Sarraméa, La Tontouta, Nouméa, Dumbéa, Yate, Vao, Bouloupari

Back to the main travel overview: South Province.