Discover the Islands of Wallis and Futuna: An Unforgettable Getaway with Our Vehicle Rental Service

Welcome to our website dedicated to vehicle rentals in the islands of Wallis and Futuna, an exceptional destination nestled in the heart of the South Pacific. In addition to providing you with a convenient way to explore these magnificent islands, we offer car rental services to guarantee you a worry-free travel experience. Immerse yourself in the fascinating history and geography of the Wallis and Futuna Islands, explore their remarkable biodiversity, and be transported by the natural beauty of these islands.

A Glimpse into the History and Geography of Wallis

The island of Wallis, also known as Uvea, is the largest of the Wallis and Futuna islands, a French overseas territory. Located 160 miles (260 kilometers) northeast of Futuna, Wallis is of volcanic origin and offers a diverse landscape, ranging from verdant hills to dramatic coastlines. Its history is closely tied to Polynesian migration, and numerous archaeological sites testify to the island’s ancient occupation.

The unique wildlife of Wallis

The fauna and flora of Wallis are full of wonders to discover. The surrounding waters are home to a multitude of marine species, including turtles, dolphins and colorful fish. Take advantage of your car rental to visit the protected conservation areas, where you can observe rare birds such as frigatebirds and petrels.

The terrestrial biodiversity of Wallis

While exploring Wallis with our vehicle rental service, you will also have the chance to discover a diverse and lush flora. The island’s tropical forests are full of endemic plants and trees, some of which are used in traditional medicine. Try to spot the wild orchids that dot the landscape and soak up the natural beauty that surrounds you.

Rent a vehicle for an unforgettable experience in Wallis

Book your vehicle with us today and prepare for an unforgettable adventure on the island of Wallis. Take advantage of the flexibility offered by our vehicle rental service to explore the island’s natural wonders, immerse yourself in its fascinating history, and experience its exceptional biodiversity. Contact us today to arrange your stay in Wallis and enjoy all the benefits of our vehicle rental service.

Futuna and Alofi, the Horn Archipelago

The island of Futuna and its neighbor Alofi form the Horn Archipelago in the Western Pacific. This archipelago, isolated in this vast ocean, is located 155 miles (250 km) southwest of the island of Wallis (with which it has formed the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna since 1981), and 185 miles (300 km) northeast of Fiji. Futuna has an area of approximately 78 square miles (200 sq km), with Alofi covering no more than 12 square miles (30 sq km).

Located in the Southern Hemisphere near the 14th degree of south latitude, they have a hot and humid sub-equatorial climate. Average temperatures there fluctuate between 80 and 82°F (27 and 28°C), and two seasons share the year. From October to May, a hot and very humid season predominates due to strong oceanic influences; it is during this period that cyclones can hit the archipelago. From June to September, the trade winds bring a certain stability and more pleasant weather as temperatures hardly change.

This climate is the origin of a dense primary forest that remains extensive on Alofi, with superb trees to which magnificent orchids cling. On the other hand, this forest has been cleared in places, leaving room for food crops, but also for secondary vegetation consisting of shrubs and ferns, the “toafa.”

Both islands are of volcanic origin; they appeared in a geologically complex area, at the meeting point between the Pacific and Indo-Australian plates. This situation generated many earthquakes, including the deadly one in 1993, which destroyed many buildings and caused a slight tilting of the island of Futuna. The latter is more recent and was formed from volcanic outpourings dating back 3 to 3.5 million years. The pillow lavas formed in the sea are one of the island’s curiosities. Little by little, after its appearance, a coral platform formed around Futuna; currently the island rises to 1,719 feet (524 meters) at Mount Puke; the latter, in the northwest, dominates a central plateau and a narrow coastal plain which sometimes gives way to small beaches, coral slabs or promontories of volcanic rocks that are sometimes impressive.

Alofi is separated from its neighbor by a strait about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) wide, the “Vasa”; older than Futuna, it is formed of coral terraces descending towards the shore from Mount Kolofau (1,368 ft or 417 m); this is a kind of volcanic islet within the mass of coral terraces. Two beaches extend to the north (Alofitai) and south (Sa’avaka); the latter is more difficult to access. Erosion has carved caves in the coral, including the Loka cave to the east of the island, where a sanctuary dedicated to Saint Bernadette has been created.

Futuna’s Settlement

The oldest settlement of the archipelago is linked to population movements that began more than 2,800 years ago from Southeast Asia; these were originally people known as “Austronesians” who, in contact with the Oceanians of the Bismarck Islands region, developed a ceramic that is easily recognizable by its decorations and shapes: “Lapita” pottery, which marks their progression eastward. Shards of this pottery were discovered during archaeological excavations at the Asipani site in the village of Fiua in Futuna.

