Notre-Dame Basilica hosts Rediscover Notre-Dame on 25 October
Published on 10/11/2026 at 06:36 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSKey points in brief
- Notre-Dame Basilica hosts Rediscover Notre-Dame on 25 October 2026, when its restored facade is presented to the public in Montreal.
- The programme begins at 12.30pm on 25 October 2026 with the New World Philharmonic Society and organist Jean-Willy Kunz performing outside and inside the basilica.
- The basilica was built between 1824 and 1829 to designs by James O'Donnell and became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1989.
Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal) hosts Rediscover Notre-Dame in Montreal on 25 October 2026, when its restored facade is presented to the public. The programme begins at 12.30pm and links the building’s return to view with performances by the New World Philharmonic Society and organist Jean-Willy Kunz.
Rediscover Notre-Dame brings the facade back into view
The basilica’s operator lists the event as a public celebration beginning at 12.30pm on 25 October 2026. The performance is planned both outside and inside the church, creating an outdoor option for visitors who cannot attend the indoor part.
More than 150 artists are scheduled to take part, according to the event programme. The music is supplied by the Société philharmonique du Nouveau Monde, joined by organist Jean-Willy Kunz, while the restored frontage is the focus of the occasion.
The event follows almost ten years of restoration work behind scaffolding. A report by CityNews says the facade restoration is complete, although further work remains elsewhere in the building.
Restoration connects a 2026 event with a historic church
The building is a Gothic Revival church designed by James O'Donnell. Construction ran from 1824 to 1829, and the church’s twin towers were completed in the early 1840s.
The facade being revealed on 25 October is therefore part of a structure whose main construction began more than two centuries ago. That link between a current restoration milestone and the church’s original design gives the programme a clear architectural focus.
The Basilica became a minor basilica in 1982 and was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1989. Its official history describes it as the first Gothic Revival church in Canada and identifies the Sulpicians’ long connection with the parish.
The building stands opposite Place d’Armes in Old Montreal. Its interior includes the Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Cœur Chapel, while the wider church is also associated with musical performances and the Casavant organ.
Visiting Notre-Dame Basilica: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Date and venue: Rediscover Notre-Dame takes place at Notre-Dame Basilica on 25 October 2026, starting at 12.30pm. The performance begins outdoors and continues inside the church.
- Access: The facade presentation is visible from outside the basilica. Indoor attendance is separately organised, so visitors without an indoor place can still view the restored frontage and the outdoor performance.
- Location: The address is 110 Notre-Dame Street West in Montreal’s Old Montreal district, opposite Place d’Armes. The site is served by the Place-d’Armes metro station.
- Building character: This is a large stone Gothic Revival church with a richly decorated interior, twin towers and a separate Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Cœur Chapel. The visit combines an active place of worship with a national historic site.
The facade presentation gives travellers a specific reason to include Old Montreal on 25 October 2026, while the church’s architecture explains why the restoration is central to the programme.
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Frequently asked questions about Notre-Dame Basilica
When does Rediscover Notre-Dame take place at Notre-Dame Basilica?
Rediscover Notre-Dame takes place on 25 October 2026, beginning at 12.30pm. The programme includes outdoor and indoor performances.
What is Notre-Dame Basilica?
It is a Gothic Revival church in Old Montreal built between 1824 and 1829 to designs by James O'Donnell. It became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1989.
Where is Notre-Dame Basilica and how do you get there?
The basilica is at 110 Notre-Dame Street West, opposite Place d’Armes in Old Montreal. The Place-d’Armes metro station serves the area.
