Inside Notre-Dame Basilica
Step inside Notre-Dame Basilica, from its blue sanctuary to its stained glass, carved details, and organ pipes.
We visited Notre-Dame Basilica during our family trip to Montréal in September 2017. I took photographs of the church’s sweeping interior and its smaller details, from the stained glass to the organ pipes.
The church stands in Old Montréal, facing Place d’Armes. Its towers make a strong introduction, but the story continues inside, where architecture, sculpture, painting, and stained glass share the space.
A building shaped over time#
Architect James O’Donnell designed the present church in the Gothic Revival style. Construction took place between 1824 and 1829, with the towers completed later. The interior also changed over time. Much of its richly decorated appearance developed under architect Victor Bourgeau in the nineteenth century.
The church we see today took shape over many years. O’Donnell designed the building, while Bourgeau helped give the interior its richly decorated character.
Look closer#
The stained glass provides a connection to the city outside. The basilica explains that the west-side windows show scenes from Montréal’s history, while windows on the east side portray moments in the religious lives of notable parishioners. These are stories in glass as well as works of art.
The carved pulpit is another detail worth a closer look. Victor Bourgeau adapted designs by Henri Bouriché, and sculptor Louis-Philippe Hébert created its ornamentation. The organ adds a different kind of craftsmanship. Built by Casavant Frères and completed in 1891, it became part of the church’s musical life.
A place of worship#
Notre-Dame is a Roman Catholic basilica and an active place of worship. The sanctuary, statues, and biblical scenes are part of that religious life, as well as part of the building’s art and architecture.
These photographs and videos are from our September 2017 visit. Take a look around, from the main sanctuary to the Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Cœur chapel.
From the Montréal album#
Videos from the visit#
Sources and further reading#
Notre-Dame Basilica: History and Heritage