Fodor's Expert Review Place Vaiete

This open space, in front of the cruise dock and next to the tourist office, is the heart of Pape'ete. The square comes alive when cruise ships are in town with a craft market and traditional bands performing in the lovely iron bandstand decorated with lacework and replica 19th-century French lanterns. Every night about 30 roulottes open their shutters for business, selling great food at reasonable prices. Originally the site of the first territorial parliament (held in 1945), the square was reopened in 2001 after a major upgrade that included new seating, paving, and lovely French-style lampposts.