Guided tours
Let Montreal's religious heritage amaze you during our city tours and discover unsuspected architectural and artistic gems. A rich collective heritage.Practical information
Tours are available upon reservation, at the specified dates.
Length: 3h
Presented in: French
Type of activity: guided walking tours or guided bus tours
Cost:15$ per person (walking) / 20$/person (bus) / 80$ + taxes (tour 6)
Accessibility: tours are not accessible to people with reduced mobility
Mandatory reservations and payments must be made by calling 514 849-2919. For questions or information please write to reservations@museedeshospitalieres.qc.ca.
Please note that your registration is non-refundable. In the event that the tour is cancelled due to bad weather or an insufficient number of participants, the museum will inform you as soon as possible. You may then choose to reschedule a tour (within availabilities) or be reimbursed.
Tour 1
Victor Bourgeau’s debut in Montreal
Walking tour
From the Hospitallers’ convent complex to Saint-Pierre Apôtre church, the contract which sealed the partnership between bishop of Montreal Mgr Bourget and architect Victor Bourgeau, roam through the streets of the Plateau Mont-Royal, Quartier latin and the Village with your guide. Throughout your tour, discover churches and convent complexes built by Victor Bourgeau. Shaped by the Victorian era, he combined different styles to create an architecture unique to him that still stands today.
2022 schedule :
- June 25th at 1pm
- July 9th at 1pm
- August 27th at 1pm
September 10 and 11, the tour will be free owing to the Journées du patrimoine religieux. Tours are FULLY BOOKED.
Tour 2
Victor Bourgeau’s Great Convent Complexes in Montreal
Bus tour
Victor Bourgeau authored the plans of many convents and monasteries, such as the Hospitallers’ convent complex as of 1859. These great ensembles, like the mother house of the Grey Nuns and the Sisters of Notre-Dame de Charité du Bon-Pasteur that you will discover during the tour, define the Montreal landscape. They are part of an architecture trend that spans 1850 to 1880.
2022 schedule :
- October 29th at 1pm
Tour 3
The Painted Decor Tradition in Montreal I: From John Held to Napoléon Bourassa
Bus tour
Started by a few well-known religious congregations in Montreal during the nineteenth century, the painted decor tradition is first observed in the Hôtel-Dieu’s chapel and the Gesù with artists of German origin (John Held and Daniel Müller). This tradition is later undertaken by francophone artists taught by Napoléon Bourassa during the decoration of the Notre-Dame de Lourdes chapel. The project took ten years to complete. During the tour, you will discover exceptional interior decors, some of which are classified historical monuments, and you will learn more about the artistic community during that epoch.
2022 schedule :
- October 1st at 1pm
Tour 4
The Painted Decor Tradition in Montreal II: Guido Nincheri (Outremont and Westmount)
Bus tour
Born in Prato (Italy), Guido Nincheri trained at the Fine Arts Academy in Florence before arriving in Montreal in the 1910s. This circuit presents Nincheri’s beginnings in the city. First, at Saint-Viateur d’Outremont as a collaborator to glassmaker Henri Perdriau, then as decorative artist. This circuit then takes to you to the Saint-Léon of Wesmount church. There, Nincheri executed the entire decor, frescoes, stained-glass, and liturgical furniture. This church is a designated national historical site.
2022 schedule :
- August 14th at 1pm
Tour 5
The Painted Decor Tradition in Montreal III: Guido Nincheri (Little-Italy and Villeray)
Tour bus
Located in the geographical center as well as the heart of the Italian community in Montreal, the Madonna della Difesa church is yet another of Nincheri’s masterpieces that is designated as a national historical site. Nincheri authored not only its decor but also drew the architectural plans, under the supervision of architect Roch Montbriand. However, this church caused him many troubles… The circuit ends with a visit to Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire church, where its majestic stained-glass windows were made by the Studio Nincheri.
By painting the vaulted ceilings and walls of churches, Guido Nincheri brings the cycles of great painted decor in Montreal to an end.
2022 schedule :
- August 21st at 1pm
Tour 6
Victor Bourgeau, Guido Nincheri and Ozias Leduc in Mauricie
Bus tour
This tour in Trois-Rivières and Shawinigan-Sud showcases one of architect Victor Bourgeau’s major works: the Trois-Rivières cathedral. It is known for its neogothic style and its 125 stained-glass windows by Guido Nincheri’s studio in Montreal. They are some of the artist-decorator’s best works. The tour also includes a visit of Notre-Dame de la Présentation church, which was decorated by Ozias Leduc. Leduc’s large format paintings are a tribute to Mauricie workers. The visit ends at Saint-Pierre de Shawinigan church, magnificently decorated by Guido Ninchero and exceptionally open to the public for this tour.
2022 schedule :
- October 15th, from 9am to 6pm
Coach bus, departure and return from the museum. This tour is offered at 80$ + taxes (lunch is not included) and a minimal number if participants is required. If the tour is cancelled due to an insufficient number of participants, the museum will inform you as soon as possible.
Organ Recitals
A string of organ recitals complements the tour programming so as to showcase some of the most beautiful instruments of our Montreal churches built by reputed organ builders Casavant Frères and the Pontificia Fabbrica d’Organi Giovanni Tamburini. A demonstration of the organ stops precedes each recital so you can appreciate the quality of each instrument.Practical information
Length: 60 minutes
Type of activity: concert
Cost: 20$ per person / 80$ for all 5 concerts
Accessiblity: not all sites are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Please inquire beforehand.
Reservations by phone 514-849-2919 and ticket sale at the door the day of the event (cash only). First come first served.
Please note that your registration is non-refundable. In the event that the concert is cancelled, the museum will inform you as soon as possible. You may then choose to reschedule a tour (within availabilities) or be reimbursed.
June 4, 2022 at 2pm
Très-Saint-Nom-de-Jésus church, Alexander Straus-Fausto
View program →
August 7, 2022 at 3pm
Notre-Dame-de-la-Consolata church, François Zeitouni
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September 17, 2022
Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, François Zeitouni
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December 10, 2022
The Hospitallers’ old chapel, François Zeitouni
