Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal Reviews (Montreal, Quebec)

Heavenly Majestic!

by CarolinaPanthers1983

Jacksonville, North Carolina

July 27, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo When visiting this church, you feel like a higher being is touching your soul. This church is well-known all over Canada, and it is a VERY popular church. Before I tell my experience when visiting this church, I shall add a little bit of history ...Read more When visiting this church, you feel like a higher being is touching your soul. This church is well-known all over Canada, and it is a VERY popular church. Before I tell my experience when visiting this church, I shall add a little bit of history to set the mood.

In 1657, the Roman Catholic Sulpician Order arrived in Ville-Marie, now known as Montreal; six years later the seigneury of the island was vested in them. They ruled until 1840. The parish they founded was dedicated to the Holy Name of Mary, and the parish church of Notre-Dame was built on the site in 1672. François Baillairgé, an architect, designed the interior decoration and choir 1785-95; facade & vault decoration, 1818. The church served as the first cathedral of the Diocese of Montreal from 1821 to 1822. By 1824 the congregation had completely outgrown the church, and James O'Donnell, an Irish-American Protestant from New York, was commissioned to design the new building. O'Donnell was a proponent of the Gothic Revival architectural movement, and designed the church as such. He is the only person buried in the church's crypt. O'Donnell converted to Catholicism on his deathbed perhaps due to the realization that he might not be allowed to be buried in his church]

The main construction work took place between 1824 and 1829. The cornerstone was laid at Place d"Armes on September 1, 1824. The sanctuary was finished in 1830, and the first tower in 1841, the second in 1843. On its completion, the church was the largest in North America. It remained the largest in North America for over fifty years.[6] A new pipe organ was built in 1858 by Samuel Russell Warren.
pipe organ at Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal)

The interior took much longer, and Victor Bourgeau, who also worked on Montreal's Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, worked on it from 1872 to 1879. Stonemason John Redpath was a major participant in the construction of the Basilica. Because of the splendour and grand scale of the church, a more intimate chapel, Chapelle du Sacré-Cœur (Chapel of the Sacred Heart), was built behind it, along with some offices and a sacristy. It was completed in 1888. In 1886 Casavant Frères began building a new 32-foot pipe organ at the church, completing it in 1891. It was notably the first organ with adjustable-combination pedals to be operated by electricity.

My family visiting this church, and I was taken aback when I saw this church. I felt like a giant was towering over me getting ready to crush me like an ant. My family and I went into the church. The price of the church as very reasonable. For $5 per adult, I paid $10 Canadian dollars. We went into the church. Immediately, I felt as thought God was was touching my soul. The church had a tranquil atmosphere that was peaceful. What was more amazing was the church was not crowded. My family and I could see the church by ourselves. If you want to take a tour guide, you don't have to pay extra. You may have to wait for a tour guide because the guides takes about 30 to 40 minutes. You can listen to the tour guide either in English, or if you want to try your hand , you can listen to French.

My family and I walked around the church. What was amazing to me was that even though the church looks HUGE outside, the church is small inside. Maybe because it seemed small inside because certain paths were closed off to tourists. The church offers a variety of amazing scenery (You can check out the photos). Every aspect of this church, I took time to savor every part of this church.

Overall, this church is a MUST visit. I highly recommend ALL visitor of Montréal visit this church at least one time. As a person who love visiting different churches as a visitor, this is the best church that I have visited in my life. The church is clearly well-kept, and the citizens of this church value this church to no end. Worth visiting!!!
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From journal Finally, I Can Use My French! Part Deux!

Beautiful!

by RLB2

Scarborough, England, United Kingdom

November 10, 2011

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This is Montreal's oldest Catholic cathedral, built in 1656 and found in Old Montreal. It's a pretty average looking church from the outside and you do have to pay an admission to go inside. However, I don't mind paying to contribute to the upkeep ...Read more

From journal Summer in Montreal

Impressive and Awe-Inspiring Cathedral

by angelasnell79

Epsom, New Hampshire

August 30, 2011

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The Notre Dame Bascilica is one of the oldest structures in Montreal, located in the heart of Vieux-Montreal (old town). For a $5.00 admission fee you can self-guide yourself through the cathedral, admiring its many gorgeous stained-glass windows, ...Read more

From journal Birthday in Montreal!

