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Ottawa's Notre Dame Cemetery: Sacred space, social space and a 'lieu de mémoire' (place of memory)

Ottawa's Notre Dame Cemetery: Sacred space, social space and a 'lieu de mémoire' (place of memory)
Headstones at Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa, winter.
Headstones at Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa, winter.

Photo:  Notre-Dame Cemetery in winter.

The walk will be conducted in the older sections of the cemetery, near Montreal Road and St. Laurent Boulevard, moving on to the centre of the cemetery, then returning to the entrance. The guided tour will comment on and help you discover the conceptional elements that characterize this religious, cultural, historical, and environmental heritage space. Participants will undoubtedly recognize the names of famous figures who are buried here. 

In addition to stops at monuments, mausoleums, and a columbarium, visitors can also observe the natural habitat of small wildlife and the trees and shrubs that shelter them.

Location
Route

Notre Dame Cemetery is located at 455 Montreal Road, about one block west of St. Laurent Blvd. The walk will wend through the cemetery, looping back to end at the cemetery entrance.  

There is a parking lot for visitors near the entrance to the cemetery. 

Note:   On Wednesday June 20, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Jean Yves will be offering an informative stroll, in French, through Notre Dame Cemetery to share the stories of the men and women who helped shape Janeville, Clarkstown, and Clandeboye, communities which formed the village of Eastview (1909-1969) which was in turn renamed Vanier in 1969. Pioneers, religious, civic, philanthropic, business and medical leaders, as well as veterans and war dead, will be highlighted.  Meet at the main entrance to the cemetery.

About the walk leader

Jean Yves is a historical resources consultant, and with the assistance of local community, cultural and heritage organizations, Jean Yves has led annual walking tours of the cemetery since 2003. In 2009, he published a book on the history of the cemetery, Ottawa Notre Dame Cemetery,   that provides short biographies of the well-known people that are buried there.

Guide:

Jean Yves Pelletier

When:
Date:Sun May 6, 2018
Time:4:00 PM
Duration: 2 hours
Language: English
Where:
Start:Cemetery entrance, <p> ........................455 Montreal Rd
End:Same
Area:Vanier
Distance:1.0 km
Accessibility:

There are unpaved paths and uneven ground.

Gallery
Headstones at Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa, winter.
Volunteer to Marshal This Walk