- Downtown
- Old Montreal and Old Port
- Parc Jean-Drapeau
- Mount Royal and Outremont
- Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile End
- Olympic District and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
- The Village
- Little Italy and Villeray
- Les Quartiers du Canal
- Pôle de Rapides
- East, West and the North of the Islan
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Parc Jean-Drapeau
In the middle of the St. Lawrence River, Parc Jean-Drapeau, developed on Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame, offers a multitude of attractions and activities.
Its versatile trails, including 25 km of bicycle paths, offer magnificent panoramic views of the river and downtown. Fifteen public artworks of great value — including Calder’s immense stabile, Man — are exhibited there permanently. In every season, the park hosts many music festivals, a fireworks competition, international sports events and popular festivals. Parc Jean-Drapeau is also home to the Casino de Montréal, which was built into the former France and Québec pavilions from Expo 67. Quite the architectural legacy!
The Jacques Cartier Bridge 110
Jean-Drapeau | jacquescartierchamplain.ca
Inaugurated in 1931 as the Harbour Bridge, this link between Longueuil and Montréal was renamed in 1934 in honour of Jacques Cartier, the French explorer and first European to describe and map the St. Lawrence River. The digital and interactive lighting of the bridge smoothly forms part of its structure and is in harmony with the colours of each season and the energy of the city.
La Ronde
Île Sainte-Hélène | Jean-Drapeau +767 514 397-2000 | laronde.com
This large amusement park, located near the city centre, offers more than 40 rides and attractions, dazzling shows, as well as entertainment. Thrill seekers will want to take on extreme roller coasters like the Goliath, while the youngsters or the least daring will have fun in Ribambelle’s Land, a colorful family section. In summer, La Ronde also produces and presents L’International des Feux Loto-Québec, the annual Montréal International Fireworks Competition, and every weekend of October, its annual Halloween Fright Fest. May to October.
Fort de l’Île Ste-Hélène
20 Tour-de-l’Isle Road | Île Sainte-Hélène Jean-Drapeau | parcjeandrapeau.com
The Fort de l’Île Sainte-Hélène is a 19th-century military construction. Few people know that it was used as a place of detention for 400 Italian merchant seamen and civilians during World War II. Access to the inner courtyard is to be confirmed for 2022.
Aquatic Complex at Parc Jean-Drapeau
Île Sainte-Hélène | Jean-Drapeau | 514 872-7368 parcjeandrapeau.com
The Aquatic Complex at Parc Jean-Drapeau boasts an international-calibre competition pool, a diving pool and a gradual-slope recreational pool for families with young children. Why not take the opportunity to cool off, relax your muscles, swim a few lengths or take a family dip?
Drone Tours
Parc Jean-Drapeau | Île Sainte-Hélène Jean-Drapeau | 514 389-2308 | dronetours.ca
Experience a unique view of Montréal’s spectacular sights with a live stream to high resolution FPV goggles. You’ll feel like you’re flying, with your feet firmly planted on the ground! This in-destination state-of-the-art flight experience offers 360° immersion, complete with a narrated history of iconic sights along the way. End of May to October.
Eco Tours
Near the Jean-Drapeau metro station | Île Sainte-Hélène | Jean-Drapeau | 514 600-6163 ecotoursmontreal.com
Safe, ecological and fun guided tours aboard a kayak or canoe, around the lush green lagoons and paths that cross the enchanting scenery of Sainte-Hélène and Notre-Dame islands. On the program, history of the islands, amazing fauna and flora, emblematic places, works of public art and some of Expo 67 pavilions. Want to explore solo? Éco Tours Montréal also offers self-service bicycle, quadricycle, kayak, pedal boat and canoe rentals. May to September.
Biosphère – Montréal Space for Life
160 Tour-de-l’Isle Road | Île Sainte-Hélène Jean-Drapeau | 514 868-3000 | espacepourlavie.ca
A Montréal architectural landmark from Expo 67, the Biosphere hosts exhibitions that highlight the ways we can live as eco-citizens, addressing major environmental issues related to water, air, climate change, severe weather and sustainable development. Come nightfall, the dome lights up, its colours changing with the seasons.
