Skip to main content
CountryReports

Select language

ENEnglishESEspañolZH中文HIहिन्दीFRFrançais
Sign In
French Polynesia flag

French Polynesia

Polynesie Francaise

Capital:Papeete (located on Tahiti)
Population:291,000
Currency:CFP Franc (XPF)
Language:French (official), Tahitian (official)
Church on Moorea

Declare Your Relationship to French Polynesia

See full leaderboard →

CountryReports Community

  • Studying0
  • From French Polynesia0
  • French Polynesia heritage0
  • Visited0
  • Want to visit0

Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of French Polynesia.

French Polynesia Factsheet

Customs and Culture

About the People

Kindness, generosity, and hospitality are central values in the islands.

Cultural Attributes

Kindness, generosity, and hospitality are central values in the islands.

Church on Moorea

Islands of Aloha and Atolls

Greetings, Gestures & Visiting

Remove your shoes before entering a house. Wash your hands before eating as most Tahitians eat with their hands. It is customary and polite to shake the hands of everyone in a group. Kissing friends on the cheeks still signals the French influence among the islands. Unless there is a large number of people in the room, it is considered impolite not to shake hands with all of them.

Clothing styles are relaxed in French Polynesia.  For men Beach wear is often just from the waist down.

Sunday is a day of worship and requires best dress.

Diet

Lunch is usually a large meal and in some areas the only cooked meal of the day. Dinner a lighter meal and in some areas leftovers from lunch. In the urban areas breakfast is usually baguettes with butter and jam. They do eat with their fingers for some traditional foods but mainly use a knife and fork. In rural areas, people provide much of their own food through fishing and gardening taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, and manioc. In larger villages and urban areas, Chinese food is available at the local Chinese-owned general store, and in small restaurants.

Boy Fishing on Moorea Island

Family

The hierarchy of ranked titles and chieftainship has disappeared, but the descendants of chiefly families are aware of their

history. The descendants of the Tahitian monarchy are socially prominent. The way of life in French Polynesia varies depending on location. Papeete is a cosmopolitan city with a strong Western influence. Most clothing and other goods are also imported, largely from France. On more remote islands, the lifestyle is much slower in pace. In these areas, people rely more heavily on subsistence activities and materials found locally.

Holidays

  • Bastille Day

    7/14

    Other

Dates of Interest

  • July 14th

How do people greet each other in French Polynesia?

Handshakes are customary, and it's polite to shake hands with everyone in a group. Kissing friends on the cheeks reflects the French influence in the islands.

Do

  • Shake the hands of everyone in a group
  • Kiss friends on the cheeks in keeping with French custom

Don’t

  • Don't fail to shake hands with everyone unless the room is very crowded

What are dining customs like in French Polynesia?

Lunch is usually the large, main meal of the day, while dinner is lighter and sometimes leftovers from lunch. People mainly use a knife and fork but eat some traditional foods with their fingers.

Do

  • Wash your hands before eating, as many Tahitians eat with their hands
  • Expect breakfast of baguettes with butter and jam in urban areas

Good to know

  • In rural areas, people provide much of their own food through fishing and gardening taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, and manioc
  • Chinese food is available at local Chinese-owned general stores and small restaurants in larger villages and urban areas

What etiquette should I know in French Polynesia?

Kindness, generosity, and hospitality are central values in the islands.

Do

  • Remove your shoes before entering a house

How should I dress in French Polynesia?

Clothing styles are relaxed in French Polynesia, though Sunday worship calls for your best dress.

Do

  • Wear your best dress on Sunday, a day of worship

Good to know

  • For men, beachwear is often just from the waist down

What is family and social life like in French Polynesia?

The way of life varies by location: Papeete is a cosmopolitan, Western-influenced city, while remote islands move at a slower pace and rely on subsistence activities.

Good to know

  • Descendants of chiefly families and the Tahitian monarchy remain socially prominent
  • On remote islands, people rely more heavily on subsistence activities and locally found materials
  • Most clothing and goods in Papeete are imported, largely from France

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of French Polynesia

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Time Difference
UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Tropical, but moderate
Airports
49
Premium Content

Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.

