Our History

For more than seven decades, the name Caillard & Kaddour has been associated with entrepreneurship, business development and lasting relationships across the South Pacific.

Established in New Caledonia in 1951 and operating in Vanuatu since 1990, Caillard & Kaddour has built its reputation on local knowledge, professional expertise and a long-term commitment to the communities it serves.

Today, with offices in Port Vila and Luganville, Caillard & Kaddour is one of Vanuatu’s longest-established real estate agencies, offering a comprehensive range of property services to homeowners, buyers, investors, businesses and developers.

Our story is one of continuity, adaptability and a belief in Vanuatu’s future.

Our Origins – A Pacific Heritage Since 1951

The history of Caillard & Kaddour began in 1951 in Noumea, New Caledonia, with the establishment of Agence Interiles, a real estate business founded through the partnership of Philippe Caillard and the Kaddour family. At a time of significant urban expansion, the agency quickly established relationships with major landowners and became actively involved in residential subdivisions and land development throughout Noumea and its surrounding areas.

Building on this success, the founders progressively diversified their business interests.

1. 1951

   Agence Interiles

   Philippe Caillard and the Kaddour family found a real estate business in Noumea, working with major landowners on residential subdivisions and land development.

2. 1954

   Insurance

   The group enters the insurance sector through a partnership with La Paternelle, later developing relationships with major international insurers.

3. 1956

   Travel

   TPV, one of Noumea’s early travel agencies, is established in partnership with Jean-Louis Pujol.

4. 1957

   The Laperouse Building

   One of Noumea’s first multi-storey buildings becomes the group’s headquarters and home to the Hotel Laperouse, extending its activities into hospitality.

Over the following decades, the group continued to develop interests in real estate, insurance, travel, mining, public works and consumer finance. These activities established a strong business presence in New Caledonia and provided the foundations for expansion into other Pacific markets.

In 1990, that expansion brought Caillard & Kaddour to Vanuatu.

1990 – The Beginning of Caillard & Kaddour in Vanuatu

Caillard & Kaddour’s presence in Vanuatu began in October 1990, when Philippe Caillard and Régis Babey, representing the Kaddour family, identified an opportunity to acquire an established real estate agency in Port Vila.

The business had originally been founded in April 1973 as Cabinet d’Affaires Claude Boudier (CACB) and subsequently operated under the name Cabinet Cornette. Already recognised within the local property market, the agency provided an established foundation for the group’s entry into Vanuatu.

Following the acquisition, the business was renamed Caillard & Kaddour Vanuatu, becoming the group’s first permanent establishment outside New Caledonia. The new agency benefited from the wider group’s experience, professional relationships and established connections throughout the Pacific and Europe.

However, the founders recognised that the business required permanent local management to support its long-term development. That decision would mark the beginning of a new chapter.

1991 – A New Era of Leadership

In January 1991, Loïc Bernier was appointed Managing Director of Caillard & Kaddour Vanuatu.

Having arrived in Vanuatu in 1989 as a teacher seconded by the French Government, he had developed a strong attachment to the country and decided to establish his future there. Following discussions with Philippe Caillard and Régis Babey towards the end of 1990, he accepted responsibility for developing the newly acquired agency.

Under his leadership, Caillard & Kaddour initially concentrated on two principal activities: real estate and insurance. Supported by the wider C&K group, the company progressively expanded its operations, strengthened its market position and established lasting relationships with property owners, investors, businesses and institutions.

Over the following decades, the agency evolved alongside Vanuatu’s property market, adapting to changing economic conditions, new investment opportunities and the growing demand for professional real estate services.

Growth Through Experience and Strategic Acquisitions

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Caillard & Kaddour strengthened its position through the acquisition of established real estate businesses.

1. 1994

   Investment Real Estate

   Acquired from Mrs Freda Giles, expanding the company’s property portfolio and client network.

2. 1999

   Agence St Michel

   Acquired from Mrs Jacqueline Paumier, consolidating the agency’s presence in Port Vila. Jacqueline subsequently joined the C&K team, bringing her experience and established client relationships.

3. Peter Brickland Agency

   The acquisition of the real estate and insurance agency operated by Peter Brickland, one of C&K’s major competitors.

4. Espiritu Santo

   Commercial premises acquired in central Luganville, establishing the foundations of the company’s Santo operations.