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
Île Notre-Dame | Jean-Drapeau | 514 872-6120 parcjeandrapeau.com
The 4,361 km-long (2.5 miles) Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve not only hosts the Grand Prix du Canada, but also welcomes biking, in-line skating, jogging, and walking enthusiasts. The first car race on the circuit took place in 1978. Mid-April to mid-November.
Jean-Doré Beach
Île Notre-Dame | Jean-Drapeau | 514 872-0199 parcjeandrapeau.com
Water quality is rated A at all times. You can rent canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. Also available are snacks, life jackets, volleyballs, and lounge chairs.
Parc Aquazilla
Île Notre-Dame | Jean-Drapeau | 514 948-6721 aquazilla.com
Family fun in the form of inflatable water games. Children must be aged 6 or older and be at least 1.10-metres (3’3”) tall. June to August.
Casino de Montréal
1 du Casino Avenue | Jean-Drapeau + ¨ 777 514 392-2746 | casinodemontreal.ca
With numerous gaming tables and approximately 3,000 slot machines, the Casino de Montréal offers one of the largest game varieties in North America. Check out the Zone, an amped-up, immersive gaming space for players of all levels. The Casino includes restaurants, bars, and a cabaret which hosts comedy shows, performances, and concerts from the most popular local and international singers.
Habitat 67
habitat67.com
The land-filled jetty called Cité-du-Havre was built to protect the harbour from currents and ice. Habitat 67, a housing complex designed for the 1967 World Exhibition by the 23-year-old architect Moshe Safdie, was built on this reclaimed land. An avant-garde design by the day’s standards, Habitat 67 proposed a new lifestyle which hasn’t lost its appeal.
Mount Royal and Outremont
Every stay in Montréal should include a stroll on Mount Royal, a jewel of greenery in the heart of the city.
Mount Royal owes its name to Jacques Cartier who christened it in 1535. The mountain is the meeting place for nature lovers, amateur ornithologists and sports enthusiasts of all ages. Crisscrossed by trails and topped with lookouts, which offer breathtaking views of the city, its slopes accommodate the campuses of two universities, two immense cemeteries and Saint Joseph’s Oratory. And down below, two upscale neighbourhoods, Outremont and Westmount, with lush green streets, opulent houses, and beautiful boutiques.
Mount Royal Park
From East, via Camillien-Houde Parkway | From West, via Remembrance Road | Mont-Royal +11 514 843-8240 | lemontroyal.qc.ca
Inaugurated in 1876, the Mount Royal Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the highly skilled designer behind New York’s Central Park. It is an ideal site for admiring a wide variety of plants and birds or for enjoying outdoor activities. Les amis de la montagne offer a variety of services and activities that provide wonderful opportunities to discover the beauty and wealth of resources that the park has to offer, including a permanent exhibition at Smith House. Mount Royal Chalet was inaugurated in 1932. The walls of its spacious interior are decorated with pictures tracing the history of Montréal, including many painted by famous artists. The Kondiaronk scenic lookout in front of the Chalet offers a striking view of the downtown area and the St. Lawrence River. Erected in 1924, the cross atop Mount Royal commemorates January 6, 1643, when Maisonneuve, Montréal’s founder, kept his promise to carry a wooden cross to the summit of Mount Royal if the young colony survived flooding. Today, the cross stands 30 metres (98 feet) high and when lit, can be seen from miles away.
Smith House
1260 Remembrance Road | Mount Royal Park Mont-Royal +11 West | 514 843-8240 lemontroyal.qc.ca
Built in 1858, this example of neoclassical rural architecture was once the home of a wealthy merchant and businessman. At the time, Mount Royal was indeed an oasis of freshness and tranquility sought by the bourgeois who wanted to get away from the polluted and overcrowded St. Lawrence bank. Today, in addition to offering welcome services, such as visitor information, a café, a gift shop and a permanent exhibition that highlights the history of this iconic natural landmark, Smith House is home to Les amis de la montagne, a non-profit organization that protects, improves and promotes the sustainability of Montréal’s Mount Royal.
