I have lived in Ottawa most of my life, but it was only this week that I visited Notre Dame Basilica for the first time. Which is not surprising.

When you live in a place you have a routine. Things that appeal to tourists aren’t necessarily part of your daily life. You check them out when out-of-town visitors ask to see them. Which is why I hadn’t visited Notre Dame before, and why there are still a couple of National Museums I haven’t seen.

As I have walked daily through the Byward Market area of the city the past few weeks I have frequently passed Notre Dame. Each time there are tour buses parked outside. The place seems to be popular.

So I took the time to check it out for myself, a very brief visit. Normally when I go inside a church I spend some time sitting and praying, but on this particular day there wasn’t time.

It is a peaceful place though – I can see myself going back again.