Travelling through the Overseas Territories: elsewhere, differently, deeply

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May 20
5 min read

Updated: Jul 3

French overseas territories tahiti lagoon

Lagoons, volcanoes, dense forests, and markets bursting with scents.

You think you know. But they work differently. They're not just tropical versions of France.

These territories carry cultures, legacies, rhythms, and realities that are far from what people often imagine. The Overseas Territories are plural, La Réunion, Guadeloupe, French Polynesia, French Guiana, Saint-Barth… Each one has its own language, its own tempo, its own points of reference, and its own relationship with France.

I’ve travelled there, I’ve listened, I’ve learned. And that’s the perspective I’m sharing today, unfiltered, with curiosity and respect.

What the guides don’t tell you

French is spoken, but it’s not the only language. Landmarks shift. So do references. The seasons, the unpredictable weather, the prices, the daily habits, the schedules, everything moves to a different rhythm. These aren’t static destinations. They’re living territories, shaped by their histories, their pride, and sometimes, their wounds. The relationship with France varies from one place to another. And what that means for locals can’t be summed up in a sentence. Travelling through the Overseas Territories means accepting ou won’t understand everything right away. You learn along the way. And you don’t just come for the sun, you come for another way of living in the world.

A little personal story

In New Caledonia, with a bunch of friends I’d just met in Nouméa, the newly-arrived “métros” (From French metropol) we decided to go camping for a few days on the Isle of Pines. We hadn’t booked return tickets, but told ourselves: three days, max. We stayed five.

The boat over had already set the tone: wild seas, 90% of passengers throwing up, even the crew. But we were there. We had booked a car for the day. Everything was planned. The next morning, we go to pick it up. No one.

We wait. Twenty minutes. Half an hour. An hour. Still no one.

We go to the reception of the nearest hotel to ask. The woman smiles and says:

“It was a Kanak public holiday yesterday. They partied all night. I went to wake them up, but they won’t get up today.” We tried to rent scooters, but everything was closed. And then, the owner of the little campground where we’d pitched our tents, almost on the beach, under the trees, came to our rescue. She cooked simple meals outdoors, and in exchange, we did the dishes.

That day, she lent us bikes. And in the end, it was perfect. By bike, we took paths we’d never have seen by car. We stumbled upon surprising spots. And we just enjoyed ourselves. That day, I understood something: you have to let go. You don’t set the pace. And when you accept that, something shifts. Something more real.

I mention this territory only through this memory. It doesn’t claim to reflect the full reality, but it reveals something essential: travelling through the French Overseas Territories also means learning to open up. For those wishing to go, I rely on trusted and up-to-date sources to advise at the right time and under the right conditions.

Three ways to travel

1) Explore a single territory in depth

This is often the best option if you really want to feel the place. You absorb the rhythm, get your bearings, and build real connections. Each territory is rich enough to offer a diversity of experiences.

For example:

La Réunion, with its cirques, volcano, beaches, hikes, and vibrant culture
Polynesia, by staying several days on an island like Moorea or Bora Bora

2) Combine several territories to feel the contrasts

If you have time, moving from one territory to another lets you grasp the subtleties. The landscapes shift, but so do the sounds, the faces, the language, the feeling.

For example:

Polynesia + New Caledonia: two visions of the Pacific, two cultures, two ways of living on an island
Saint-Barth + Martinique: unapologetic luxury vs. rich Creole intensity

3) Choose a territory based on what you’re seeking

Not all territories are alike. Before booking, ask yourself: what am I really looking for? Adventure? Peace and quiet? Hiking? A link to history? Or just a different way to be near the sea? Each place has its own energy, its own codes, its own contrasts. It’s better to choose a place that aligns with your intentions.

For example:

For a trip that combines rainforest and Indigenous culture: French Guiana
For a gentle daily rhythm, striking contrasts and marine life exploration: New Caledonia or French Polynesia

A few ideas for balanced itineraries

Two weeks on a single island: La Réunion

Hiking, culture, and powerful landscapes.

A full-on but coherent itinerary: through the cirques of Cilaos and Mafate, the Piton de la Fournaise, Saint-Paul’s markets, wild southern beaches, and Creole villages...

In two weeks, you get to really live the island, on foot, by car, through its terrain and encounters.

Perfect for those who like to move, without adding flights.

Three weeks, depending on what you want to experience: Creole culture, sea and nature

Guadeloupe – Les Saintes – Martinique

Start with Guadeloupe: markets, street food, swimming, rainforest, volcanoes… A vibrant island that sets the tone. Continue with a few days in Les Saintes: quieter, more insular, ideal for slowing down, walking, talking, and watching local life.

Then head to Martinique, for another take on Creole life: jungle hikes in the north, walks through plantations, distilleries, southern beaches, colonial heritage, a grounded and lively atmosphere.

A Caribbean journey rich in feeling and encounters.

A Month Across Polynesian Archipelagos:

Moorea, Rangiroa & the Marquesas

A journey 100% Polynesian, designed as a crossing, from one archipelago to another, from one atmosphere to the next, from one world to another.

We begin with Moorea, soft, bright, accessible. Lush mountains, coconut-lined beaches, local markets, and small seaside restaurants. This is the Polynesia of warm smiles, mountain hikes, and dives into the lagoon. You settle in, you breathe, you slow down. The perfect way to ease into the journey. Next, we head to the Tuamotu, where the horizon stretches endlessly. You dive through ocean passes, explore coral reefs, take a boat out to the motu, talk with those who live between fishing, pearls, and white sand. A simple and essential immersion. For the final leg, we travel to Hiva Oa, in the Marquesas. Powerful lands. A strong, rooted, intense culture. You discover archaeological sites, wild horses, Marquesan artists and ancient tattoos.

A journey that stays with you.