Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum

The chapel that is currently on the site was built in 1771 which is very old by North American standards. It replaced the original Chapel which was completed in 1678 but later, with the exception of the stature and the reliquary, was destroyed by a fire in 1754.

Located on the Saint Lawrence River the chapel was a popular place of worship and prayer for sailors who came into the port and thus became widely known as the sailor's church. Replicas of sailing ships hang from the ceiling as a reminder of this heritage. Speaking of the ceiling, it, along with the rest of the interior, are nothing short of spectacular. Be sure to click on this link to see a stunning interactive 360° view of the interior of this magnificent chapel.

A visit to the chapel would not be complete without also visiting the Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum located within. Marguerite Bourgeoys who lived in the 17th century was the first teacher in Montreal and it was her who founded the original Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel. The museum features a collection of art and artifacts that highlight the culture and history surrounding the chapel and its founder.

A bonus to visiting the museum is the opportunity to go up into the chapel tower which will afford you an excellent view of the Old Port of Montreal and the Saint Lawrence river.

But wait - there is even more to this interesting site! Below the floor of the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours is a remarkable archaeological site that was unearthed in 1996-1997 that unearthed not only the foundations of the original chapel and evidence of the fire, but also native artifacts dating back more than 2400 years; fascinating stuff indeed.

You can also inquire if there is an expert guide available to explore the museum with you in person. When available, there is no additional charge for this service.

Note that the museum is closed from the middle of January through April 30th except for prearranged group tours.

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