Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal, Canada

Reviewed by Elena Voss · SSMTour Travel Editor

A photograph of Notre-Dame Basilica — Photograph · Jeangagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0

Monday	09:00 – 16:00
Tuesday	09:00 – 16:00
Wednesday	09:00 – 16:00
Thursday	09:00 – 16:00
Friday	09:00 – 16:00
Saturday	09:00 – 16:00
Sunday	12:30 – 16:00

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Today: Open today, 09:00 – 16:00
Visit duration: 30 min
Accessibility: Partly step-free
Price: Not recorded
Standing: Must see · Heritage site
Rank: Rank 2 of 6,054

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Place details and sources

This place is a Attraction. It was built in the Gothic Revival style. It was designed by James O'Donnell. It is built of limestone. It carries the national historic site of Canada heritage designation.

Official website: www.basiliquenotredame.ca Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Telephone: +1 514-842-2925 OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Address: Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, 110, H2Y 1T1, Montréal OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Wheelchair access: Available OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Building: Church OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Type of place: Attraction OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Heritage designation: national historic site of Canada Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Architectural style: Gothic Revival Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Religion: Christian OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Denomination: Catholic OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Material: limestone Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Height: 60 m Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Architect: James O'Donnell Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Wikipedia article: Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal) Wikipedia · Checked 2026-09-09

About Notre-Dame Basilica

The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal stands as the city's principal Gothic Revival church and the defining interior of Old Montreal. Its twin towers rise above Place d'Armes, marking a historic focal point of the district. The basilica holds significance as a major religious and architectural landmark in Quebec. Construction of the present building began in the nineteenth century, replacing an earlier parish church. Monday–Saturday 09:00–16:00; Sunday 12:30–16:00, local time. These are daytime sightseeing hours. The operator publishes hours for all seven days, with no regular weekly closure day. Adult daytime sightseeing admission starts at CAD 16.00, including GST and QST.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

What's inside

The interior of Notre-Dame Basilica is renowned for its elaborate decorative program, featuring carved woodwork, painted surfaces, and stained glass windows. The sanctuary contains a pipe organ of substantial size, positioned above the main entrance. The chapel behind the main altar, known as the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Sacre-Coeur, offers additional ornate decoration with sculptural elements. Visitors regularly note the dramatic use of color and gilding throughout the nave. These are daytime sightseeing hours. The operator publishes hours for all seven days, with no regular weekly closure day. Adult daytime sightseeing admission starts at CAD 16.00, including GST and QST.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

How long to spend

A typical visit to Notre-Dame Basilica requires between thirty minutes and one hour for casual observation of the main interior spaces. Those wishing to examine architectural details, stained glass, or woodcarvings more deliberately may extend their stay. The Chapel of Notre-Dame du Sacre-Coeur warrants additional time for visitors interested in comparative decorative schemes. Adult daytime sightseeing admission starts at CAD 16.00, including GST and QST. Kéroul assessed the Basilica as partially accessible in 2025. The main entrance has a fixed wheelchair ramp, but Kéroul records an 11% slope.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Season and crowds

Visitors should consult the official website at basiliquenotredame.ca for current opening schedules before planning their visit. The basilica functions as an active place of worship, meaning religious services may restrict tourist access during certain periods. Seasonal variations in visitor volume affect the experience, with summer months typically drawing larger crowds to Old Montreal. Monday–Saturday 09:00–16:00; Sunday 12:30–16:00, local time. Use Place-d'Armes station on the Orange line. The Basilica is at 110 Notre-Dame Street West. It has no visitor parking; paid street spaces and paid Old Montréal parking facilities are the operator's stated alternatives.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Tickets

The official website should be consulted for current admission fees, as entry policies may have changed. Some historic churches in Montreal maintain separate fee structures for worship attendance versus tourist visitation. Visitors should verify whether cash, card, or advance online purchase is required. Adult daytime sightseeing admission starts at CAD 16.00, including GST and QST. Kéroul assessed the Basilica as partially accessible in 2025. The main entrance has a fixed wheelchair ramp, but Kéroul records an 11% slope. Entrance doors are not automatic and can be difficult to open; staff manually open the double door.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Getting there

Notre-Dame Basilica occupies a prominent position in Old Montreal on Place d'Armes, accessible by multiple transportation modes. The Place-d'Armes Metro station on the Orange Line provides direct underground access to the vicinity. Walking from other Old Montreal attractions is practical given the compact historic district. Use Place-d'Armes station on the Orange line. The Basilica is at 110 Notre-Dame Street West. It has no visitor parking; paid street spaces and paid Old Montréal parking facilities are the operator's stated alternatives. The main entrance has a fixed wheelchair ramp, but Kéroul records an 11% slope.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

What to watch out for

Visitors should observe respectful conduct appropriate to active religious premises, including modest dress and subdued behavior during services. The stone interior floors may prove slippery in wet conditions. Seating areas may be restricted during worship. Photography policies require verification on-site, as restrictions may apply to certain spaces or during religious functions. Pickpocketing awareness matches standard urban precautions. Kéroul assessed the Basilica as partially accessible in 2025. Entrance doors are not automatic and can be difficult to open; staff manually open the double door. An interior ramp is at least 87 cm wide but has a 9% slope.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Photography

Many historic churches impose restrictions on flash photography, tripod use, or commercial image capture to protect interiors and preserve worship atmosphere. The dramatic lighting conditions inside the basilica present technical challenges for casual photographers. Tripod restrictions are common in heavily visited religious sites. Drone photography would violate both aviation regulations and site protocols. An interior ramp is at least 87 cm wide but has a 9% slope.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source