Mount Royal Cemetery
1297 de la Forêt Road | Mont-Royal +11 514 279-7358 | mountroyalcem.com
Founded in 1852, the Mount Royal Cemetery is one of the oldest rural cemeteries in North America. Visitors can observe some 145 species of birds and century-old trees along trails or amid gardens and terraces. Historical guided tours recall the life of famous figures who are buried here.
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery
4601 de la Côte-des-Neiges Road | Côte-des-Neiges 514 735-1361 | cimetierenddn.org
A celebration of Montréal’s religious, cultural, historical, architectural and environmental heritage, the Notre-Damedes-Neiges Cemetery is Canada’s largest Catholic cemetery: since 1854, more than 900,000 people have been buried there. Situated on the magnificent Mount Royal, this tranquil testament to a people and its country has, over the years, become not only a natural haven for local flora and fauna but a home to rare tree species.
Université de Montréal
2900 Édouard-Montpetit Blvd. Université-de-Montréal | 514 343-6030 umontreal.ca
Founded in 1878, the Université de Montréal now counts 13 faculties. Together with its two affiliated schools, it represents one of North America’s largest educational centres, ranking first in Québec and second in Canada for higher education and research. Its main Art Deco-style building, designed by Ernest Cormier, was completed in 1943.
Centre d’exposition de l’Université de Montréal
2940 Côte Sainte-Catherine Road | Pavillon de la Faculté de l’Aménagement | Room 0056 | Université-deMontréal | 514 343-6111 | expo.umontreal.ca
The Centre presents exhibitions that address a variety of fields, including the humanities, arts, and sciences. It also promotes interdisciplinary communication through shows and activities, stimulating both imagination and thought. Its permanent exhibition, Art pour tous, featuring 41 public artworks, is presented on the campus and on the Web.
Côte-des-Neiges Streets
Côte-des-Neiges | sdc-cotedesneiges.ca
On the western slope of Mount Royal, the Côte-des-Neiges district is renowned for its ties to knowledge, spirituality and multiculturalism. This beautiful verdant neighbourhood is home to some 80 cultural communities as well as a large student population, many of whom attend the Université de Montréal. To this, add other high-profile institutions such as major hospital centers and colleges, and HEC university school of administration, and it’s not surprising that immigrants from around the world as well as families choose to settle in this lively neighbourhood. The district is teeming with multicultural shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants serving authentic world cuisine, but you’ll find poutine as well! In summer, the public market is open 24 hours a day. Magnificent Saint Joseph’s Oratory perches high above with the Placette Côte-des-Neiges below, a lively pedestrian street where you’ll love to take a break!
Museum and Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal
3800 Queen-Mary Road | Côte-des-Neiges 514 733-8211 | saint-joseph.org
It is one of the world’s most visited centres of pilgrimage. Its founder, Saint Brother André began construction in 1904. The shrine includes a majestic building whose dome reaches 97 metres (second only in height to Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome), the small original chapel, a votive chapel, a crypt, gardens of the way of the cross, a basilica that can accommodate close to 2,000 worshippers. Its magnificent organs and its carillon composed of 56 bells give audible testament to the world’s great composers. The Oratory Museum is dedicated mainly to sacred art. Renowned for its exceptional collection of crèches of the world, the museum displays works of religious, historical, and artistic heritage from Québec and abroad.
Montreal Holocaust Museum
5151 Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road Côte-Sainte-Catherine | 514 345-2605 museeholocauste.ca
The Museum tells the story of Jewish communities before, during, and after the Holocaust. Through the life stories of Montréal survivors, visitors are invited to reflect on the destruction engendered by prejudice, racism and antisemitism.