These acquisitions were more than business transactions. They brought together professional experience, market knowledge and relationships developed over many years, strengthening the company’s ability to serve a broad range of clients.

A Strategic Focus on Real Estate

In 2008, following negotiations with AON, Caillard & Kaddour relinquished control of its Port Vila insurance operations. The insurance business continued separately under the name CK The Insurance Shop, allowing Caillard & Kaddour to concentrate on its core real estate activities.

This strategic decision reinforced the company’s focus on property sales, leasing, property management, investment opportunities and development-related services. It also marked an important stage in the evolution of C&K into the specialist real estate business it is today.

Contributing to Vanuatu’s Property Development

For more than three decades, Caillard & Kaddour has been closely associated with the evolution of Vanuatu’s property market. Beyond traditional real estate transactions, the company has participated in numerous residential subdivisions, commercial property projects and tourism developments across Port Vila, Efate and Espiritu Santo.

From residential land developments to commercial buildings and hospitality investments, these projects demonstrate the breadth of C&K’s involvement in Vanuatu’s growth.

Residential Communities and Land Subdivisions

These developments have contributed to the expansion of residential communities and the availability of land for homeowners and investors. They also reflect C&K’s extensive experience in the practical aspects of land development, subdivision processes, property marketing and leasehold transactions.

Caillard & Kaddour Today

Established Experience. Local Knowledge. Personal Service.

In 2026, Caillard & Kaddour celebrates 75 years of business heritage in the Pacific and 36 years of continuous presence in Vanuatu. Since acquiring an established Port Vila agency in 1990, the company has developed into one of the country’s longest-standing real estate businesses.

Our experience has been built through decades of working directly with property owners, buyers, tenants, developers and investors. We understand that real estate in Vanuatu presents particular opportunities and challenges. Leasehold arrangements, land registration, lease extensions, customary land considerations, planning requirements and local market conditions all require a practical understanding of the country’s legal and administrative environment.

Our role is to help clients navigate these matters with clarity, experience and professional guidance, working alongside relevant legal, financial and technical advisers where required.

Our Real Estate Services

Through these services, our objective remains consistent: to provide reliable, professional and personalised assistance at every stage of the property journey.

Our People, Our Greatest Strength

While Caillard & Kaddour’s history is defined by important milestones and developments, its reputation has been built above all by its people.

Over the decades, the company has brought together experienced professionals with an extensive understanding of Vanuatu’s property market. Many members of the team have contributed to the business over long periods, preserving valuable institutional knowledge and relationships with clients, property owners and local stakeholders.

This continuity allows C&K to offer something particularly important in real estate: an understanding not only of individual properties, but also of their history, the surrounding market and the people involved. Our approach is based on personal relationships, clear communication, practical advice and a commitment to professional service.

As the company continues to evolve, a new generation is bringing fresh perspectives, digital expertise and contemporary approaches to property marketing and business development. By combining this new energy with decades of established experience, Caillard & Kaddour is preparing for the next chapter of its development.

Looking Ahead – Building on Our Heritage

Vanuatu’s real estate market has changed considerably since Caillard & Kaddour established its operations in Port Vila in 1990. The country has experienced periods of growth, economic challenges, natural disasters and significant changes in its investment and property environment. Throughout these developments, C&K has maintained a long-term presence and continued to adapt to the needs of its clients.

Looking to the future, our priorities remain focused on:

• Professional expertise: Maintaining a high standard of real estate advice and continuously developing our team’s capabilities.
• Modern property marketing: Using digital platforms, contemporary marketing tools and effective communication to connect properties with local and international audiences.
• Personalised client relationships: Preserving the individual attention, discretion and continuity that have long characterised our business.
• Investment and development opportunities: Supporting clients seeking to invest in Vanuatu’s residential, commercial and tourism property sectors.
• Long-term commitment to Vanuatu: Continuing to contribute to the development of a professional and sustainable property market.

Our objective is not simply to preserve a successful history, but to build on it. By combining the experience of the past with the opportunities of the future, Caillard & Kaddour aims to remain a trusted real estate partner for generations to come.

Our Commitment

At Caillard & Kaddour, real estate has always been about more than property. It is about people, relationships, trust and helping clients make important decisions with confidence.

Whether you are purchasing your first home, selling a family property, managing an investment, searching for commercial premises or exploring development opportunities in Vanuatu, our team is here to provide the experience, local knowledge and professional guidance you need.