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Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings are the quietest. A Sunday visit at 10 a.m. is worthwhile for the magnificent organ sound during mass.
Budget tips
Admission is free, donations are welcome. A tower tour or audio guides cost a small fee of about 5-10 CAD.
Recommended for
History enthusiasts, Architecture fans, Photography enthusiasts, Art lovers
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Quick facts: Over 500-year-old wood carvings adorn the walls, each with its own hidden meaning. The cathedral has one of the largest church organs in Canada with over 5,000 pipes.
Highlights: Directly above the main entrance sits a 2.5 meter tall Madonna statue made of solid gold, which seems to almost glow at sunset. The stained glass rose windows cast a spectacular play of colors onto the 60-meter-long marble interior in the afternoons.
Insider tips
- Sit in the third row on the left for 5 minutes and look up, the rose window reveals its full effect there.
- The small souvenir shop in the side aisle sells handmade candles from monks, a special keepsake.
- Photograph without flash, then even pictures of the ceiling frescoes are allowed.
- Combine the visit with a walk through the adjacent Major's Hill Park for the perfect view of the church towers.
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