Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum
A magnificent old chapel, a museum and an archaeological site all in one, there is much to explore at Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
Montreal has not just one, but two Notre-Dame churches, both located in Old Montreal. The Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel is a magnificent building, both inside and out.
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.
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.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: YesNotre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 400 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1H4, Canada
Phone: (514) 282-8670
Official Website: Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel Reviews
Rated out of 5
Around Bonsecours Street, there are three (3) historical memorial public influences to know about: the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel and the museum of Marguerite Bourgeoys. The chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours (Lady of Good Help) is Montreal’s oldest stone church, sitting for hundreds of years.
Siting very close to the Saint-Laurent River, as the port became busier, the chapel became very popular among the sailors who paid tribute to Notre-Dame-of-Bon-Secours for their safety. The Sailor’s Church interior pays homage to its title with miniature ships suspended from the ceiling.
Admission is free, but going to the top costs some bucks. However, it gives you a panoramic view of the old port of Montreal.
Sanjay Gupta - a week ago
I always thought this was one of the cutest churches in the old port but I had never been to the museum or the Belvedere. This happens to be the oldest church with a stunning view of the city. You can go to the underground part to see some art or the Belvedere to see a view of the city and you won’t regret the visit.
ma - 4 months ago
Beautiful church. A bit small but the decor and architecture from the outside is amazing. Inside there are some historic art pieces and the music catholic stained glad glass.
Leonard - 3 months ago
This temple gives me a warm and peaceful feeling. Too bad I didn't explore the underground old church nor the tower. Nonetheless I enjoyed the sitting and mediating in the chapel.
Roger Mak - 4 months ago
I'm not a big fan of church tourism (it's free to visit the church) but I was impressed by the lookout and by the old archeological part. It was a short visit and definitely worth it as it shows a great part of the Montreal history
Pablo Listingart - 4 months ago
Directions
| Metro Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 2 - Orange | Champ-de-Mars | 5 Minutes |
How to get to Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel by Metro
By Metro: Make your way to Champ-de-Mars Metro Station on Line 2 and take the Saint_Antoine Sud (South) exit. Walk to your right (south) along Rue Gosford to Rue Saint Paul and turn to your left. The chapel is on the right hand side just beyond Bonsecour Market.
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Photo Gallery
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Looking towards Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours and Bonsecours Market from Rue St-Paul cc licensed photo by Yuri Long -
Photo Credit: archer10 (Dennis) - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: archer10 (Dennis) - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: archer10 (Dennis) - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: archer10 (Dennis) - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: archer10 (Dennis) - cc license via Flickr
