Place des Cocotiers

La place des Cocotiers is a significant public square located in the heart of Noumea's city center. It serves as a meeting place for many locals and is surrounded by shops and administrative buildings, including the city hall. The square is pedestrian-friendly and is bordered by several major one-way streets. The square's center, marked by the Celeste fountain, serves as the zero point for the kilometer marking of New Caledonia's roads.

The Celeste Fountain: A Symbol of La place des Cocotiers

One of the notable features of the square is the Celeste fountain, a monumental fountain erected in the center of the square in 1893. The fountain, which is 8 meters high, was sculpted from stones from a nearby quarry by a local artist, Paul Mahoux. The fountain, which caused a scandal at the time because it depicted a semi-naked woman, has since become a symbol of the square and is classified as a historical monument.

Place de la Paix: A Symbol of Peace and Unity

In 2020, the square was renamed Place de la Paix in memory of the historic handshake between the independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou and the non-independence leader Jacques Lafleur in 1988. This handshake opened discussions that led to civil peace in New Caledonia and the signing of agreements. In 2022, a 2.5-meter bronze sculpture representing this handshake was erected in the square. The sculpture, created by Fred Fichet, was inaugurated on June 26, 2022.