Place Jacques Chirac (Jacques Chirac Square), Papeete

Jacques Chirac Square, located in the heart of Papeete on Tahiti's western coast, embodies both community vibrancy and a deep historical narrative. Originally named after the former French president in close alliance with Tahitian leader Gaston Flosse, this semicircular park on Boulevard Pomare is set against Papeete’s bustling port. Despite some initial controversies around naming the square after a living leader, the place evolved to represent more than just a civic center; it has become a memorial and a statement of political significance, particularly tied to French Polynesia’s complex nuclear testing history.

The park features lush green landscaping, traditional totems by Tahitian artist Eriki Marchand, and five symbolic stones representing French Polynesia’s archipelagos. A prominent plaque commemorates victims of nuclear disasters worldwide, including those from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Every year on July 2, known locally as "The Strange Cloud" day, a public ceremony marks the anniversary of the first nuclear tests conducted in the South Pacific, fostering reflection and remembrance for the victims of these tests. The park’s two-story underground parking lot, initially planned by Flosse, also contributes to its central location as a convenient and popular meeting place for visitors and locals.

Nearby attractions, such as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Black Pearl Museum, add to the appeal of Jacques Chirac Square, which stands as a site of cultural gatherings, local markets, and performances. The park’s atmosphere of remembrance and celebration of Tahitian culture makes it both a scenic and meaningful stop in Papeete.