Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal)
Church Gothic Revival basilica famous for ornate interior and acoustics
Gothic Revival church in Old Montreal noted for an ornate wooden interior, stained glass and a major organ. Visitors attend services, concerts and guided tours of the sanctuary.
Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal is a large Gothic Revival Roman Catholic church located in Old Montreal and designed by architect James O’Donnell. Construction of the current basilica began in 1824 and the building was substantially completed in 1829.
The interior is noted for its richly carved wooden fittings, detailed ornamentation and stained-glass windows that depict the religious and civic history of Montreal rather than purely biblical scenes. The basilica houses a prominent pipe organ and is used both for regular worship and for public concerts.
The church was built to serve the growing Catholic population of Montreal in the 19th century and has undergone later additions and decorative work across the 19th and 20th centuries. It remains one of the city’s principal religious and cultural landmarks.
The basilica stands on Place d’Armes in Old Montreal, a short walk from the Old Port and central downtown; it is immediately accessible from Montreal’s public-transport network.
- Visitor access: Guided interior tours are offered and the basilica regularly hosts concerts and liturgies in addition to tourist visits.
- Architectural note: Designed by architect James O'Donnell in Gothic Revival style; exterior faces Place d'Armes in Old Montreal.
How to Get to Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal) #
Take the STM métro (Orange Line) to Place-d’Armes station - the basilica in Old Montreal sits on rue Notre-Dame Ouest about a 3-5 minute walk from the metro exits. It’s a short walk across Place d’Armes to 110 Notre‑Dame; taxis and buses serving Old Montreal also stop nearby along Saint‑Antoine and rue Notre‑Dame.
By car the basilica is in downtown Montreal; Montreal-Trudeau Airport is roughly 20 km away by road.
Tips for Visiting Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal) #
- Book tickets for the Aura light-and-sound show (evenings) or for guided tours online in advance-timed entries sell out, especially on summer weekends.
- Visit right at opening on weekday mornings to see the richly lit interior with far fewer tourists; mid-afternoon and evenings (outside the Aura show) are much busier.
- Enter via the main Rue Notre-Dame entrance to reach the ticket desk and the nave quickly; if you want interior photography without crowds, check the Basilica's schedule and aim for non-service times.
Best Time to Visit Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal) #
For fewer crowds inside the basilica, visit in the shoulder seasons (May or September-October) or mid-week outside peak summer tourism.
Weather & Climate near Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal) #
Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal)'s climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -15°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1015 mm/year), wettest in September, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -5°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 98 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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