Blue-tiful atmosphere

by tvordj

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

November 11, 2009

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Notre-Dame basilica is on a site where a church has existed almost since the founding of Montreal in the 17th century. The present building dates to the mid 19th century but the interior is newer, dating to the beginning of the 20th century. You can ...Read more

From journal November in Montreal

Notre-Dame Basilica

by ssullivan

District of Columbia County, District of Columbia

April 22, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo The grandest building in Vieux-Montréal, if not the entire city, is the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal, an amazing structure constructed in just five years between 1824 and 1829. For the next few decades, this was the largest religious building in ...Read more The grandest building in Vieux-Montréal, if not the entire city, is the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal, an amazing structure constructed in just five years between 1824 and 1829. For the next few decades, this was the largest religious building in North America, until it was surpassed by New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Compared to some of the mega-churches that exist in the larger American cities today, the Basilica may not seem all that large by modern standards. But in the third decade of the 19th Century, the Basilica was an incredible symbol of French Catholicism in a city that was becoming increasingly more Anglophone and Protestant.

While the exterior of the Gothic-Revival Basilica is impressive, it’s really rather average. The structure’s interior is where the real beauty is found. Walking into the dimly lit Basilica, visitors’ eyes are immediately drawn to the stunning carvings, gilded columns, and the enormous altar, all dramatically bathed in theatrical lighting that highlights the sanctuary’s deep hues of cobalt blue, green, red, and gold. This striking interior is the work of architect Victor Bourgeau, who transformed the originally stern interior into the current design between 1874 and 1880. Inspired by Paris’s Ste-Chapelle, Bourgeau designed an interior creates the illusion of a night sky, with a deep blue vaulted ceiling adorned with hundreds, if not thousands, of hand-painted gilded stars. This "sky" is broken by three large rose windows in the ceiling, through which natural light is filtered through multi-colored panes of glass into the sanctuary. Surrounding the sanctuary are a series of wood columns, carved by hand, and adorned with gilt tops, that support the two balconies that run the sanctuary’s full length. About halfway between the narthex and the altar is the graceful circular pulpit, reached by a spiral staircase. At the staircase’s base, several carvings of prophets can be found. Turning around, toward the narthex, visitors will see some of the approximately 7,000 pipes that comprise the Basilica’s four manual, 97 stop Casavant-Frères organ, parts of which date to 1891.

As beautiful as the rest of the sanctuary is, the real highlight is the massive altar. Centered around the crucifix are nearly life-size sculptures of Biblical figures, including Moses, Abraham, Aaron, St. Peter, St. Paul, and Mary. All of these are centered around the theme of the Eucharist, with angels surrounding them. All of this is dramatically lit from behind, and cast against a wall of deep cobalt blue, giving the altar an almost heavenly glow. It’s almost impossible to take it all in at once, because there is so much detail to the scene.

There is a nominal admission charge to enter the Basilica, but it is well worth the small donation to witness this incredible place in person. No matter what your faith or personal beliefs are, it is almost impossible not to feel the presence of something greater than mankind here.

For more information on tours and services, see the Basilica’s website. Close

From journal Weekend in Montréal

Notre Dame Basilica

by Lori Lynn

ottawa, Ontario

March 10, 2003

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This richly ornate church is the jewel of Old Montreal. Used for state funerals and weddings, its delicately painted frescoes, walls, and ceilings inspire the most disspirited soul to rejoice. Pay for the tour, it's worth it. This is the site of a ...Read more

From journal Montreal, the Paris of North America

Notre Dame Basilica

by Rachelle

North Salem, New York

June 22, 2002

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This Magnificent stucture was built in 1829. It is probably one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen; it is simply breathtaking. There is a small intresting museum next to the chapel dealing with the history of the church and Roman ...Read more

From journal Montreal Grand Prix Weekend

Basilica Notre Dame

by funkipickle

Ystradgynlais, United Kingdom

April 1, 2002

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Best of IgoUgo Don't miss the Basilica Notre Dame. Designed by Irish architect James O'Donnell, the Basilica is simply breathtaking. The main body of the Basilica is bathed in blue light and 23 carat gold leaf stars which adorn the domed ceiling. The altar focuses ...Read more

From journal Lonely Winter in Montreal?-Highly unlikely!

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

by Jeffrey

Plano, Texas

April 14, 2001

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Best of IgoUgo This incredible church dates back to the 1820's when it was built, and its parishoners date back to the mid-1600's and the founding of the city. The interior is awesome. There are wood handcarvings, stained glass, paintings, and sculptures that ...Read more

From journal Downtown Montreal

Basilica of Notre Dame

by Binky

Troy, Michigan

March 19, 2001

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This is an absolutely beautiful church, riviling many I saw in Europe. Well worth the CAN$2 admission fee. Try to get on a free tour so you can spend less time reading the brochure and more time looking around. Don't forget to go to the back of ...Read more

From journal Long Weekend in Montreal

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Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

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Heavenly Majestic!

Beautiful!

Impressive and Awe-Inspiring Cathedral

Blue-tiful atmosphere

Notre-Dame Basilica

Notre Dame Basilica

Notre Dame Basilica

Basilica Notre Dame

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

Basilica of Notre Dame