Outremont Streets
Outremont Bernard Avenue, located in a charming residential and business area of Outremont, hosts turn-of-the-century architecture housing restaurants and design boutiques. Du Parc Avenue, since the 1950s, has been the home of Montréal’s Greek community, its restaurants and pastry shops. Known for its gourmet tables and lively terraces, Laurier Avenue West is also known as a high-end destination for independent businesses as well as local creators and designers who offer, among other things, exclusive clothing, original home accessories and uniquely designed furniture. Alongside du Parc Avenue lies Jeanne-Mance Park, named in honour of the founder of Montréal’s first hospital, Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal. Just across from Jeanne-Mance Park, on the slopes of Mount Royal, is the site of the tam-tam concerts, held every Sunday in the summertime.
Rialto Theatre
5723 du Parc Avenue | Place-des-Arts +80 North 514 770-7773 | rialtotheatre.ca
Built in 1923-24 to plans by Montréal architect Joseph-Raoul Gariepy, the Rialto is inspired by Le Palais Garnier (Opéra de Paris). The building comprises several rooms and activities include concerts, theatre, cinema, dance performances, exhibitions, galas, cocktail parties and others, all in a lush environment that boasts marble staircases, painted ceilings, gilded mouldings, and a Tiffany stained-glass dome. The Rialto is one of the jewels of Montréal’s heritage.
Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile End
The eclecticism, creative energy and bohemian spirit emanating from these two dynamic urban hubs are appreciated.
Cafés, bars, shops, bookstores and restaurants are side by side with former textile mills and churches converted into businesses or condos. A true nerve centre of the Montréal artistic community, the Plateau stands out for its lively commercial avenues, its charming shaded residential streets, its colourful houses and its celebrated spiral staircases. Marginal and cosmopolitan, Mile End is totally in tune with the times. Unearth vintage finds, enjoy original dishes, and don’t forget the famous Montréal bagels.
Parc La Fontaine
Bordered by Sherbrooke, Papineau, Rachel and Parc La Fontaine Streets | Sherbrooke | 514 872-0311 ville.montreal.qc.ca/grandsparcs
As soon as the first fine spring weather arrives, people flock in droves to Parc La Fontaine to relax in the shade, to enjoy a picnic and sunbathe. The artificial pond allows visitors to observe a wide range of bird species throughout the summer season and in winter, the pond is transformed into a skating rink complete with music and heated skate rental facilities at the park’s Chalet where restaurant services are also available. The Chalet is also the departure point of the park’s miniature train which delightfully crisscrosses the paths of the park. An outdoor theatre presents events during the summer.
La Maison des cyclistes
1251 Rachel Street East | Mont-Royal | 514 521-8356 velo.qc.ca/en/about-us/maison-des-cyclistes
Located at the crossroads of two major bike paths in Montréal, la Maison des cyclistes is the nerve centre of Québec’s cycling culture. Here, you’ll find a café, a travel agency and a boutique offering a wide selection of books, guides, maps and accessories for cyclists.
Fitz Montréal Bike Tours
1251 Rachel Street East | Mont-Royal | 438 792-6480 fitzmontreal.com
Led by experienced guides, visitors can discover Montréal, its tourist sites and its hidden corners. Or they can rent a bike and ride the city at their own pace. A nice helmet, a lock, a custom map and a personalized riding route are included.
Laurier Avenue
Laurier Running from the neighbourhood of the Plateau-Mont-Royal through Outremont, where you will reach the base of Mount Royal, you’ll find charming, typically designed Montréal homes lining its green sidewalks. Bustling shops, quaint cafes and tantalizing restaurants give visitors and locals plenty to see and do. Stop along the avenue to enjoy an espresso al fresco, to pick up an exquisite home décor item or to play a round of pétanque in the Sir-WilfridLaurier Park. Please see the section on “Mount Royal and Outremont” in the tourist guide for more information on the streets of Outremont.
