When it was first built in the mid-19th century, Notre Dame Basilica (or the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal, in French, still the primary language of Québéc) was the largest church in North America. It has since been eclipsed in terms of square footage by the modern evangelical mega-churches in the South and Midwest, but Notre Dame still surely ranks as one of the most spectacular. And with a prime spot in the heart of Old Montreal fronting onto Place D’Armes, its quaint environs of cobblestone streets and European architecture add to its old-world charm.
You don’t need to squint too hard to see the French-Catholic influence, but then this is the Québécois heartland, after all. With the twin towers on the outside reminiscent of its Parisian namesake, the Gothic revival interior is extraordinarily ornate, combining incredible detail and the traditional Gothic sharp arches with a modern twist of dramatic accent lighting in a range of hues, especially a rich blue. The effect isn’t what you’d call subtle, and it’s perilously close to something Disney would dream up, but it is quite something to behold.
Photos of Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica
What to Know Before You Go
Like other active churches, it’s sometimes closed for services and events.
Where to Next?
Guidebooks for Canada
If you're looking for a guidebook to make the most of your visit, these are some of the most popular ones currently for Canada. Some are available in both paper and e-book formats.
- Sainsbury, Brendan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- DK Eyewitness (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Berry, Oliver (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Travel Insurance For Your Trip to Canada
I never travel without travel insurance, and I've run into several situations where I've had to make claims. I consider it essential.
But shopping for travel insurance can be a pain and confusing. Thankfully, there are some travel insurance comparison sites that show you a wide range of plans, make it easy to compare coverage, and can save you money at the same time. And the coverage can be much better tailored to your specific needs than the checkbox offering at travel booking sites or through your credit card.
These are some good places to shop for travel insurance for your next trip to Canada :
Hopefully, you won't need it, but if something goes wrong, you'll sure be glad you have it!