France – Taputapuātea

Raiatea is located in the Leeward islands at a 45 minute flight from Papeete, Tahiti. Raiatea, meaning “faraway heaven” and “sky with soft light”, was first named Havai’i after the homeland of the ancient Polynesians and is the most sacred island in the South Pacific.
Raiatea which is the second largest Tahitian isle, was the center of religion and culture over 1000 years ago and still lends enchantment to ancient legends told to this day. The green-carpeted mountains include the celebrated Mt. Temehani, a sort of Polynesian Mt. Olympus.
Formerly named Hava’ī, Raiatea is known as the Gods’ cradle and hosts archeological treasures (marae, petroglyphs…) witnessing an ever present epic history and culture. As the first Polynesian island to be populated, Raiatea shelters the most spectacular and first international marae of the Polynesian triangle, called Taputapuatea, where inauguration ceremonies, political alliances and international meetings took place.

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