The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception stands on Rue Joseph François Dupleix in the heart of the French Quarter. Built in 1791 and substantially expanded in the 19th century, it is one of the largest Catholic churches in Tamil Nadu. The façade is painted white and pale blue, and the interior is surprisingly grand for a town of this size — high vaulted ceilings, painted columns, and a Portuguese-influenced baroque altar.
The congregation is still active, with services in French, Tamil, and English. A visit during a Sunday morning Mass is the best time to see the building at its most alive. The street outside is lined with colonial buildings and a small square where old men play chess in the shade, giving the immediate surroundings a distinctly un-Indian atmosphere.