Destination: MONT DORE
Mont-Dore, a magic name which conjures up many treasures. Where each person will find the particular treasure they seek.
Perhaps you are an enthusiast of old buildings and come to discover places steeped in history (Conception, Saint-Louis, Prony, etc.).
Perhaps you are a nature lover : you will find a wealth of choices for wandering among landscapes of outstanding luxuriance and spellbinding colors.
Perhaps you are in search of peace and rest : you will find it in the hotels on the borders of the lagoon, from Vallon Dore to Port Boisé, from Casy to Ouen island.
So do you need to get away from it all ? At the very gates of Nouméa, Mont-Dore is waiting to welcome you.
History - First named Mont d'Or (Mount of Gold) when a few particles of the precious metal were found there, the commune was then renamed Mont-Dore when the missionaries from Auvergne arrived. Mont-Dore has only been an official commune since 1970 and has only had four mayors. Mont-Dore includes the urban centres of Pont-des-Français, La Conception, Saint-Michel, Robinson, Boulari, Saint-Louis, La-Coulée, the Vallon-Dore and Plum and today forms one whole urban zone. In the Great South, the village of Prony and Casy islet still retain traces of the days of the old penal colony : convicts from the penitentiary settlements were followed there by exiles from the Paris Commune.
Events - Sport forms an important part of the activities of Mont Dore. Innumerable sport events are organised throughout the year. The hill walking rally up Mount Eolewhich takes place in June, the Southern Cross triathlon in October and the optimist international regatta in December fight for pride of place with cycling competitions and multi-sports events.
Cultural events also have their place : the guided visits, organised during the Heritage Days in September, of the many sites which bear witness to the past history of the commune lead you back in time on a discovery of the past.
Activities - All nature lovers will fall for Mont-Dore. Walks on foot or excursions on mountain bike, with or without a guide, lead you to valleys or to the banks of rivers. Fresh water springs, forests, or again the lookout post for watching the seasonal passing of whales are irresistible attractions for nature lovers.
Canyoning, rides in canoes-kayaks, and off-raiding in 4WD vehicles also hold surprises for sport lovers. And all the air, sea or underwater activities will tempt those in search of thrills.
Settings - Mont- Dore combines all the pleasures of tourism with many natural assets, traces of its past history and a firm eye on the nature. The Bay of Prony with its magnificent underwater needle, the "Carenage" and Ouen Island offer a wealth of exceptional beauty spots for discovering the splendours of the South. Port-Boisé, the village of Prony or Casy islet are all absolute musts if you really want to discover the extreme south of the Main island. The church of La Conception and the mission house of Saint-Louis, witnesses to the past, stand side by side with the great wind turbine farm of Plum, which firmly represents the future.
|