Montreal is a goldmine of Canadian culture, art, and nature. A central hub for historic architecture and delicious food, this city offers the perfect balance of charm and spice of life. Navigating with it’s incredible metro system makes it easy to find places to visit all over.
Montreal is unique in that it’s actually an island! I honestly had no idea and it somehow makes me love the city even more. It could be because I have a soft spot for islands, having grown up on one in BC (Vancouver Island).
My partner and I had an absolute blast galavanting around this beautiful French-Canadian city this past autumn (P.S.A. visit in autumn! The colours are gorgeous and everything looks beautiful). Photos don’t do it justice, it really felt picture-perfect. We loved the autumn leaves on the trees that enhanced every place we visited.
Notre Dame Basilica
One such place was Notre Dame Basilica. Religious or not, the grand Basilica is a must-see. Located in the heart of Old Montreal, this landmark is accented with trees, a beautiful fountain, and a large square for people to gather and enjoy buskers playing their music outside.
It costs $15.00 to visit the Basilica for adults and is free for children under the age of 5. There is a student discount available, so remember to bring some ID with you if you’re in post-secondary studies. A full breakdown of their pricing can be found here on their detailed website.
The inside is a total dream, especially if you have the slightest interest in interior design and/or architecture. The details are so intricate and precise, it’s a marvel no matter where you look. My partner and I enjoyed spending time inside discussing the multiple generations of people who devoted their lives to the construction of cathedrals like it across Europe and beyond.
The basilica in Montreal only took a handful of years to construct, but other cathedrals such as the Notre Dame in Paris took around 200 years to complete!
Aura Light Show
You can purchase tickets to witness the Aura Light Show that is put on inside the cathedral if you want something truly memorable. It is an immersive experience, complete with the modern technology of high-quality projectors, which work in tandem with music in order to masterfully showcase the detailed architecture of the church itself.
It is a marvelous thing to experience, I highly recommend it if you have time in your travels! It makes for a unique and cultured night out that you’ll never forget.
Something that makes the Aura Light Show feel extra special is that there is total darkness inside the church aside from the performance itself. An announcement before it begins states that photography of any kind is strictly forbidden while the show is going on. When this was said, I expected at least ONE person to defy it, but no one did.
It was mesmerizing and refreshing to experience an art form that people take seriously. Also, as a note of confidence, it was my first time being in a church of that grandeur and seeing every pew packed!
There are a few mins (~15mins) of wiggle room after the show finishes for people to admire their surroundings and explore a little if they like. This is the perfect time to capture those photos from before with your camera. You also have the option to light a candle (we did!) which feels special in the reverent environment of a church. Specific to the individual, lighting a candle here can carry any meaning you like.
I am personally not religious, but I greatly enjoyed my time in this reverent and beautiful place. I hope you consider visiting the Basilica if you find yourself passing through Montreal, you won’t regret it!
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Au revoir!
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