Notre Dame Basilica
If you appreciate beautiful historical buildings and architecture the Basilica of Notre-Dame is a must see
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
Fee: Various admission fees apply, see the website for the full fee schedule.Notre Dame Basilica Hours:
Opening 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
Notre Dame Basilica Reviews
Rated out of 5
The light show is absolutely breathtaking—truly beyond words! It was incredibly beautiful and awe-inspiring, easily the highlight of our trip to Montreal. The interior of the basilica is stunningly detailed and magnificent. I would definitely return to see it again if I have the chance. Highly recommend this unforgettable experience!
Millie Ni - a month ago
My husband and I recently visited the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The light show was absolutely breathtaking – words can’t do justice to how stunning it was and the sense of awe it left us with. It was definitely the highlight of our trip! Inside, the basilica is even more impressive, with its intricate details and stunning architecture around every corner. If you're in Montreal, I highly recommend visiting – it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. I’ll definitely be returning next time we’re in town!
Alisha Lal - a month ago
Such a beauty. You have to buy a ticket to enter the place. They have discounted ticket for students and seniors. I loved this place it was so pleasant to sit in there other than the tourists talking. We sat on the corner then the main seating area for some quiet and peace. Will definitely visit again.
aarya vichare - 2 weeks ago
I found it to be overwhelming. There is so much to see plus it was calming and quiet. The architecture was amazing. The organ is the second largest in the world. Our visiting time was an hour. Some people are there longer depending on how close you study everything. There is a separate prayer room open to anyone. I feel anyone would enjoy and should go and see the beauty of it .
david moultroup - 2 months 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 - 3 months ago
Directions
| Metro Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 2 - Orange | Place-d'Armes | 4 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.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near Notre Dame Basilica:
Photo Gallery
-
Some of the incrediblily beautiful details inside Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica cc licensed photo by Ryan Hyde -
Photo Credit: Nick Fewings 5 Million Views - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: kasio69 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: szeke - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: archer10 (Dennis) - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Joe Passe - cc license via Flickr
Video
Please provide consent and/or disable ad blocker to view the video.
