History

Travelling to French Polynesia in July means discovering Heiva i Tahiti, the most vibrant cultural festival in the Pacific. Legendary dances, sacred rituals such as the Umu Ti, hymns (traditional songs), ancestral sports and exquisite craftsmanship reveal the spiritual and aesthetic strength of the Ma'ohi people. More than just an event, the Heiva is a living celebration of mana, that energy that unites tradition, art and Polynesian pride.

Every southern winter, orange carriers climb the mountain trails of Tahiti on foot to gather wild fruit and pay homage to their roots. This unique tradition, celebrated during the Orange Festival in Punaauia, represents a deep connection between culture, physical effort and spiritual connection to the land. A living legacy that invites you to discover the island from within, beyond its beaches.

Discover ancient Polynesian navigation: instrument-free techniques, va'a, wayfinding, and the cultural revival of the great explorers of the Pacific.

Long before it became a global sport, surfing originated in Tahiti as a sacred practice. Linked to mana and the Polynesian worldview, it was an intimate ritual of connection with the ocean. Banned during colonization, it has now resurfaced as a symbol of identity. Teahupo’o, a legendary and sacred wave, embodies this living heritage, also celebrated at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Beneath the idyllic landscapes of French Polynesia lies a mythical ancestral universe, where Ta’aroa creates the world, Hina sows coconut trees from the moon, and Hiro sails the seas. Mana, the sacred energy that connects everything, flows through tattoos, marae and tikis. Exploring these beliefs is to understand the deep soul of the islands and experience a transformative spiritual journey.

Beyond its turquoise lagoons and majestic mountains, French Polynesia is a universe of myths, legends, and sacred symbols. Mana, the gods Ta’aroa and Hina, ancestral tattoos, and oral traditions reveal a vibrant and deeply spiritual culture. Traveling to these islands is to open oneself to an intangible heritage that connects with nature, ancestors, and the soul of the Polynesian people.

Navigating without compasses or maps, guided solely by the stars and the ocean—that’s how the ancient Polynesians sailed across thousands of islands for centuries. Today, this tradition lives on in French Polynesia through wayfinding, an ancestral navigation practice that blends astronomy, ocean reading, and a spiritual connection with nature. More than just a technique, it’s a philosophy and a cultural legacy experiencing a vibrant revival.