Papeete Market, Central market in Papeete, Tahiti.
Papeete Market is a two-level building housing hundreds of stalls where vendors sell fresh fish, local fruits and vegetables, flowers, and traditional island goods. The upper floor features artisans and handcrafted items, while the ground floor is dedicated mainly to fresh produce and food products.
Founded in 1869, the market grew into a major trading hub where vendors from across the Polynesian islands bring their goods. Its long history as a commercial center shaped how the city developed around this location.
The market serves as a gathering place where locals stop for groceries and conversation, especially when gathering ingredients for family meals on Sundays. Visitors can observe daily interactions and the rhythm of island life as residents move between the stalls.
The market sits just two blocks from the waterfront, making it easy to find and accessible on foot. The stalls are arranged in a clear layout with food on the ground floor and crafts upstairs, so you can plan your visit accordingly.
The upper floor specializes in Tifaifai wall hangings, a traditional textile art form that many visitors overlook while browsing the food stalls below. These handwoven pieces feature distinctive patterns that reflect local artistic traditions.
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