Papeete Town Hall (Mairie Papeete)

Inaugurated in 1990, Papeete Town Hall at Place Tarahoi was designed to replicate the 19th century colonial design of the old Queen's palace that once stood in the same spot.

Located on Rue Paul Gaugin, it's a cheerful building, painted a golden yellow with a white wrap-around veranda surrounded by palm trees, a tranquil pond, well-manicured gardens and the Tahitian flag flying proudly. Inside, crystal chandeliers, sculptured glass furnishings, historical artifacts and pink Italian marble give the space an air of grandeur.

This building is where you'll find the mayor's office as well as many municipal staff working spaces. Since March 2008, the town of Papeete has changed their government strategy to better serve a modernizing people, employing a diverse team of men and women representative of the population. That being said, the goal of the municipal team is still to ensure Papeete is a clean, livable place that people enjoy visiting.

Check with your hotel to see if there are any events going on at Papeete Town Hall, as there are frequent art exhibits, dinners and cultural programing. If you're hungry, across the street is a charming restaurant and wine bar called Vigne en Verre, known for their friendly service and hearty pasta dishes.