Notre Dame Basilica

The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is a breathtaking masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, situated in the heart of Old Montreal. Walking into the basilica, I was instantly captivated by the vibrant colors and intricate details of its interior. The high vaulted ceilings, adorned with stars, and the stunning blue and gold hues create a heavenly atmosphere that feels both grand and intimate. The altar is a true centerpiece, intricately carved and illuminated in warm, golden light. The stained-glass windows, unlike many traditional churches, depict scenes from Montreal’s religious history, which adds a unique local context. The combination of artistry and craftsmanship throughout the basilica left me in awe. The experience is further elevated by the peaceful ambiance and the occasional soft organ music that echoes through the space. It’s a serene retreat from the bustle of the city, and I highly recommend taking the time to sit and soak in the beauty. The evening Aura light show, which I also attended, brought the basilica to life in a whole new way, combining music and lighting to celebrate its architectural wonder.
Luciano Carvalho - 2 weeks ago

A beautiful cathedral inside and outside. The artwork, stain glass windows, sculptures etc were incredible to see. The staff were very friendly and helpful as well. Only reason for the 4 stars vs 5 is the price to enter of $16pp. The venue isn’t large and can easily finish seeing everything in ~30 mins. Regardless, a must bucket list visit if visiting Montreal.
Alroy Chan - 3 weeks ago

The exterior of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal truly reflects the grandeur of Gothic architecture. However, it was slightly disappointing not to fully appreciate its beauty due to ongoing restoration work. Inside, the stunning stained glass windows and intricately decorated altar go beyond mere religious symbols, resembling masterpieces of art. In some ways, the beauty of the art seems to deepen the sense of reverence within the religious experience. The combination of blue and gold colors is visually striking, yet conveys a sense of calm. The Aura show I attended in the evening was an extraordinary experience that further accentuated the magnificence of the basilica. Aura is a multimedia show that combines light, music, and the architectural beauty of the basilica, offering a unique reinterpretation of the space. However, with similar patterns repeating over the course of the 30-minute show, it did feel a bit monotonous at times. After the Aura show, visitors are given time to explore the basilica, but it felt too crowded to fully appreciate the space due to the large number of Aura attendees. I recommend visiting the basilica during its opening hours in the morning for a more peaceful tour, and then returning in the evening for the Aura show separately.
HK Yang - a month ago

Stunning interior with lots of information about the church. It's also a lovely place to just stop and sit for awhile. Unfortunately our aura show was canceled due to technical issues (it was our last day there so I'm so sad I may never get to see it now), but the staff were all lovely and they were quick to have tickets refunded. I'm still glad we were able to experience the architecture and history
Ashley LeBourveau-Truong - 2 weeks ago

One of the most magnificent buildings and churches in Canada, worth to go if you are local or a traveller to Montreal. The tickets are not expensive and much worth the price. The stuff was friendly, we bought tickets in advance bit arrive there quite late around 5pm. The stuff let us in and allowed us to leave at 6pm so that we can spend more time inside. This is very kind. The history of the building is also very deep and the atmosphere was holy.
Logan Supter - a month ago