The renowned micro-roaster relocates its flagship café to one of Montreal’s most iconic landmarks. A portion of proceeds will help support the Basilica’s ongoing restoration.
MONTREAL, July 20, 2026 – Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal and Café Saint-Henri are proud to announce the opening of Le Firmament by Café Saint-Henri, a new specialty café located on the Basilica’s front plaza.
Occupying a prime location at the entrance to one of Canada’s most treasured heritage sites, the café serves a dual purpose: offering visitors premium specialty coffee while generating a new source of revenue to help fund the Basilica’s extensive restoration efforts.
“The preservation of a landmark like Notre-Dame Basilica goes far beyond restoring its stone walls and architectural features; it is about ensuring the place continues to thrive,” said Michel Issa, Chief Executive Officer of The Fabrique of Notre-Dame Parish, the organization responsible for managing the Basilica.
“Le Firmament by Café Saint-Henri will offer visitors, tourists, and the Old Montreal community a welcoming place to gather, while generating revenue that will directly contribute to the Basilica’s ongoing restoration.”
An Exceptional Partnership
To bring this new space to life, The Fabrique of Notre-Dame Parish has partnered with Café Saint-Henri, a pioneer in Quebec’s specialty coffee scene, to operate and manage the café.
The project carries special meaning for Café Saint-Henri. The company’s founding café on Notre-Dame Street West, where many Montrealers were first introduced to specialty coffee, is relocating to the forecourt of Notre-Dame Basilica.
The symbolic move from Notre-Dame to Notre-Dame marks the opening of Le Firmament by Café Saint-Henri as the company’s tenth location.
“We built this project hand in hand with The Fabrique,” said Sébastien Grenache, President and Owner of Café Saint-Henri.
“We fully embrace its mission of ensuring this exceptional place remains vibrant while helping preserve it. We are proud and honoured to oversee the operations of this unique project. Our first café on Notre-Dame Street is where our brand was born. Seeing it relocate to the forecourt of Notre-Dame Basilica, at the heart of Montreal’s history, gives this move profound meaning.”
Michel Issa added:
“Café Saint-Henri was the natural choice. Its reputation for excellence, its deep roots, and its strong connection to Montreal perfectly align with our vision of creating a welcoming destination that enriches the visitor experience while respecting the heritage and spiritual significance of Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.”
A Unique Destination with an Exclusive Coffee Blend
Covering 28 square metres (300 square feet), Le Firmament by Café Saint-Henri draws its design inspiration from the Basilica’s architecture.
A nearly 200-year-old stone wall is visible from inside the café, while the windows, pointed arches and service counter echo the Basilica’s distinctive architectural style.
Born from the collaboration between these two Quebec institutions, the café is now open to the public seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To mark the occasion, Café Saint-Henri has created an exclusive coffee blend available only at Notre-Dame Basilica. Inspired by notes of maple syrup, pecan and cocoa, it pays tribute to the warmth and character of this unique setting.
About Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
A National Historic Site of Canada and one of Montreal’s most significant landmarks, Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal preserves and showcases its rich architectural, religious, artistic and historical heritage.
The Basilica manages its operations with a view to maintaining financial sustainability while ensuring its long-term preservation and development.
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal and Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery are administered by The Fabrique of Notre-Dame Parish of Montreal, a non-profit organization. Since 1854, The Fabrique has owned and managed these two institutions, both of which form an integral part of Canada’s heritage.
About Café Saint-Henri
Founded in 2011, Café Saint-Henri is Quebec’s first specialty coffee micro-roaster.
Renowned for sourcing its coffee directly from trusted producer partners, the company operates Quebec’s largest network of specialty coffee cafés, with ten locations across Montreal and Quebec City, in addition to its roasting facilities.
Since its founding, Café Saint-Henri has been dedicated to introducing specialty coffee to as many people as possible, one cup at a time.
