The Shrine of the Virgin Mary, adorned with hundreds of polished black-lip pearl oyster shells (Pinctada margaritifera) harvested from Rangiroa's lagoon, is seen at the Eglise Saint-Michel de Avatoru church in Avatoru, Rangiroa, French Polynesia, on May 27, 2026. Pearl farming and diving are central to Rangiroa's economy, and parishioners place these shells and polished nacre pieces at the feet of the Virgin Mary as offerings for their livelihoods, safety at sea, and family well-being. The Eglise Saint-Michel d'Avatoru is a historic Catholic church built in 1896 from coral stone. Located on the edge of the Avatoru pass in Rangiroa, French Polynesia, the church features white lime-washed walls, a bright red metal roof, and a prominent bell tower that serves as a local navigation landmark.
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