formerly Port-de-France
Town (pop., 1996: 76,293), port, and capital of New Caledonia territory.
Located on the southwestern coast of New Caledonia Island, it was founded in 1854 as Port-de-France. The city is situated on an excellent deepwater harbour protected by Nou Island and a reef. It has modern buildings, a large public market, and St. Joseph's Cathedral, an old stone structure.