The Basilica Notre-Dame in Quebec City is an important and popular attraction to visit on Canadian rail tours. Built in 1647, the site has burned to the ground twice, and both times rebuilt from the foundation according to the original plans. As one of the first cathedrals in North America, the Basilica is also the oldest and one of the largest cemeteries in the city. Over 900 bodies are interred there, and rumor has it that Samuel de Champlain is buried nearby as well, though archeologists still search for his remains.

When visiting the church, travelers can take in painted ceilings, stained glass windows and beautiful decorations, including a lamp donated by King Louis XIV of France. Guided tours show tourists around the cathedral, and information panels explain the history of the building. The center of the Catholic diocese in Quebec for hundreds of years, the Basilica is now considered a historical landmark.

Travelers on Canadian railroad trips can attend mass daily or the monthly organ concert that features all three of the building's instruments. Between the gold-plated main altar and sculpted bishop's throne, the wonders of the Basilica make it a favorite destination for tourists and locals alike.

Located near Old Quebec and the Musée de l'Amérique francaise, Canada's oldest museum, the Basilica Notre-Dame is a beautiful and historic landmark in Quebec City.