Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Puducherry

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stands on the south boulevard of Puducherry and is a Gothic Revival church with an Eastern touch. Archbishop Gandy dedicated the archdiocese to the Sacred Heart in 1895 and wanted a new church in its honour. Fr Telesphore Welter drew up the plans and Fr Fourcaud began building in 1902. The first Mass was said in its western wing in December 1907, and the parish was formed in January 1908.

The church is best known for its rare stained glass panels showing the life of Christ and the saints. After the parish's centenary in 2008–09, marked by a commemorative postage stamp, the Holy See raised it to a minor basilica by a papal brief of June 2011. It has since become a well-known pilgrimage spot for Christians.