This is the largest church in Canada with the third largest church dome in the world. Lots to see, from the Crypt to the Votive Chapel and the Shrine. It is quite extensive, and will take you more than an hour to see everything. It can also get very busy and somewhat crowded in some areas especially if you happen to be there as tour busses arrive. However, it is big enough that there lots of areas where you can find a quiet contemplative spot to yourself. Some areas were being renovated but it didn’t affect our visit.

An Instagram friend suggested a visit here and I’m very glad we did. The main basilica is mid century modern with incredible space and lighting - lots of great photo ops. The original chapel below is stunning and makes for an interesting hours wander Rob

Lots of construction at time of visit created confusion about parking and approach to entrance. A shuttle was provided. The entrance took us through a “cafeteria” and shop to the stairs. I expected a grand cathedral, but it was not grand by my standards. The view of the city did not bowl me over by any means. Seriously, not worth the effort. We did this as an alternative to climbing up to Mont Royal….should have done the climb.

This was our last stop in Montreal and was a great visit. Just the size alone is awe-inspiring. Also, some of the views are great. There is a shuttle to get you to the top and probably well worth it as the walk is up a hill. The church itself was nice and there were plenty to look at on each level.

Well worth a visit to the largest shrine dedicated to St. Joseph with early 4:30 closure. Parking affected by construction but we parked on the street for free (varies by weekday). Multi-level structure from sublime to pedestrian (passageways). Small museum with nativity scenes from throughout the world, interesting at $3C. Basilica and Crypt amazing with ample opportunity to light votive candles. Invested in a $3C guidebook at entrance and well worth it. Large gift shop. Visit multi-cultural experience with a wide range of visitors. Main alter quite beautiful.

There are some cathedrals that are architecturally interesting and worth visiting even for people who aren’t Christian/Catholic. The Oratory isn’t one of them. It’s a devotional site. While the Basilica looks traditional on the outside, the interior is a type of religious brutalism; cold, angular, and sterile. The property on the whole is dated, with leaky, faded lobby and cafeteria areas leading into the basilica. A huge ongoing construction project is unsightly but will hopefully improve the aesthetics once complete. Setting these issues aside, it is a very spiritual place. In addition to the Basilica, there is a crypt with shrine to St Joseph and thousands of votive candles and crypt church, a museum, and an overlook of suburban Montreal (not very impressive). I especially enjoyed a stations of the cross walk through the garden with monumental sculptures at each station, culminating in a resurrection fountain.

Really interesting architecture. The exterior looks almost medieval and the interior has some art deco elements. We were challenged to find our way between the rooms in the building. Limited bathroom facilities. Very little information about the building itself was available.

Beautiful experience while visiting the oratory, a very special place. The views of the city are stunning and so is the garden which is important to advise you’ll have to walk up to admire. A lot of details that will take your breath away

I should have done more research before we visited - it is still lovely and we still would have come to see it, but having been built in 1904 I was expecting a more traditional experience. It appears it was renovated in the 1970's with a lot more "modern" carvings, statuary, and stained glass. The Crypt Church in the lower level was more what we were hoping for. Again, a beautiful building - highest in Montreal, but just not the traditional beauty we were expecting. We didn't even take many photos inside.

We were really looking forward to coming here and entering up the grand staircase that is mentioned in others’ reviews. However, when the shuttlebus brought us up from the parking lot, we were dropped at the back of the building, and it was a comparatively underwhelming entrance. You walk down some hallways that feel like an old sports arena and pass drink machines and bathrooms before getting into the main part of the church. A, I going to the rodeo or an important church? The parts covered by other reviews already do justice to the magnitude and impressiveness of the religious aspects. The architecture is absolutely amazing and it’s a very solemn place. I imagine for devout person or a person searching for answers, it is a very special experience. Speaking as a non-religious person, I felt like there were a lot of attempts to collect money whether through multiple gift shops or the gawdy “swipe to pay” card readers for lighting a votive or saying a prayer etc. It massively cheapened the experience. Even the map guides cost 3 dollars. We never met anyone from the church or were greeted or anything like that - it was a completely independent self-guided tour, which in some ways was nice. Highlights include scenic overlook of the city, crypt level, and votive hall.