Papeete Market

The Marché de Papeete occupies a two-storey hall in the middle of the town and is the commercial and social centre of Tahiti: the ground floor sells fish brought in that morning, fruit, root vegetables, flowers and monoi oil, while the upper floor is given over to pareo, shell and pearl work, tifaifai quilts and carving. Sunday morning is the traditional big market, when people come in from across the island before church.

What you actually see

• The fish floor - the morning catch laid out on the ground level.
• The flower stalls - tiare and other flowers sold by the crown.
• The upper floor crafts - pareo, tifaifai quilts, carving and pearl work.
• The Sunday market - the traditional big morning when the island comes in.

When to go

Sunday morning early is the traditional big market and the fullest. Weekday mornings are also good for fish. The market winds down in the afternoon.

Honest expectations

Sunday morning is very crowded and finishes early, by about nine. Prices on the craft floor are aimed at visitors. Parking in central Papeete is difficult.

Nearby

Papeete waterfront is nearby, and Point Venus is east.