Cathédrale de Bel Air
If you follow the road from Trou d’Eau Douce straight through the sugar cane plantations, you will get to Bel Air. In this small village, 8 km from Centre Flacq, you will find the church of Saint-Esprit (Holy Spirit), known as the Cathedral of Bel Air. Strictly speaking it is a parish church, but its high spires make it look like a cathedral.
You can already see the high spires of the cathedral, which stands in a beautiful garden, from the street. As you drive through the old, heavy black iron gate, the sacred building shines out in front of you. Seeing the impressive cathedral from the outside, you are immediately curious to discover the interior.
When you open the dark double door, you see a light altar with a wonderful religious painting above it. Furthermore, the coloured church windows let the sunlight into the fascinating church and illuminate the wooden pews.
The cathedral of Bel Air is a place for communal prayer and a centre of meditation. The architecture and the interior give visitors a feeling of rest and peace.
Mass is celebrated at Saint-Esprit on Saturdays at 4 pm and on Sundays at 9 am; the weekday times are listed on the diocese website. The parish office on Rue Royale in Bel Air can be reached on +230 419 2424.