Their dating makes it possible to go back to around 800-750 BC. Archaeologists such as Christophe Sand and Daniel Frimigacci believe that the Alofitai site in Alofi is contemporary, or even older. Excavation campaigns are due to begin which could clarify this.

Upon their arrival, the first inhabitants occupied the shores near springs, then gradually moved into the valleys and plateaus, occupied before the year 1000 AD; forts were built at altitude, beginning to symbolize the appearance of already strong and often rival chiefdoms at the origin of the current villages. These fortifications played an important role during the Tongan invasion attempts. These ended in failures in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The traditional chiefs or Aliki derived great prestige from these victories against the invaders. Subsequently, Samoans settled in Anakele in the 18th century. But already a first contact had been made with the Europeans, but without immediate follow-up; On April 28, 1616, the Dutch ship Eendracht, commanded by Guillaume Schouten and Jacob Lemaire, landed in Futuna for two weeks. It was they who, after having christened Cape Horn, did the same with Futuna and Alofi, which therefore became the Horn Archipelago!!! It should also be noted that according to Schouten, Alofi was then populated. Until May 11, 1768, there was no more contact with Europe!! On this date, Bougainville, cruising off Futuna for a few hours, called it “the lost child” as it seemed so isolated in the Pacific.

From this date until the middle of the 19th century, the chiefdoms will continue to emerge and push their people to descend towards the sea, towards the flat and humid lands more suitable for agriculture.

During this century, new contacts were established with whalers who could be at the origin of the spread of diseases unknown in the archipelago; these or wars would be at the origin of the abandonment of Alofi. Moreover, when Father Chanel with the Marists landed in Leava in 1837, he noted that the island was depopulated!!

The mission

He, whose mission is to convert the Futunans, achieved great success!! But they will not be able to avoid his martyrdom in 1841: he died at the hands of Musumusu. But paradoxically, it is this event that will cause the conversion of the two kingdoms of Alo and Sigave!! This will help limit conflicts between the two kingdoms, even if it was during the time of Father Chanel that the bloody battle of Vai took place, marking the end of armed conflicts between Alo and Sigave.

From 1850 to 1950 extends the golden age of the mission; the missionaries organize the life of the Futunans but without interfering too much with their traditions. They are firmly established in Kolopelu and churches flourish throughout the island, in all the villages; the Poi basilica allows the development of a great pilgrimage and great ceremonies in honor of Father Chanel.

Small remark: many churches were destroyed or badly damaged during the 1993 earthquake; they were remarkably rebuilt.

Organization of institutions

It was in 1886 that the status of protectorate was granted to the Wallis and Futuna archipelago. Then, on July 29, 1961, a law created the overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna. This took into account the customs, religion and isolation of the territory; the State is represented in Futuna by a delegate who ensures order and security, but also external relations, education, etc. Futuna is, with Wallis, represented in Parliament by a senator and a deputy. A territorial assembly elected by universal suffrage comprises 20 elected officials, including 7 from Futuna! The two kingdoms of Alo and Sigave are territorial constituencies with a council of customary ministers presided over by a king from a few families.

Futuna today

The Futunan population is of Polynesian origin with contributions from neighboring islands and archipelagos: Samoa, Fiji, Wallis, Micronesia.

The population is concentrated in the coastal plain in street-villages between the cliffs and the sea. Traditional fale (houses) stand alongside more modern fale, but all are harmoniously adorned with flowers, and these dwellings are also surrounded by fruit trees of all kinds (breadfruit trees, lemon trees, mango trees, coconut trees, etc.). Closer to the cliff and in the valleys appear the taro fields, banana trees, pig enclosures, and traditional ovens (umu).

Futuna is one of the last islands where celebrations remain numerous; they are enlivened by dances that are often very old. Each village has its own celebration, which usually ends with katoaga during which many pigs are offered to the king, chiefs, and invited personalities.

One plant plays an extremely important, if not primordial, role: kava. Its root is used to make a drink that bears its name. This plant was truly sacred in ancient times, and the ceremony during which the beverage is drunk recalls the hierarchical relationships that prevail in Futuna. It takes place either under the presidency of the kings of Alo or Sigave or under the direction of a chief or dignitary. At the time of the ceremony, the order of protocol is precise, and a master of ceremonies officiates. The kava roots are crushed in water placed in a tanoa (a large wooden bowl). Everything is filtered, and the beverage is then distributed hierarchically according to a well-established protocol. During the royal kava ceremony, the king is the first served in a coconut shell bowl. After the distribution, the celebration or katoaga can begin.