Heidy Baumgartner-Lesage

Originally from Lucerne, Switzerland, archaeological restorer and conservator Heidy has lived in Tahiti since 1986, working with the local Department of Archaeology in excavations throughout French Polynesia and as a freelance tour guide and lecturer. 

In collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley, Heidy participated in the Rock Art Project under the leadership of Dr. Sidsel Millerstrom, taking inventory of petroglyphs, stone statues, and associated ceremonial structures in French Polynesia. 

For the past 15 years, Heidy has worked closely with the Ministry of Culture in Tahiti at the local heritage center, Service de la Culture et du Patrimoine, and she is the co-author of the travel guide Mave Mai, The Marquesas Islands.