Papeete Cathedral

Papeete Cathedral is a Roman Catholic place of worship with a distinctive red-tiled spire and grey exterior walls, located near the waterfront on Rue du Général de Gaulle. The building combines modest external design with carefully decorated interior spaces that showcase religious artwork and local artistic expressions.

Construction began in the mid-1800s after French missionaries arrived, following France's declaration of Tahiti as a protectorate in 1842. The building stands as a key landmark marking the introduction of organized Catholic faith to the island.

Inside, a wooden Madonna and Child sculpture from the Marquesas Islands shows the infant holding a breadfruit, blending European and Polynesian artistic traditions. The artworks throughout the building reflect how Catholic faith mixed with local island culture over centuries.

The building is open to visitors throughout the day and serves as a central gathering point in downtown Papeete for both worship and sightseeing. Keep in mind that religious services take place regularly, so access may be limited during these times.

The Stations of the Cross paintings show Polynesian people exclusively in the Passion scenes, wearing a blend of Tahitian and Roman elements in their clothing. This detail transforms the place into an unusual example of how European religion and local identity merged in the Pacific.

Location: Papeete

Inception: 1875

GPS coordinates: -17.54030,-149.56700

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:09