Highlights of Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Ottawa
Neo-Gothic Exterior
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is Ottawa’s oldest and largest church. Churches with the same name are also found in Montreal and Quebec City, and all are popular tourist attractions.
It became the cathedral of the Diocese of Bytown in 1847. The design, remodelled in the Neo-Gothic style in 1845, was completed in 1858 as a façade with spires. The two slender spires also serve as a landmark when walking along Sussex Drive. It was granted the status of a minor basilica in 1879 and designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990.
The giant spider sculpture in the foreground of the photo is “Maman” at the National Gallery of Canada, across the street. Framing the cathedral’s spires and Maman in the same view reveals the scene along Sussex Drive, where historic stone architecture faces contemporary art.
The article below introduces the highlights and exhibition spaces of the National Gallery of Canada.
Decoration of the nave and altar
Image: Concierge.2C / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped, resized, and sharpened)At the end of the nave, beneath a vault patterned with a blue starry sky, stand the high altar and a 16-meter reredos. The decorative ensemble adorning the chancel was created by artisans between 1876 and 1885. Most of the stained-glass windows were replaced with 17 works made by Guido Nincheri between 1956 and 1961, depicting scenes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
Basic information about Notre-Dame Cathedral in Ottawa
- 🔗 Official website
- The cathedral’s official website provides information on visits, worship services, and current entrance details.
リンク先を開く（notredameottawa.com）www.notredameottawa.com
- 📍 Location
- 56 Guigues Ave, Ottawa, ON K1N 5H5, Canada
- 🕒 Visiting hours
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- Monday–Friday:9:00–18:00
- Saturday and Sunday:9:00–19:00
⚠️ Visiting hours may change at short notice due to funerals, weddings, and other liturgical services. Tourist visits are not permitted during Mass, but you may attend Mass.
- 💶 Admission
- Admission is free.
- ⚠️ Access
- The main entrance on Sussex Street is temporarily closed for renovations. Use the entrance on St. Patrick Street or Guigues Avenue.
- ⏱️ Time needed
- Allow about 30–45 minutes to see the exterior and interior of the building. ⚠️ The time needed varies depending on Masses and liturgical services, entrance changes, and how long you spend inside.
Getting to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Ottawa
Take city buses 1 and 9 to Dalhousie Street, then walk 2 blocks west from the stop to reach the cathedral. As the main entrance on Sussex Street is currently unavailable, use the entrance on St. Patrick Street or Guigues Avenue. If arriving by car, there is paid parking behind the cathedral; the entrance is on Parent Avenue.