Cathédrale Notre-Dame De Papeete

Notre Dame Cathedral in Papeete is in the center of the town and is an important monument in the history of French Polynesia. It was built in several stages, between 1856 and 1875. The work was overseen by the bishop and carried out by men from the island of Mangareva. Work was halted from 1857 to 1870 and the Mangarevans took away three doorways to have them sculpted back on their island. Work resumed in 1870 and was completed in 1875. The cathedral was inaugurated by Monseigneur Tepano Jaussen, Bishop of Axieri, on December 23,1875. Over the years the cathedral has had to endure cyclones, a tidal wave, a bombardment and rioting. The cathedral has three bells, which received a blessing on December 19, 1875 and were named Marie Charlotte, Emilie Octavie and Anne Martin. The cathedral is at PK 0, which is the point from which all distances on the island are measured. The white and red milestones by the side of the road indicate their distance from the cathedral.