Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal)
110 Notre-Dame St. W., Montreal, QC, QC H2Y 1T1
The exterior of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal may look like any other Gothic Revival church, but the inside is where the true wonder lies. The pale blue ceiling is dotted and traced with gold, and the paintings, statues, and stained glass are richly colored. Despite being located in the busy streets of Old Montreal, the church is a calming respite from the buzz of the city.
The Basics
Notre-Dame Basilica is a major city attraction featured on hop-on hop-off bus tours and walking tours of Montreal. French and English guided tours are offered daily and are included in the admission price. Tours last 20 or 60 minutes, with the longer guided tour granting access to otherwise out-of-bounds areas in the intricately designed interior, such as the second balcony and part of the crypt. Some tours even allow you to get close to the famous Casavant organ.
Sightseers can also visit independently. After paying admission at the door, take one of the informational leaflets to guide you around the beautiful church.
Things to Know Before You Go
The basilica is a must-see for architecture fans.
Dress conservatively to ensure access to the religious site.
Notre-Dame Basilica is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Notre-Dame Basilica is located on Notre-Dame Street West, overlooking the Place d’Armes plaza in Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal). To get there, ride Montreal’s orange metro line to Place d’Armes.
When to Get There
The basilica is open year-round, but occasionally closes for special events such as weddings or funerals. Check ahead of time to make sure it’s open during your visit. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel (Chapelle Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur frequently closes during midday mass and on Saturdays for weddings. For your best chance of viewing it, try visiting in the early morning or late afternoon on a weekday instead.
Seeing Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel (Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur)
Located behind the main altar, the Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur is one of the most eye-catching parts of the church. Rebuilt using traditional methods after the old chapel was destroyed by fire in 1978, it is dominated by a huge 32-panel bronze altarpiece by Quebec sculptor Charles Daudelin.
Ways to explore
To experience the beautiful interior, book a self-guided day tour of the basilica, which has information plaques throughout, or the nighttime AURA Experience, a sound and light show that illuminates the cathedral and projects stunning imagery across its walls and ceiling. Combination tickets to enjoy both are also available.
Canada’s first Gothic Revival church also holds classical music and jazz concerts throughout the year, as well as daily Masses in French. Many guided tours of Old Montreal pass by the cathedral, though they typically don’t go inside.
Accessibility
Parts of the basilica are wheelchair accessible, and there’s a wheelchair ramp at the main entrance. Service animals are allowed.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Coins (if you want to light a candle), camera
What to wear
Modest clothing, good walking shoes
Not allowed
Food, beverages, pets
Amenities
Bathrooms, gift shop
Address
The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is in Old Montreal. It’s possible to drive there, but finding parking is challenging, and the streets are often closed or rerouted due to construction. Thankfully, Montreal has good public transport and a convenient bikeshare system.
Driving
From downtown, head northeast along Boulevard René-Lévesque, then turn right onto Rue de Bleury. Take a left onto Place d'Youville, right onto Rue de Callière, and left onto Rue Commune. Look for parking anywhere around Rue Saint-Sulpice.
Public transportation
Place-d'Armes is the nearest metro station, served by the Orange Line. From there, head east along Côte de la Place-d'Armes—you’ll get to the basilica in just a couple of minutes.
Best times to visit
The opening hours depend on the day, due to the Mass schedule. Book your ticket in advance if you want to make your plans concrete.
Best days to visit
Avoid Sundays and Thursdays, which have reduced visiting hours; otherwise, visit whenever works for you.
Best months to visit
In general, May to June is the best time to visit Montreal—the weather is warm and sunny, the streets bustle with life, and the days are long.
Special events
An assortment of Christmas concerts is held throughout December, making it a fantastic time to visit the church.
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