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Ottawa's Notre Dame Cemetery

Ottawa's Notre Dame Cemetery: Sacred space, social space and a 'lieu de mémoire' (place of memory)
Entrance to the Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa (2007). Photo by JY Pelletier.
Entrance to the Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa (2007). Photo by JY Pelletier.

Notez: Cette promenade sera aussi offerte en français.


The walk will take us through the older sections of the cemetery toward the centre and then returning to the entrance. The guided tour will focus on the elements that characterize this religious, cultural, historical, and environmental heritage space. Ottawa's history is intrinsically linked with Canadian history, and select stops will be made at the plots and mausoleums of some well-known figures. Participants will undoubtedly recognize the names of famous people who are buried here. Visitors can also observe the numerous statues of angels, cherubs, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as 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 begin at the entrance, and will wend its way through the cemetery, looping back to end at the entrance where we began.


There are unpaved paths and uneven ground, therefore this walk is not recommended for people with mobility challenges.


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

About the walk leader

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


Ottawa Notre Dame Cemetery by Jean Yves Pelletier

Guide:

Jean Yves Pelletier

When:
Date:Sun May 4, 2025
Time:2:00 PM
Duration: 2 hours
Language: English
Where:
Start:Cemetery entrance, 455 Montreal Rd
End:same
Area:Vanier
Distance:1.0 km
Accessibility:

The walk includes some unpaved paths and uneven ground..

Walker Sign-up

This walk requires you to sign up to attend or join a waitlist if walk is full. Please submit your email and the number of walkers that will be attending with you below.

1 on waitlist

Gallery
Entrance to the Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa (2007). Photo by JY Pelletier. Jean Yves Pelletier leading a walking tour at Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa (2007). Photo by A. Loriot. Jane's Walk group at Notre Dame Cemetery, 2010. Photo by Denis Larose. Pierres tombales au cimetière Notre-Dame, Ottawa, 2007. / Headstones at Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa, 2007. Photo by JY Pelletier. Headstones at Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa, winter.
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