Highlights of Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal), built between 1824 and 1829, is one of North America’s oldest Gothic Revival religious buildings. When completed, it was the largest Christian church in North America.
“Notre-Dame” means “Our Lady” in French and refers to the Virgin Mary. A Notre-Dame is a Christian church or cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The name “Notre-Dame Cathedral” often refers to Notre-Dame de Paris, but it has no direct connection to Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.
Discover Paris attractions and city walks in the article below.
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is known for its beautiful interior and is often called a jewel of Canadian religious architecture.
In 1994, Canada’s internationally acclaimed singer Céline Dion held her wedding ceremony at this location.
Façade facing Place d’Armes
The basilica faces Place d'Armes. Its twin-towered façade rises among the stone buildings of Old Montreal, and the square offers a view of the entire structure. The imposing exterior, which contrasts with the interior decoration, is another highlight.
The Blue Ceiling and Altar
The ceiling resembles the night sky, with golden stars scattered across a blue background.
The area around the altar is illuminated, bringing out the predominantly blue and gold decorations.
The pipe organ and decorative details
This pipe organ was made by Casavant Frères. It has 7,000 pipes, the longest of which measures 32 feet (approximately 9.75 meters). When completed, it was the largest organ in North America.
Masterful craftsmanship is evident in every detail.
Old Montreal
Old Montreal has historical and cultural attractions that can be visited along with the basilica. Exploring not only the basilica’s interior but also the surrounding streetscape makes it easier to picture how you might spend your time in the old town.
Our Old Montreal article introduces attractions around the basilica and tips for exploring the historic district on foot. Take a look when planning your walk through the city.
Essential information about Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
The information below was checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official website
- The official website provides information about sightseeing visits, the AURA experience, Masses, and group visits.
Évènements et billetsL'église-mère de Montréalwww.basiliquenotredame.ca - 📍 Address
- 110, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal (Québec) H2Y 1T1 Canada
- 🕒 Visiting hours
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- Monday–Saturday: 9:00–16:00 (Eastern Daylight Time, HAE)
- Sunday: 12:30–16:00 (Eastern Daylight Time, HAE)
⚠️ Hours may change without notice. The hours page lists 16:00 as the closing time, while the FAQ gives the last admission time as 16:30. This discrepancy has not been resolved.
- 💶 Sightseeing admission
- Adult sightseeing admission starts at CA$16, before tax. Ticket-specific prices and purchase methods are explained in detail below under “Tickets for Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.”
- ⏱️ Duration
- A self-guided visit takes about 1 hours. ⚠️ The duration varies depending on how quickly you view the artworks and interpretation panels. Additional time is needed if you also take part in the AURA experience.
Tickets for Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
- 💶 Sightseeing admission
-
- Adults: from CA$16
- Seniors (age 65 and over): from CA$15
- Students (ages 17–22): from CA$14
- Children (ages 6–16): from CA$10
- Age 5 and under: free
Prices are before tax. Group and family rates are also available.
- 🎫 Purchase
- Tickets can be purchased on site during normal opening hours. After 16:00, purchase is available online or by phone. Advance purchase is recommended for the AURA experience. ⚠️ The pricing and AURA pages state that tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged, but the FAQ says that a change may be requested up to 48 hours before the start time, subject to availability. Check the conditions before purchasing.
- 🌃 AURA experience
- A separate ticketed evening program featuring light and music. Adults from CA$37, ages 65 and over from CA$32, students ages 17–22 from CA$31, ages 6–16 from CA$22, and free for ages 5 and under. Prices are before tax and vary between weekdays and weekends, including Fridays.
How to get to Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica
The basilica's official information recommends Place-d'Armes station on the Orange Line of the metro for access.
From Place-d'Armes Station, walk east along Rue Saint-Sulpice for about 5 minutes to reach Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.
Accessibility and cars
The basilica is partially accessible, with a wheelchair ramp at the main entrance. It has no dedicated parking, so drivers should use paid street parking or paid parking facilities in Old Montreal.
The related guide “【モントリオール】観光スポット・グルメ・交通・モデルコースを解説” is currently available only in Japanese.
