Notre Dame Basilica

If you appreciate beautiful historical buildings and architecture the Basilica of Notre-Dame is a must see

Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal
Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal cc licensed photo by Geoff Livingston

One of Montreal's most impressive historical sites is the Basilica of Notre-Dame. Referred to as a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, both the outside and inside of the Basilica are displays of architectural ingenuity.

The Basilica built between 1824-1829 is the work of James O'Donnell an architect from New York and then later (1870-1900) Cure' Victor Rousselot and Victor Bourgeau. When standing outside the Basilica looking up you will see the twin towers looming over you in all their majesty. The western tower is called 'Perseverance' and the eastern tower called 'Temperance'. Each tower is home to the church bells of the Basilica. Perseverance houses the great bell nick-named 'Jean- Baptiste' whilst Temperance houses 10 smaller bells.

The inside of the Basilica is impressive with stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, sculptures, statues and paintings. But what is even more impressive are the fine details which have gone into creating the Gothic style of the church. The columns, the organ, the church pews, the banisters, the pulpit and the altarpiece are all meticulously and beautifully crafted. The use of rich colours makes one feel as if you are in a spring garden or in some heavenly realm. At night time you can also experience a sound and light show within the Basilica which is bound to make your experience even more so memorable.

In addition to the sound and light show, the Basilica of Notre-Dame also hosts many concerts by various orchestras and other music groups. Admission to these concerts does vary from the admission to the actual Basilica, so be sure to check the website for more details on admission for the concerts. In order to be able to truly experience the majesty of a service at the Basilica, one must attend one of the religious events held there. The traditional organ is played and a traditional church choir leads the worship.

To get a true sense of the history of Montreal you have to visit the basilica for what would a visit to a French city in Canada be without a visit to its Sacré-Cœur.

Facts For Your Visit

Official Website: Notre Dame Basilica

Fee: Various admission fees apply, see the website for the full fee schedule.

Regular Hours:
May differ on holidays

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Sunday: 12:30 – 4:00 PM

Address: 110 R. Notre Dame O, Montréal, QC H2Y 1T1, Canada

Phone: (514) 842-2925

Official Website: Notre Dame Basilica

Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal Star Rating

5 Star Rating This is a little bit of Europe right at home in Canada.. was honestly very impressed with how nice and ornate it was, definitely has the same or better grandeur than most European basilicas. The craftsmanship is incredible. Also they have quite clean and functional bathrooms which is a nice touch. There are some areas that are prayer only so photos should be avoided, and take off hats out of respect. I also lost my wallet inside somewhere.. came back and asked.. they didn't know.. so I went searching and eventually one of the people working there came running for me and they found it! I was and am so genuinely thankful and grateful. My only constructive criticisms are that for $15 per person the amount you get to see seemed limited.. it would be incredible if you could access upper levels. Also the gift shop was inexplicably closed which was sad!

Nick Fuss - 1 month ago

5 Star Rating An absolutely breathtaking place. I attended Aura - and cannot recommend it more. The gothic architecture mixed with ornate details and lights and music is unmatched. I am not a religious person, but cannot deny the beauty in this space. Absolutely a must not miss if you're a tourist in Montreal.

Elly Grabner - 3 days ago

5 Star Rating It's definitely worth it. It's mesmerizing. It's truly worthwhile – a captivating experience! For an additional $15, you can ascend upstairs and sit right in front of where a pianist performs the church's music, creating a fantastic experience. This performance occurs twice daily; I attended the 1:30 pm show. The surrounding neighborhood is also a delight to explore.

Armin Keymaram - 1 month ago

4 Star Rating Amazing, gorgeous, and historic piece of architecture that is a must-see for tourists visiting Montreal. I will say, it's a bit of a tourist trap as it was fairly expensive and not much to see as part was under construction and I'm not even entirely sure if they let you off the ground floor even when it's not being worked on. Despite this, due to the historic nature and captivating beauty, I would still recommend it, but don't expect to spend much more than a half hour unless youre paying for a guided tour or some other perk package.

Paul Verrilli - 1 month ago

5 Star Rating The most beautiful church I have ever seen..!!you can het a online ticket if you don’t want to stand in a long waiting line. It takes hardly 30 minutes to see entire church. Inside work is just mesmerising. Outside you may find some singers or musicians playing some background music which was amazing. We spent almost 30-40 min there. Everyone was enjoying soothing music with their families or friends. It was a really nice experience.

snehal ganeshkar - 14 days ago

Accommodations near Notre Dame Basilica:

Directions

Metro Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Line 2 - OrangePlace-d'Armes4 Minutes

How to get to Notre Dame Basilica by Metro

By Metro: Take Metro Line 2 to Place-d'Armes; exit and go right (south) on St. Urbain Street. You will see the Basilica straight ahead as you approach.

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Photo Gallery

Video


This video taken durning a light show at the Notre Dame Basilca shows off some of its amazing beauty and detail.
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