Le Marché des Possibles 1
Corner of Bernard East and Saint-Dominique Streets Rosemont | popmontreal.com
An outdoor public space hosting cultural events in the summer to reflect the neighbourhood’s creativity and festive community spirit. It features a free and diversified socio-cultural programming that includes musical performances, screenings of films and activities for children. On the premises, you will also find a bar and a biergarten, a market with artists and artisans creations, as well as delicious food provided by local chefs and pop-up restaurants. End of June to mid-August.
Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal
201 des Pins Avenue West | Sherbrooke +144 West 514 849-2919 | museedeshospitalieres.qc.ca
The museum showcases one of the bestpreserved convent ensembles in the city. The complex, built in 1861, includes the former monastery and garden, the hospital, three chapels, a crypt and the museum, located in the former residence of the chaplains. The museum retraces four centuries of Montréal’s rich history, the practice of hospital care, medicine and pharmacy as well as the sacred arts. Guided tours of the garden, monastery, chapel and crypt are offered year round.
Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Between Sherbrooke and Bernard Streets Saint-Laurent North boulevardsaintlaurent.com
Also known as “The Main,” Saint-Laurent Boulevard is one of the most with-it streets in Montréal. It’s where you go to enjoy the rich variety and texture of city life. Take a culinary tour around the globe in its many restaurants. Delight in the creativity of its talented designers goods. Enjoy the summer MURAL Festival, which has turned the boulevard into one of North America’s major centres for street art. Let yourself go into its bars and clubs. Its authentic personality and architecture are the product of over 300 years of history. From the 20th century on, newcomers to Canada chose Saint-Laurent to live and to work, and today its residents and businesses testify to its varied origins. It is a symbolic thoroughfare, marking the point where the city’s French-speaking, English-speaking and immigrant communities meet. It is a true reflection of Canadian multiculturalism.
Dyad
80 Prince Arthur Street East | Sherbrooke 438 380-9880 | dyadcycles.com
Dyad is a one-stop shop where bikes and scooters can be rented and patrons can sign up for guided scooter tours of Montréal. These entertaining cultural outings (including food tastings) offer participants the chance to ride electric scooters through the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. No driver’s license required. For participants aged 18 years or older.
Prince-Arthur Street and Square Saint-Louis
Sherbrooke During the 60’s, Prince-Arthur Street was “the” hippie haven in Montréal. Today a favourite among pedestrian streets, it is extremely lively during summer. Street artists and musicians add character to this restaurant and café-terrasse strewn neighbourhood. Prince-Arthur Street leads to the architecturally rich Square Saint-Louis with its imposing 19th century homes. Attracting well-to-do French-Canadian families to the area in the early 1800s, a number of artists also made their homes around Square Saint-Louis, including renowned poet Émile Nelligan.
Saint-Denis Street – between Gilford and Roy Streets
Mont-Royal | 438 497-5277 | ruesaintdenis.ca
Saint-Denis Street may be on the cutting edge of hip, but its 19th-century heritage charm provides the perfect backdrop to this neighbourhood’s bohemian vibe. With its sidewalk cafés, lively bar scene, trendy boutiques and fine restaurants, Saint-Denis Street is an important shopping street. Designers, art shops and bookstores all beckon. And when shopping is done, strollers can rest their feet and watch the world go by from a sunny outdoor café.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church
309 Rachel Street East | Mont-Royal | 514 842-9811 eglisesjb.com
Built in 1872, the church was destroyed by fire in 1898 and 1911 before being rebuilt in 1912. A Baroque Revival-inspired work of monumental proportions, it is one of the largest churches in Montréal. Concerts are held regularly here.
Mont-Royal Avenue 141 Map p. 89 Ç Mont-Royal | mont-royal.net A great place to shop, Mont-Royal Avenue is full of little treasures: fashion boutiques, bookstores, vinyl record stores, cheese shops, bakeries, restaurants, bars and specialty grocery stores. Summer or winter, in restaurants or cafés, the Plateau’s bohemian residents meet up at Place Gérald-Godin and take part in open markets, torchlight walks, and other events that invigorate the Avenue.
