Published:  17:12 Thursday - March 14, 2013

When I see a Catholic (Christian) church my mind is always cast back to my lovely Gran who lived to a ripe old age of 92.

She never once traveled from her native Britain but I’m sure she would have loved to have visited Dalat City which has so many absolutely stunning cathedrals for worshipping God in abundance.

The city the French built bears the European architecture in the number of large villas and boulevards but I think their real stamp on the area was in the cathedrals.

One such monument that tourists should not miss out on is the stunning pink tile-roofed Domaine De Marie convent, No. 1 Ngo Quyen Street, Ward 6, located less than a kilometer from Dalat city center.

The majestic Domaine De Marie convent, which sits on a hilltop, is a top tourist attraction in Dalat
- Photo: Derek Milroy

The structure was also known as cherry church as it used to be surrounded by cherry trees. Designed by Paul Veysseyre, the complex consists of the main church and two convents, who built it in 1942 the convent was once home to 300 nuns of the Mission of the Charity but on Tuesday there are 10 or 12.

The Roman Catholic Sisters make and sell handicrafts, fruit and candy in their shop and look after orphans, homeless and underprivileged minority children, which you should buy as entrance is free and they are ever so helpful and speak French.

Tourists note that opening hours are from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. but of course the Vietnamese lunch hours lasts from anywhere from 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and our tour group was out of luck and we had to make do with walking around outside and taking some snaps.

Built on a hilltop which only adds to its splendor and from near or afar it is a wonderful site. Our stop was brief but memorable, maybe next time we might get inside.

Source: VIR