This Is More Like It

With a casual glance one could easily mistake the exterior of Notre Dame de Montreal for its somewhat larger, and far more famous, sister in Paris. With twin bell towers emerging from a rectangular, two-story base and three arched entryways, the cathedrals are practically identical. You almost expect to see Quasimodo running about the Gothic campaniles.

But the spectacular interior is influenced by a completely different Paris cathedral, Sainte Chapelle. Chapelle’s influence is seen in the blue and gold color scheme, and particularly in the gilded stenciling in the arches and on the columns. Intricate wood carving adorns every inch of the interior. You can walk around and study the detail for hours. Or simply click on the photo below for a closer look.