Cathedrals & Basilicas

Montreal’s Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral (Cathédrale Marie Reine du Monde) is an European-inspired Basilica that also happens to be the seat of the Archdiocese for Montreal. The Cathedral is meant to be a scaled down version of the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It covers approximately one quarter of the area of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame in French) is one of Montreal’s landmark churches and one of the most beautiful churches in North America. Located in Old Montreal, the Notre-Dame Basilica features a Neo-Gothic style. It was opened in 1829 and was built to replace the original Notre-Dame church, which has since been demolished.

Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours Chapel (Our lady of Good Help Chapel) is the oldest church in Old Montreal. The chapel looks out to the Saint Laurence river and Montreal’s old Port. Because of this location, the church is often called the Sailor’s Church. In older days, many sailors who came to Montreal would come to the church to offer thanks to the Virgin for safe passage.

Montreal's St. Joseph Oratory ( Oratoire St-Joseph ) is a great basilica with a giant copper dome built in honor of St. Joseph, the patron saint of Canada. It is recognized as one of the great spiritual centers of the world and attracts more than two million visitors a year. At 263 meters (863 ft.), the shrine of St. Joseph is the highest point in Montreal. Its dome, at 97 meters (313 ft.), is second in size only to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.