Honeymoon in French Polynesia

After their wedding on the island of Oléron, Constantine and Marc went on their honeymoon in French PolynesiaTo make the adventure exceptional, they decide to call on the tailor-made travel agency Fauna Travel Club.

Together they tell us about this honeymoon which will remain engraved in their memory...

Their story

Our romantic encounter took place at our workplace: a communications agency that quickly became our second “home”… We had been working together for over two years, in a unique atmosphere very marked by affection. I was in a relationship that was running out of steam and the agency was my refuge. Marc was in the same pattern. The nights spent at the agency slowly brought us closer together.

At first we were simple confidants, shy and reserved, then we became inseparable and decided to start a new life together. One morning when I got up, I opened the shutters and discovered on the scaffolding of the building opposite a huge canvas on which was written: Constantine, will you marry me? The answer was obvious.

We got married on the island of Oléron in my family home. A simple wedding in the pine forest with a magnificent view of the ocean followed by a magnificent honeymoon in French Polynesia organized by Club Faune Voyages.

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

The meeting with Club Faune Voyages

We met the leaders of Club Faune Voyages as part of a professional collaboration. The agency, a specialist in tailor-made travel around the world, wanted to make a film to illustrate and share its world and its unique vision of travel.

On this occasion we discovered a family company very attached to nature and offering tailor-made trips: authentic experiences off the beaten track, confidential addresses, destinations at the end of the world. It was therefore quite natural that we turned to them to organize our honeymoon.

A honeymoon in French Polynesia

The choice of destination was not easy. Our "only" requirements: to be as close as possible to the ocean and to share a week with our witnesses who were ready to join us wherever we went.

Emilie, our dedicated advisor, made this dream come true. After a meeting at the agency's premises, Emilie directed us to French Polynesia, which met all our requirements. The beauty and diversity of the Pacific Ocean, its lagoons with translucent waters dotted with motus: islets with fine sandy beaches fringed with coconut trees, its seabeds with a thousand colors, its high green islands with dense vegetation to discover during hikes on foot or on horseback in the heart of rolling plains or on the mountainside, the Polynesian people and their age-old traditions... and also the TAHITI PEARL REGATTA, the most beautiful peninsular regatta in the South Pacific. The perfect opportunity to meet up with friends on a boat, in an exceptional setting and atmosphere! Our choice was made.

In order to make this “trip of a lifetime” happen, we have opened a dedicated wedding list at Club Faune Voyages.  The generosity of our loved ones allowed us to make the trip of our dreams come true and discover the incredible diversity of Polynesia: The Marquesas of Hiva Oa in Nuku Hiva, the island of Tikehau in the Tuamotus, then the Society Islands by sailboat for the Tahiti Pearl Regatta before finishing with two dream days together in Bora Bora. 3 weeks of pure happiness, in exceptional landscapes with your loved one and friends, which will remain unforgettable.

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © Hiva Oa Pearl Lodge

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © Hiva Oa Pearl Lodge

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © Hiva Oa Pearl Lodge

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © Nuku Hiva Pearl Lodge

When to go to French Polynesia?

Polynesia has a tropical climate, which includes two seasons: the rainy season from November to April and the dry season from April to October. The difficulty, when you want to do the grand tour of Polynesia and go through the Marquesas, is that the seasons are reversed between the Marquesas and the rest of the country. Not easy...

The Tahiti Pearl Regatta was in early May so we left on April 20th which was absolutely perfect. We were at the beginning of the rainy season in the Marquesas so didn't suffer from high humidity and at the beginning of the dry season in the rest of the country!

To slip into your suitcase

• A swimsuit, a mask, a snorkel and jellyfish for snorkeling and fishing sessions.
• Riding breeches, good sneakers and a hat for horse riding or hiking in the Marquesas Islands.
• Sailing gloves, a cap and a plastic case to protect your mobile phone for the sailing regatta!

The key stages of this trip to Polynesia

the Marquesas Islands

We began this journey by discovering the Marquesas archipelago, with the first stop being Hiva Oa, the mythical island of the "land of men" where Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel ended their lives. This fascinating island is also the most disturbing... Steeped in age-old rites and customs that have marked the history of the Marquesas, the island is home to one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the archipelago, where "Takai" stands, the largest of the Polynesian tikis.

