Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel stands in Old Montreal, a short walk from the old port along the St. Lawrence River. It is a historic Catholic chapel, and many visitors know it by its nickname, the Sailors' Church, a reflection of its long association with mariners who came and went through the port.
The chapel was built in the late 17th century, which makes it one of the oldest surviving churches in Montreal. Walking inside, you are in a space that has seen the city grow around it, from its early colonial days to the busy waterfront district it is today.
What a visit offers
- A historic church with a strong maritime connection, quite different from the larger cathedrals elsewhere in the city.
- A museum within the site that is dedicated to the chapel's history, useful if you want more context than the building alone gives.
- A quiet change of pace from the cobbled streets and galleries of Old Montreal nearby.
Around the chapel
Because it sits in Old Montreal, the chapel fits easily into a wider walk. The old port, the historic streets and the waterfront are all close by, so it works well as one stop among several in a day spent exploring this part of the city. If you are interested in the city's early history and its ties to the river and its sailors, the chapel is a natural place to begin or end your walk.