View full travel guide

Recipes

Featured Dish

Poisson Cru (Fish Salad)

Side Dish

Browse all 5 recipes

History

Historical Eras

  1. Polynesian Settlement

    300 BCE – 1767

    Skilled Polynesian navigators settled the islands of what is now French Polynesia beginning around 300 CE, developing rich oral traditions, hierarchical chiefdom societies, and distinctive art forms including tapa cloth and intricate tattooing. European contact began incrementally, with Magellan sighting the Tuamotus in 1521 and Dutch explorer Roggeveen glimpsing Bora Bora in 1722, before Englishman Samuel Wallis made the first recorded European landing on Tahiti in 1767.

  2. Early Contact & Pomare Era

    1767 – 1842

    European contact transformed Tahitian society through the introduction of new goods, diseases, and Christian missionaries, while the Pomare dynasty consolidated political power across the islands. Queen Pomare IV, who began her influential 50-year reign in 1827, presided over a kingdom increasingly pressured by competing French and British colonial interests, navigating a rapidly changing social and religious landscape shaped by the London Missionary Society.

  3. French Protectorate

    1842 – 1880

    France declared Tahiti and the Marquesas a protectorate in 1842, triggering the Tahitian War of Independence from 1844 to 1847, in which local resistance fighters mounted a determined but ultimately unsuccessful guerrilla campaign against French forces. The capital of Papeete was formally founded in 1843, becoming the administrative center of expanding French influence. Queen Pomare IV died in 1877, and her son Pomare V ceded full sovereignty to France in 1880.

  4. Colonial Period

    1880 – 1946

    Formally annexed as a French colony, the territory was reorganized under direct metropolitan administration and its diverse island groups progressively brought under centralized French control. The 1918 influenza pandemic devastated the indigenous population, killing roughly 20 percent of Polynesians. During World War II, the islands declared for Free France under de Gaulle, and the United States established a strategic military base on Bora Bora in 1942 as part of Allied Pacific operations.

  5. Overseas Territory

    1946 – 1996

    Redesignated an Overseas Territory in 1946, French Polynesia received a Territorial Assembly and gradually expanded its administrative autonomy, with France granting partial internal self-governance in 1977. The territory became the site of French nuclear testing, most controversially at Mururoa Atoll, generating sustained international protest and environmental concern. France's resumption of nuclear tests in September 1995 after a three-year moratorium provoked widespread global demonstrations before testing was suspended in January 1996.

  6. Autonomy & Overseas Collectivity

    1996 – present

    Organic laws in 1996 and 2004 progressively deepened French Polynesia's autonomy, redefining it as an overseas country within the French Republic and creating the elected office of President of French Polynesia. Political life has been marked by significant instability, with seven changes of government following the landmark 2004 statute, as independentist leaders such as Oscar Temaru competed with long-dominant figures like Gaston Flosse. French Polynesia retains its own flag, anthem, and seal while France maintains authority over defense, foreign affairs, and monetary policy.

Overview

French Polynesia was designated an Overseas Territory of France in 1946 and given a Territorial Assembly on 25 October 1946. French Polynesia’s constitutional status (’Statut’) defines its institutions, legal powers and relationship with France. The French Government has amended this Statut several times since 1946. The government of French Polynesia was given executive responsibility for many areas (including local financial and economic affairs, customs and taxation, tourism, transport, agriculture, fisheries, public works, health, primary and secondary education, social welfare and other internal matters). A new Statut created by an Organic Law (no. 96-312) and accompanying legislation (no. 96-313) on 12 April 1996 gave French Polynesia ‘autonomous status’ and broadened its powers to include control over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), air and sea transport links, telecommunications and postal services and internal security. French Polynesia was also enabled to negotiate and sign in its own right administrative arrangements and regional cooperation agreements with countries in the Pacific region. Under amendments made to France’s Constitution in 2003 to decentralize power in France, French Polynesia is allowed - like other parts of France - some greater measures of local self-regulation. However, the constitutional amendments also strongly anchored all the French overseas possessions to the French Republic by including the names of all ten overseas entities in the French Constitution. French Polynesia is among the ‘overseas collectivities’ (collectivités d’outre-mer), which include Wallis and Futuna, which are governed by Article 74 of France’s Constitution. (New Caledonia is governed by Articles 76 and 77). Pursuant to Article 74, for French Polynesia specifically, a new statut came into force through an Organic Law on 27 February 2004. This strengthened French Polynesia’s degree of autonomy and redefined the former overseas territory as ‘an overseas country (pays d’outre-mer) within the French Republic’ (as specified in article 1 of the Organic Law). The position of President of French Polynesia was created and a new electoral system for the Assembly was established. The French Government is represented in French Polynesia by a High Commissioner, currently responsible for police and justice, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs. French Polynesia is a parliamentary democracy, with a 57-seat Assembly and an executive headed by a president elected by a simple majority vote within the assembly for a five year term. Assembly members also serve five year terms. French Polynesia uses its own flag, seal and anthem in conjunction with the French national symbols.

