Discover the must-sees
Dominating the side of Mount Royal, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, one of the largest basilicas in the world, is a powerful feature of the Montreal landscape.
This impressive site was created in the early 20th century following the initiative of Brother André, a prominent figure in local history. Construction began in 1924 and was completed in 1966 and showed exceptional architectural ambition. This large site attracts visitors all year with its concerts, magnificent garden and lookout, recognized as one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset.
Built between 1870 and 1894, the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral (website in French only) catches the eye with its Neo-Baroque style inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
This building, which stands among the city’s skyscrapers, features monumental proportions, numerous statues overlooking René-Lévesque Boulevard, and rich architectural details that contrast with the modern towers surrounding it.
Interesting fact: it was the first building in Montreal to cost more than $1 million to build!
Located downtown, but just a stone’s throw from Old Montreal, Saint Patrick’s Basilica tells an important part of Montreal’s history.
Inaugurated in 1847, this basilica (the oldest English-speaking Catholic church in the city) stands out for its neo-Gothic architecture, magnificent mosaics, and refined details. It serves as a meeting place for people from all walks of life and a strong symbol of identity for the Irish-Canadian community.
An article about Montreal’s heritage wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Notre-Dame Basilica. The spectacular interior and sculpted decor of this basilica make it one of the most visited historic sites in Canada.
Built between 1824 and 1829 according to the plans of Irish-American architect James O’Donnell, this basilica has seen many memorable cultural events, including a concert by famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti in 1978 and the wedding of Céline Dion in 1994. Today, it continues to reinvent itself thanks to the immersive AURA experience, created by Moment Factory, which enhances the architecture of the basilica with a multimedia show combining projections, music, and light stations.
The Marguerite-Bourgeoys Historic Site includes a museum and a chapel, built in 1771 on the remains of an older building.
This site, which is also an archaeological site, takes visitors back in time to the early days of the French colony. Marguerite Bourgeoys, a pioneer in education in New France as early as 1653, plays a central role in the historical presentation. Today, the site is a museum that sheds light on the origins of the city.
In the Ahuntsic neighbourhood, on the banks of the Rivière des Prairies, stands the oldest church on the island of Montreal. Built between 1749 and 1752, the Church of La Visitation-de-la-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie dates back to the era of New France.
Expanded in the 19th century by architect John Ostell in an English neoclassical style, it retains distinctive features, notably its bell towers, each housing five bells that came from London and Rome. Still active today, it hosts classical and contemporary pop concerts, adding a modern cultural dimension to this historical heritage.
