The great project

Notre-Dame Basilica: cracking stones

Nearly two hundred years of harsh weather have taken their toll on many of the stones that make up the towers of Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica. Some stones were even in danger of collapsing. Today, the restoration of these towers and the replacement of these stones pose unexpected technical, aesthetic, and heritage challenges.

Long-term work

Restoring Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica: preserving a heritage gem

Since 2019, the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, a neo-Gothic landmark in Old Montreal and witness to two centuries of history, is the subject of an ambitious restoration project. Considered as a giant puzzle by architects and workers alike, the project aims to preserve the architectural and artistic integrity of the building, while ensuring its perennity for future generations.

In numbers

The Basilica’s grand Casavant organ

Standing proudly on the north side of the building since 1891, the grand Casavant organ of Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica is much more than a decorative instrument: indeed, it is a monument within a monument. As large as a two-story house and featuring 7,000 pipes, every technical detail reflects both the boldness of Quebec’s organ builders and the unique acoustics of the Neo-Gothic nave.

Light and colours

The stained-glass windows of Notre Dame: from creation to conservation

The magnificent stained- glass windows of Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica are much more than decorations: they are true works of art, created with patience and skill, each telling a story and illuminating the interior of the church with polychromatic light. How were they made? And how must they be maintained in order to preserve their beauty and strength over time?

Admission fees

The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal: a heritage site to be protected

Visitors are sometimes surprised to learn that there is an admission fee to enter Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica, a place of worship. For many, a church should remain a space open to all, a sanctuary that anyone may enter freely, whether to pray, marvel at its beauty, or simply seek a moment of silence. However, the reality of this unique site is different.

Lasting donation

5 Good Reasons to Give to the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal Foundation

The fundraising campaign for the restoration of Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica relies heavily on public generosity. Here are five concrete reasons to donate, supported by figures, issues, and motivations.

Key element

Stone, a symbol of lasting durability

Beyond the stained glass and starry vaults, Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica is built from local stone, each block whispering nearly 200 years of artisanal ingenuity.

Craftsmen and Artists

From Stone to Stained Glass Windows and More: The (Almost) Forgotten Trades of Notre-Dame Basilica

Beneath the midnight blue vaults of Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, visitors admire the sculptures and stained-glass windows, some even spare a thought for the hands that crafted them. Stone carvers, master glassmakers, wood carvers, gilders, decorative painters, organ builders... These trades, some of which are now threatened with extinction, built the soul of the basilica and continue to sustain its vast restoration efforts today.

Preserving a symbol

A bridge between eras: how the Foundation preserves the Basilica’s architecture and history

Between sky and stone, Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica spans the centuries. If its appearance seems frozen in time, it is because a colossal and sometimes invisible effort is underway to protect the building and its aura. The Basilica’s Foundation works to preserve not only its architecture, but also its spirit. Restoration, heritage studies, specialized maintenance: each action is an act of remembrance, each project a bridge between generations.

Millions to renovate a heritage gem

As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the laying of the first stone of Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica, the city's iconic neo-Gothic church has been undergoing a facelift since 2020.

New christening for the Notre-Dame Basilica

One of Montreal's most visited monuments is undergoing a facelift: ultimately, over $50 million will be dedicated to restoring Notre-Dame Basilica. “We are in Phase 3 of an 8-phase project,” explains architect Daniel Durand, standing at the top of the basilica's East tower. Known as La Tempérance, this tower long dominated Montreal with its 69-meter height. It features a carillon of 10 bells.