An authentic experience

All tours presented in this section are conducted by a Montréal Professional Licensed Tour Guide. To take part in these tours, you must make up your own group of 10 to 20 people.

Drawn to religious art? This guided tour of Montréal’s most celebrated churches is nothing short of divine. Gaze in wonder at stunning frescoes of the Notre- Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel or the gold-starred ceiling of the Notre-Dame Basilica. Marvel at the majestic beauty of the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, a scaled-down replica of St. Peter’s of Rome, or the Romanesque-style architecture of the Saint-Léon de Westmount Church. Of course, your tour wouldn’t be complete without a pilgrimage to the monumental Saint Joseph’s Oratory, high atop beautiful Mount Royal. Wind up this heavenly visit with a look at the awe-inspiring collection of religious art at the Museum of Fine Arts and the gorgeous stained glass windows of the Erskine and American United Church on downtown Sherbrooke Street.

Here’s an opportunity to find out more about religious icons and music, two fascinating facets of religious art. At the Emmaüs Centre, located at the foot of Saint Joseph’s Oratory, you’ll meet resident iconographer, Sister Denise Rioux, who will introduce you to the history and popularity of this art. Climb the Oratory’s steps—a whopping 300 in total—to meet bell ringer, Claude Aubin, and chat with one of the organists about the Oratory’s magnificent, manypiped instrument.

Learn just how much the Amerindian community has contributed to the rich tapestry of Québec’s religious history on this visit to the Kahnawake reserve. At the St. Francis- Xavier Church, shrine of Kateri Tekakwitha, patron saint of Christian Amerindians, meet a priest who will recount stories of the Jesuits and the evangelization of the Natives. Later on, visit an authentic longhouse and speak with Native women to learn about their faith and traditions.

Behind every good city lie some truly exceptional women. Discover the life of Jeanne Mance, founder of Montréal’s first hospital, the Hôtel-Dieu, and admire the amazing collection of medical equipment and religious artefacts in the Musée des Hospitalières. At the 17th-century Maison Saint-Gabriel, you’ll have the chance to talk with Sister Madeleine Juneau about the incredible life of Marguerite Bourgeoys, pioneer and caretaker of Les Filles du Roy (the king’s wardens) from 1668 to 1673, and admire its incredible collection of centuries-old objects.

There’s no better time than evening to appreciate the tranquil beauty of downtown churches in the "City of a Hundred Bells". Join our guide and see how the many spires—like the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the St. James United Church—stand majestically among soaring skyscrapers. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Sainte- Catherine Street and step inside the neo-Gothic Christ Church Cathedral—cocktails in the cloister garden and dinner at Le Parchemin restaurant in the old presbytery await you.

Mother Gamelin was a lesser-known but equally-important figure in the founding of Montréal. Come learn more about her incredible legacy of caring for the sick and the poor on a visit to the Sisters of the Providence mother house, which she founded in 1843. You’ll have the unique opportunity to speak with one of the nuns, Sister Gervais, and tour its museum and gardens before setting out in the footsteps of this historic woman.