Basilique Notre-Dame

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  • Address
    110 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Vieux-Montréal
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  • Phone
    842 2925
  • 08:00 - 16:30 Mon-Sat, 12:30 - 16:15 Sun

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Lonely Planet review

One of Montréal's most enduring symbols, the basilica occupies a site rich with three centuries of history. Besides religious services, the weddings and funerals of the city's well-known and well-heeled regularly take place here. Its most recent claim to fame was the baptism of Céline Dion's son in July 2001. Contrary to some tourist tales the basilica is not modeled on Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.

The Sulpicians commissioned James O'Donnell, a New York architect and Irish Protestant, to design what would be the largest church north of Mexico. Such was O'Donnell's dedication to the project that he converted to Catholicism so he could have his funeral in the basilica. Today, he's buried in the basement under the gift shop.

The Chapelle du Sacré Coeur (Sacred Heart Chapel) located behind the main hall is nicknamed the Wedding Chapel. It's so popular that couples might have to wait two years to tie the knot. The curious mix of styles emerged after a 1978 fire, when the chapel was rebuilt with a brass altar with abstract-modern motifs.

An evening sound and light display (adult/child around C$10 /around C$5 ; ; Tue-Thu, & Fri, & Sat) uses cutting-edge technology to tell the story of the church and the city.