What to expect
This imposing cathedral is the mother church of the Catholic diocese of Seychelles. It is one of the first churches in the islands and stands in the middle of Victoria on Olivier Maradan Street, not far from the Clocktower. It is a working parish church, not a museum: when you step inside, you will usually find worshippers at prayer.
Worth a look are the tabernacle and the carved wooden doors by the local sculptor Egbert Marday. You can read more about the artist on the page Egbert Marday, Kreadyon Beau-et-Mien.
The first bishop of Seychelles, Felix Paul, who died on 21 November 2001, is buried in a grave in the floor of the cathedral. The grave itself is not visible, but its position is marked by a memorial plaque.
History
The cathedral was built on the spot where Father Leon des Avanchers erected the first chapel in March 1851, dedicated to the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception.
Over the years the cathedral has undergone numerous renovations. From 1993 to 1994 it was completely renovated, leaving only the outer walls as they were. The last renovation was completed in 1995, when the local sculptor Egbert Marday created the tabernacle and the carved doors.
Getting there
By car
The cathedral stands on a one-way street. From the Clocktower, drive north along Albert Street, turn left at the traffic lights towards Beau Vallon onto Revolution Avenue, move into the right-hand lane and turn onto Quincy Street. You can park opposite the colourful Hindu temple (though this car park is usually full). Quincy Street bends to the right and becomes Olivier Maradan Street. The cathedral appears on the left-hand side of the road.
If you would like a closer look, carry straight on into Palm Street, turn into the paid "Maison Collet" car park opposite the bus station and walk back to the cathedral. The car park has a limited entrance height (under 1.9 m according to the operator), so it is not suitable for tall vehicles. Current rates are displayed on site.
By bus
From Victoria bus station, turn right onto Palm Street heading west and continue straight on into Olivier Maradan Street. The cathedral is easy to spot on the right-hand side of the road. Walking time: 5 minutes.
Opening hours and admission
For opening hours, the Seychelles Tourism Board lists the Masses, which are held daily. No admission price is given there. Outside Mass times the church can be visited subject to availability; no reliable fixed visiting hours have been published.
| Day | Mass times |
|---|---|
| Monday and Tuesday | 06:15 to 07:00 |
| Wednesday | 06:15 to 07:00 and 12:15 to 13:00 |
| Thursday and Friday | 06:15 to 07:00 |
| Saturday | 17:00 to 18:00 |
| Sunday | 07:00 to 08:00 and 09:00 to 10:00 |
Duration, best time and tips
The cathedral combines well with a walk around Victoria. Close by you will find the colourful Hindu temple, the Anglican St Paul's Cathedral, the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market and the National Museum of History. If you come by bus, you start at the bus station and are at the church in five minutes.
If possible, go into town in the morning. Around midday it gets hot in Victoria, and in my experience the car park at the Hindu temple is usually full by then.