Recent political developments

The political environment in French Polynesia has been marked by considerable instability in recent years with seven changes of government since 2004. The most recent general elections were held in French Polynesia in January and February 2008. Three main political groupings contested the Assembly election: the UPLD independentist coalition which former President, Oscar Temaru, leads; the Tahoera’a Huiraatira party which is led by a long-time political leader, Gaston Flosse (who led French Polynesia for most of the two decades until 2004), and the To Tatou Ai’a coalition, which is led by Gaston Tong Sang. In the 2008 elections, the former ruling party, the UPLD independentist coalition, lost support. With 38.26% of the vote, the UPLD secured 20 seats; 7 seats fewer than it held previously. The To Tatou Ai’a coalition polled 44.87% to secure 27 seats in the new Assembly. The big loser in terms of seats was Gaston Flosse’s Tahoera’a Huiraatira party, which, after polling 16.88%, lost 7 seats to retain only 10 seats in the new Assembly. An alliance was assembled involving Gaston Flosse and Oscar Temaru. Flosse was elected to the position of President, with Temaru subsequently elected as Assembly Speaker on 1 March 2008. The government comprised five Tahoera’a and 10 UPLD members. The To Tatou Ai’a coalition, which attracted more party preferred support but which failed to achieve a simple majority was excluded. Members of Tong Sang’s coalition reacted strongly. Tong Sang led a demonstration of 10,000 in Papeete to protest the election of Flosse, and lodged a legal appeal with the French State Council. Reactions from France were similarly negative – the French governing party, with which Flosse had been affiliated, announced it would sever all ties with him. After the governing alliance was agreed by Flosse and Temaru, UPLD and nine of the 10 Tahoera’a members united to form

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1521

    Magellan sights the Pukapuka Atoll in the Tuamotus.

    Magellan sights the Pukapuka Atoll in the Tuamotus .

  2. 1722

    Dutch explorer Roggeveen sights Bora Bora.

    Dutch explorer Roggeveen sights Bora Bora .

  3. 1767

    English explorer Samuel Wallis lands on Tahiti.

    English explorer Samuel Wallis lands on Tahiti .

  4. 1827

    The 50-year reign of Queen Pomare IV begins.

    The 50-year reign of Queen Pomare IV begins.

  5. 1842

    France declares Tahiti and the Marquesas as a protectorate.

    France declares Tahiti and the Marquesas as a protectorate.

  6. 1843

    The capitol city of Papeete is founded.

    The capitol city of Papeete is founded.

  7. 1844 – 1847

    Tahitian War of Independence.

    Tahitian War of Independence.

View full timeline (11 events)
Premium Content

Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.

View expanded history

Interesting Facts

  • Tahiti is French Polynesia's largest island.

Premium Content

See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.

View all interesting facts

Geography and Environment

Terrain
mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs
Climate
tropical, but moderate
Natural Hazards
occasional cyclonic storms in January
Current Environmental Issues
NA
Premium Content

Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.

View full geography

People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

French (official), Tahitian (official)

  • Tahitian

Population

Population
291,000
Population in Major Urban Areas
PAPEETE (capital) 137,000
Nationality Noun
French Polynesian(s)
Ethnic Groups
Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%

Education

Literacy Definition
Age 14 and over can read and write
Premium Content

Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.