Then we flew to Nuku Hiva, which blew us away with its wild and authentic character. The Marquesas archipelago stands out from all the archipelagos of Polynesia by its raw nature and its atypical relief. On these "young" islands, there is no lagoon but a sea of ​​an intense and deep blue, rolling plains, basalt peaks, arid lands and other green ones... An extremely kind people who live from fishing, hunting and gathering in perfect harmony with nature. Islands like at the dawn of the world, sheltered from mass tourism, on which we stayed in small traditional bungalows with an exceptional view of the bay.

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Tikehau Island

Then the island of Tikehau in the Tuamotu archipelago, defined by Commander Cousteau as the most fish-rich island in the world! A little paradise on earth that remained unknown until the 19th century and has only recently been accessible. Here, we lived on love and fresh water, going from the turquoise waters of the ocean to the white sand beaches... On the program, snorkeling in magnificent coral gardens and diving to discover Manta rays, blacktip sharks and hundreds of multi-colored fish. A waking dream that we lived in a charming hotel, with bungalows on stilts, nestled on the fine sand beaches of a private motu.

Tahiti Pearl Regatta

After this stage it was time to meet our witnesses and our skeeper for the Tahiti Pearl Regatta! 5 days of racing with breathtaking landscapes as a backdrop, during which we linked Raiatea to Huahine, finishing with Tahaa which faces Bora Bora. A unique experience, in an extraordinary atmosphere. Every evening, after 5-hour crossings accompanied by dolphins who got into the game, big parties were organized in superb locations, where all the crews met up.  The opportunity to discover the results by attending traditional shows while tasting raw fish in coconut milk or pork cooked in the ground... Not forgetting the "afters" on each other's boats with our witnesses and lifelong friends... UNFORGETTABLE.

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © TPR – Thor Johnson Photography

Bora Bora

After this intense week, we wanted to combine dream decor and absolute comfort by living, for a moment, perched between sky and sea! It is in Bora Bora, the "pearl of the Pacific", that we chose to stay. Here again time stood still. In an exceptional setting with a breathtaking view of the Otemanu and Pahia mountains we took the time ... Massage with a view of the marine sanctuary, tour of the island by jet-ski, swimming in the lagoon with shades of blue. A last stop in complete privacy to dream together.

The essential stages of this honeymoon in Polynesia

The Marquesas Islands and the discovery of the Society Archipelago by sailboat.

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © Tikehau Pearl beach Resort

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Their best memory in Polynesia

Our best memory will remain this day spent on horseback in the company of Nick, a "pure" Marquesan whom we met in Nuku Hiva and with whom we formed a real friendship. We had barely met him when we were already talking about our common passions, including nature and horses. The Marquesas are famous for their small horses imported from Chile in the 18th century and are now home to herds of wild horses that are used by the locals for hunting and getting around. After a drink, the appointment was made!

We met up the next day for a first discovery of the island with Nick's cousins ​​and his pack of colorful dogs. An unforgettable day during which we went from rocky paths on the mountainside, to rolling plains, then banyan forests, to end on pink sand beaches... Not to mention the delicious lunch at his parents' house, who welcomed us with incredible kindness...

The Honeymoon Budget in Polynesia

Emilie had warned us, French Polynesia is an expensive destination and the expenses on site are significant. The quality/price ratio in terms of hotels is not always what one might expect but all this is largely compensated by the beauty of the places and the unique spirit of the Polynesians. Prices can vary significantly depending on everyone's expectations... Guesthouses, charming addresses or luxury hotels... But one thing is sure, everyone will find their paradise!

Honeymoon in French Polynesia © Tikehau Pearl beach Resort

Must-visit addresses

Two taste favorites.

Raiatea Restaurant: Fish and blue

A restaurant with its feet in the water and a zen-chic atmosphere. In this unique place, built on the beach, you walk barefoot on warm, pink sand and enjoy a variety of dishes with international flavors. Everything is delicious! To the delight of her customers, the owner of the place has opened a boutique on site where she presents the creations of small designers from here and elsewhere: bohemian dresses, swimsuits, beach bags, but also tableware, cushions, etc.  A selection made with great taste, I left with two bags full!

Tahiti Restaurant: “The stopover of the France liner” or “Maui Beach”

Two names for this legendary traditional restaurant in Tahiti, run by Marquesan women, with a view of the lagoon. A warm and authentic welcome, tasty dishes, an idyllic setting, the ideal place to discover all the Polynesian flavors!