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: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 9:00 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 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 week 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 week ago
Definitely a must see if stopping in Montreal,
this iconic landmark offers an unforgettable experience. Our ticket purchase went fast with no issues with a cost of $16.00 per adult, on a weekend it may be best to order tickets in advance as the line ups could be long. The church is an absolute masterpiece, the stunning architecture, breathtaking interior, amazing craftsmanship is something to take in and admire.
We absolutely loved all of old Montreal and look forward to going back again.
Natalie E - 2 weeks ago
What amazing architecture, staggeringly talented craftsman starting building this monument 200 plus years ago & a bear complete restoration began in 2020.
$13 each for seniors to enter, medium sized crowd when we visited midweek.
Close stroll to old Town shops & restaurants.
William Diggs - 2 weeks ago
First and foremost, this church is a must-see attraction in Montreal. Although one of its towers is currently undergoing restoration, its exterior is quite impressive. However, the true marvel lies within its interior, which is awe-inspiring and comparable to some of the finest churches I have visited in Europe. Additionally, I highly recommend attending the light show called AURA, as it is well worth the cost. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to visit this historic church during your stay in Montreal.
Arkady Khazin - a month 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: Gunn Shots ! - 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.