View full people and society

Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
FrenchPolynesia
Full Country Name
Territory of French Polynesia
Local - Long
Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise
Local - Short
Polynesie Francaise
Former Name
French Colony of Oceania

Government Structure

Government Type
NA
Legal System
based on French system
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON of France (since 14 May 2017), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Eric SPITZ (since July 2021) head of government: President of the Government of French Polynesia Moetai BROTHERSON (since 12 May 2023); President of the Territorial Assembly Antony GEROS (since May 2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers; the president of French Polynesia submits a list of members drawn from the Territorial Assembly for approval by the assembly to serve as ministers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Government of French Polynesia and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly
Legislative Branch
unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats - changed from 49 seats for May 2004 election; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 23 May 2004 (next to be held May 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 28, Union for Democracy 27, New Star 1, This Country is Yours 1; after by-elections of 13 February 2005 seating was as follows: People's Rally for the Republic 27, Union for Democracy 27, and Alliance for a New Democracy 3 note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, UMP 1
Judicial Branch
Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Independence
none (overseas territory of France)
National Holiday
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Capital City

Capital Name
Papeete (located on Tahiti)
Capital - geographic coordinate
17 32 S, 149 34 W
Capital Time Difference
UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

The name means "water basket" and refers to the fact that the islanders originally used calabashes enclosed in baskets to fetch water at a spring in the area

Military

Branches: No regular military forces

Premium Content

Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.

View full government details

Economy

Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia transitioned from a subsistence agricultural economy to one heavily dependent on the French military presence and the tourism sector. With the cessation of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military's contribution to the economy declined sharply, though France continues to provide substantial financial support through annual transfers and development compacts.

Tourism remains the cornerstone of the economy, accounting for roughly 12 to 15 percent of GDP directly and serving as the territory's principal source of foreign exchange earnings. The sector rebounded strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic, with visitor arrivals exceeding 260,000 in 2023 and continuing to grow. Cultured black pearl production, once the second-largest export earner, has faced challenges from declining global prices and competition but remains a significant industry alongside deep-sea commercial fishing, vanilla cultivation, and noni production.

The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural and marine products, including coconut oil, fish, and pearls. Construction, public administration, and services dominate domestic employment. The territory benefits substantially from financial transfers and development agreements with France, which fund infrastructure, public services, and initiatives aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing dependence on imports. Despite these supports, French Polynesia continues to face challenges including a high cost of living, persistent trade deficits, and economic disparities between Tahiti and the outer islands.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
CFP Franc (XPF)

Banknotes

French Polynesia Money - Front
French Polynesia Money - Front
French Polynesia Money - Back
French Polynesia Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$644,100,000 (USD)
Economic Aid
$367,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture 13%; industry 19%; services 68%
Industries
tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates
Agriculture Products
coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products, coffee
Export Commodities
cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat
Export Partners
France 37.9%, Japan 35.7%, US 17.9%
Import Commodities
fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment
Import Partners
France 57.6%, Australia 11.9%, New Zealand 6.8%, US 6.5%

Energy

Oil Production
0 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
4,800 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
Domestic: Combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is roughly 100 per 100 persons International: Country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Internet Country Code
.pf

News & Weather

Current Weather

Loading current conditions…
Loading forecast…

Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

Tropical, but moderate

Videos

1 curated YouTube videos.

