Self‑guided Tour of Quebec City's Notre‑Dame Cathedral

Discover Quebec City’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, the official seat of the oldest Catholic diocese in North America north of Mexico.

Step into history where, in 1647, the first mission chapel of New France was built, soon followed by its very first parish church in 1664. Elevated to a cathedral in 1674, it was lovingly expanded and reimagined over the centuries by generations of architects. Today, it welcomes you as a stunning, timeless gem of religious architecture.

EXPLORE

The interactive map offered on BaladoDiscovery presents the essential points of interest to discover in the cathedral and you can access the information on request.

ON SITE

Feel the spirit of the place, the scale and the inestimable heritage value of this magnificent building while being there. Use the map (or scan the QRs during the tour) to learn more about the history and have a memorable experience.

OPTIMIZED EXPERIENCE

For the best experience, use the BaladoDiscovery mobile app instead of the website. Enjoy over 500 self-guided tours for free, all in one app!

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Bombarded during the Siege of Quebec in 1759, Notre-Dame de Québec was rebuilt with care from 1766 to 1771, given its striking neoclassical façade in 1843, and elevated to a basilica in 1874. Destroyed by fire in 1922, it rose again, keeping its monumental charm. Since 1956, it has been Canada’s primatial cathedral — the mother church of the first Catholic diocese in the country.

Explore this historic landmark, a place of pilgrimage and faith, using this mobile guide. 

Enjoy your tour!


CREDITS

Production
Paroisse Notre-Dame de Québec

With
Entente de développement culturel - Ville de Québec et Gouvernement du Québec

Supervisor 
Bishop Denis Bélanger

Texts and reviews
Monique Bhérer
Sister Hélène Bastarache
Bishop Denis Bélanger

Project representant
Gilles Gignac

Researcher
Monique Bhérer, volunteer at the reception

Computer graphics 
Charles Nadeau

Producer
Gérald Gilbert

Production house
BaladoDiscovery (for Paroisse Notre-Dame de Québec)

Photos by Daniel Abel, official photographer 
© Images from point 1 (content 1), ainsi que 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.1, 7.2, 7.4, 7.5, 8.1.

Portrait of François de Laval
© image from point 2 (content 2): Title: Picture of Saint Francois de Québec, Daniel Abel, photographer, courtesy of the François-De Laval animation centre.

Images of the pope
CBC/Radio-Canada archives

Sources
Memory book of the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica, Imprimerie Laflamme, 1923 ; Légaré, Denyse, L’Inspirante basilique-cathédrale, L’Architecture de Notre-Dame de Québec, Québec, Éditions du Septentrion, 2014 ; Noppen, Luc, Les églises du Québec (1600-1850), Éditions FIDES, 1980 ; Noppen, Luc, Notre-Dame de Québec, Éditions du Pélican, 1974 ; Robert, Paul, Le Petit Robert 1, Dictionnaire de la langue française, les Dictionnaires Le Robert, 1990 ; Société des musées québécois, Notre-Dame de Québec, Inventaire du patrimoine mobilier religieux, 2013.