Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense (Madonna della Difesa)
Little Italy and Jean-Talon, Montréal
Source: pc.gc.ca, checked 13 Oct 2026.
A stone church built in 1918 and 1919 and tied to Montréal's Italian community, which settled here in the 1860s. Guido Nincheri designed the building and painted the fresco interior, and the apse vault dates from 1927 to 1933.
Insider tip
It's a working church, so visiting depends on services and parish hours. Parks Canada recognises it as a National Historic Site and prints no visiting times, so check with the parish before you go.
What's on near Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense (Madonna della Difesa)
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense (Madonna della Difesa), from the weekly Montréal events calendar.
Les Sucres at Jean-Talon Market
Time 10 am to 5 pm Station Jean-Talon (Orange line)
The 2027 date hasn't been announced. The 2026 edition ran Saturday 11 April, 10 am to 5 pm, with maple tastings and entertainment in the outdoor event area. The activities and entertainment were free, and tasting tours mixed free and paid options.
Stay nearby Hotels near Marché Jean-Talon, 10 to 11 April
abdallahh, CC BY 2.0 Festiv'été, Spicy Edition
Time 10 am to 6 pm Station Jean-Talon (Orange line)
The 2027 dates haven't been announced. The 2026 edition ran Saturday 4 July, 10 am to 6 pm, with tastings from about 15 hot-product makers, a hot sauce competition, Latin music and a salsa workshop. Admission was free.
Stay nearby Hotels near Marché Jean-Talon, 3 to 4 July
abdallahh, CC BY 2.0 Ferment Fest Mtl
Time 10 am to 6 pm Station Jean-Talon (Orange line)
The 2027 dates haven't been announced. The 2026 edition ran 12 and 13 September, 10 am to 6 pm, with 17 exhibitors, free talks and registration-only workshops at $35 to $60, plus a workshop on Friday 11 September.
Stay nearby Hotels near Marché Jean-Talon, 11 to 13 September
abdallahh, CC BY 2.0 La rébellion du minuscule - Théâtre du Renard
Time 7:30 pm
Free, but a ticket reservation is required. At L'Illusion, Théâtre de marionnettes.
Stay nearby Hotels near L'Illusion, Théâtre de marionnettes, 9 to 10 March
Bénévolat, Tableau Noir
Time 19:30
A puppet theatre play about a university student who tutors an inmate in French in a small classroom. Free with a ticket, available from November 3.
Smaller local events nearby
Jean-Talon Market Market
Every day. Next: Fri 13 Nov · Marché Jean-Talon, Little Italy and Jean-Talon
A public food market in Little Italy, open all year. Its walls go up in October for the winter and the outdoor aisles reopen around the end of April.
Free entry · Mon to Sat 08:00 to 18:00, Sun 08:00 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Marchés publics de Montréal · Marché Jean-Talon
Winter student showcase Theatre and shows
Fri 18 Dec · Château de Cirque, La Petite-Patrie
Students of the autumn and winter courses present a piece on stage at the Château de Cirque. Entry is free.
Free · 19:00 · Map · Source: Château de Cirque · Showcase hivernal des étudiants
Nearby
Around Little Italy and Jean-Talon
A covered market, Italian cafés and a fresco church
Little Italy sits around Marché Jean-Talon, which has been trading since May 1933. The streets around it hold Italian cafés, a pastry shop and a church painted in fresco. Most visits take a morning.
Little Italy and Jean-Talon has 12 places on the Roam Montréal map: 3 parks and gardens, 2 cafes, 2 restaurants, 1 market, 1 church or basilica, 1 shop, 1 neighbourhood and 1 landmark. Read the Little Italy and Jean-Talon guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense (Madonna della Difesa)?
- 6800 Avenue Henri-Julien, Montréal, QC.
- How long do you need at Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense (Madonna della Difesa)?
- Plan for 30 min.
- When is the best time to visit Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense (Madonna della Difesa)?
- Daytime.
Stay near Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense (Madonna della Difesa)
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