  • Source: YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of French Polynesia?
The population of French Polynesia is approximately 291,000.
How do people greet each other in French Polynesia?
Handshakes are customary, and it's polite to shake hands with everyone in a group. Kissing friends on the cheeks reflects the French influence in the islands. Do: Shake the hands of everyone in a group Kiss friends on the cheeks in keeping with French custom Don't: Don't fail to shake hands with everyone unless the room is very crowded
What are dining customs like in French Polynesia?
Lunch is usually the large, main meal of the day, while dinner is lighter and sometimes leftovers from lunch. People mainly use a knife and fork but eat some traditional foods with their fingers. Do: Wash your hands before eating, as many Tahitians eat with their hands Expect breakfast of baguettes with butter and jam in urban areas In rural areas, people provide much of their own food through fishing and gardening taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, and manioc Chinese food is available at local Chinese-owned general stores and small restaurants in larger villages and urban areas
What etiquette should I know in French Polynesia?
Kindness, generosity, and hospitality are central values in the islands. Do: Remove your shoes before entering a house
How should I dress in French Polynesia?
Clothing styles are relaxed in French Polynesia, though Sunday worship calls for your best dress. Do: Wear your best dress on Sunday, a day of worship For men, beachwear is often just from the waist down
What is family and social life like in French Polynesia?
The way of life varies by location: Papeete is a cosmopolitan, Western-influenced city, while remote islands move at a slower pace and rely on subsistence activities. Descendants of chiefly families and the Tahitian monarchy remain socially prominent On remote islands, people rely more heavily on subsistence activities and locally found materials Most clothing and goods in Papeete are imported, largely from France
What is the capital of French Polynesia?
Papeete, located on the island of Tahiti, serves as the capital and principal urban center of French Polynesia. It is the territory's main hub for commerce, government, and transportation, housing the Assembly of French Polynesia and the majority of the territory's administrative institutions. As the largest city in French Polynesia, Papeete is also the primary gateway for international visitors arriving by air or sea.
Where is French Polynesia located?
French Polynesia is situated in the south-central Pacific Ocean, within the region of Oceania. The territory spans a vast expanse of ocean and comprises more than 100 islands and atolls organized into five main archipelagos: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and the Austral Islands. It lies roughly halfway between South America and Australia, placing it among the most remote inhabited territories on Earth.
What are the ocean and sea borders of French Polynesia?
As an island territory, French Polynesia is entirely surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and shares no land borders with any other nation or territory. Its islands are dispersed across an oceanic area roughly comparable in size to Western Europe, though the total land area is comparatively small. The nearest inhabited territories include the Cook Islands to the west and the Pitcairn Islands to the southeast.
What religion is practiced in French Polynesia?
Protestantism is the most widely practiced faith in French Polynesia, observed by approximately 54% of the population. Roman Catholicism is the second largest denomination, accounting for roughly 30% of residents. The strong Protestant presence reflects the significant influence of 19th-century London Missionary Society activity in the islands, while Catholicism took root in the Marquesas and Gambier Islands largely through French missionary efforts.
What currency is used in French Polynesia?
The official currency of French Polynesia is the CFP Franc, with the ISO code XPF. The CFP Franc is also used in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, and it is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate, reflecting French Polynesia's status as an overseas collectivity of France. This monetary arrangement provides relative financial stability and ties the territory closely to the broader French and European economic system.
What languages are spoken in French Polynesia?
French and Tahitian are both official languages of French Polynesia. French functions as the primary language of government, education, and formal commerce, while Tahitian is widely spoken in daily life and holds deep cultural significance for the indigenous Maohi population. Several other Polynesian languages, including Marquesan and Tuamotuan dialects, are also spoken across the various archipelagos, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the territory.
What is the geography of French Polynesia like?
French Polynesia encompasses two principal types of terrain: high volcanic islands, such as Tahiti — the largest island in the territory — characterized by rugged mountain interiors and fertile coastal plains, and low-lying coral atolls, particularly in the Tuamotu Archipelago, which barely rise above sea level. The territory's total land area is relatively modest despite its enormous oceanic spread. This combination of tropical peaks, lagoons, and reef systems defines the landscape across the five archipelagos.
What is French Polynesia known for?
French Polynesia is internationally recognized for its production of cultured black pearls, particularly from the Tuamotu Archipelago, which rank among the territory's most valuable exports. The islands are also renowned for Tahitian dance (the ori Tahiti), celebrated at the annual Heiva festival held each July in Papeete. French Polynesia additionally carries historical significance as the site of France's nuclear testing program at Mururoa Atoll, which drew global protest when tests resumed in 1995. The territory's overwater bungalows and turquoise lagoons, most famously associated with Bora Bora, have made it a defining image of luxury island tourism worldwide.

Last reviewed 2026

Video LibraryCompareArticlesGlobal ContentActivitiesLessonsRecipesBlogInternet CitationGlossary