Gambier islands were converted to Christianity by Father Laval in the first half of the XIXth century. This zealous missionary sent by Roma in 1834 instaured a true theocracy. Traces of his rule are still conspicuous. Notably, with a number of churches erected including the famous Saint-Michel's cathedral. All of them were painted with a characteristic whitewash. Here, a picture of the Saint-Gabriel church in Taravai.