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Travelogue | Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

One thing I didn’t know about Montreal before going there last summer, was that it’s a city full of churches. Many grand old churches dot the landscape, from Vieux-Montréal to Mont-Royal.
“This is the first time I was ever in a city where you couldn’t throw a brick without breaking a church window.” – Mark Twain said this of the city in 1881 and it still remains true.
I loved seeing these churches pop up everywhere since I love visiting churches when I travel. It’s where I take refuge, and whether I’m in Lyon or New York, there’s always a comforting familiarity to them. Also, churches are often a great insight into the architecture, art, culture and history of that city.
There are some pretty spectacular churches in Montreal, some with magnificent buildings and lavish interiors; others are quaint and charming and some have deep ties to the origins of the city.

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

I tried to see some of the bigger churches – we went up to Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Canada’s largest church; visited the splendid St. Patrick’s Basilica which is rooted in Irish Canadian heritage; the impressive Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral and of course the magnificent Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal.

Montreal’s Notre Dame may not look like the grandest church from the outside, but its captivating interiors are unlike anything I’ve seen before. It’s a magnificent display of glittering rich blues and gold, ornate and amazingly detailed.

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

It’s a combination of golden sculptures and rare wooden carvings, sky-high midnight blue ceilings, stained glass windows illustrating the church’s history, gilded statues, paintings and the most splendid floor-to-ceiling altar.

The church has a famed grand Casavant pipe organ and its bell, le Gros Bourdon, is the largest in North America. Built in the mid-19th century, its dramatic Gothic Revival architecture is still considered one of the most spectacular in the world. It’s located in the heart of Old Montreal overlooking the cobblestoned square Place d’Armes.

Notre-Dame Basilica
110 Notre-Dame Street West
Montréal, QC H2Y 1T2

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal

Basilica de Notre Dame, Montréal


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4 Comments

  • Reply Aarika Chilson

    I MUST go there! Your pictures are absolutely stunning. You really capture the beautiful light and ornamentation. Wow! This is going on my bucket list of places to visit. p.s. I love your blog title. =) “The Whinery” is such a cute name.

    22 March, 2016 at 11:59 pm
    • Reply Elsa | the whinery

      Thank you so much Aarika! It truly is a place of beauty, hope it goes on your list and you get to go! 🙂

      25 March, 2016 at 5:53 pm
  • Reply grace

    some words that come to my mind are breathtaking, awesome, and magnificent. i feel compelled to add this place to my bucket list!

    23 March, 2016 at 7:27 am
    • Reply Elsa | the whinery

      You should! It’s totally bucket list worthy, you won’t regret it. 🙂

      25 March, 2016 at 5:51 pm

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