Workshops
Ateliers & Saveurs
4832 Saint-Laurent Blvd. Saint-Laurent + 55 North 514 849-2866 ateliersetsaveurs.com
This innovative school offers cooking classes, cocktail workshops and wine tasting sessions.
Bootlegger, L’Authentique
3481 Saint-Laurent Blvd., 2nd Floor Sherbrooke + 24 West 438 383-2226 | barbootlegger.com
The Bootlegger L’Authentique regularly organises Whiskey tastings where a company representative presents several products from one or more distilleries.
Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec
3535 Saint-Denis Street Sherbrooke | 514 282-5111 ithq.qc.ca
This Canada’s leading hotel management school, specializing in tourism, hospitality, food service, and sommelier training, offers workshops on wines and spirits.
Solography
72 Rachel Street East Saint-Laurent + 55 North 514 835-6306 | solography.ca
You become the photographer and take control of your very own photo session, whether for yourself, your friends, a work group or your family.
Pedestrian streets
Exploring the streets of Montréal
During the summer, pedestrians can enjoy strolling around the city even more freely when many streets are closed off to traffic.
Terraces, artistic installations, pop-up markets, play structures and shows take over the pedestrian streets much to our delight.
More space to explore means more opportunities to make fun discoveries and even make new acquaintances in the city’s different neighbourhoods.
Mont-Royal Avenue, from Saint-Laurent Blvd. to Fullum Street
Wellington Street, from 6th avenue to Régina Street
Sainte-Catherine Street East, from Saint-Hubert Street to Papineau Avenue
Ontario Street East, from Pie-IX Blvd. to Darling Street
Duluth Avenue East, from Saint-Laurent Blvd. to Saint Hubert
Street Saint-Denis Street, from Sherbrooke Street to de Maisonneuve Blvd. East as well as Emery Street
Sainte-Catherine Street West, from Saint-Laurent Blvd. to Bleury Street as well as Clark Street from de Montigny Street to Sainte-Catherine Street West
Places du Marché-du-Nord (Jean-Talon Market), between Casgrain and Henri-Julien Ave.
Bernard Avenue, between Wiseman and Bloomfield Avenues
Castelnau Avenue East, from Saint-Denis Street to De Gaspé Avenue
Montréal’s fascinating neighbourhoods
● Since 1997, Montréal has converted dozens of its back alleys into greenspaces. Initiated by volunteer citizens, the “Ruelles vertes” project helps residents make over Montréal’s laneways and improve the quality of urban life.
● Montréal is considered the official balcony capital, with more than one and a half million balconies. Fun fact: 71% of metropolitan area residents have at least one!
● One of the most common building materials used for Montréal houses is a limestone known as “Montréal Greystone.” It was extracted from local limestone quarries, which have now become some of the city’s beloved neighbourhood parks: Laurier, Marquette and Maisonneuve.
● The outer staircases that grace many Montréal homes are one of the city’s distinctive features and can be found in all different shapes and sizes — L-and S-shaped, straight, single and double. This architectural feature emerged in the mid-19th century, when the construction of two-and three-storey dwellings began in order to accommodate a growing population. Builders soon realized that having common stairways outside made the homes more heat efficient. They were able to take advantage of new municipal regulations requiring the conservation of a small green space in front of homes, which provided space for the external staircases.
● In 1905, Saint-Laurent Street officially became Saint-Laurent Boulevard, affectionately nicknamed “The Main.”
● As the city’s central East-West dividing line, The Main became the starting point for municipal addresses extending outward from the boulevard. In 1924, addresses along the North-South axis were renumbered, starting at the southernmost point, the St. Lawrence River.
● July 1 is also known among Montréal residents as “Moving Day.” Each year, 100,000 Montréal households move on this day. This July 1 tradition most likely comes to us from Scottish settlers, who brought with them the tradition of a fixed date (May 1) for “breaking” their lease in order to find a new home. Eventually the date changed to July 1 to avoid disrupting the school year.
● Montréal is home to the Canadian Centre for Architecture, whose purpose is to promote public awareness about the role architecture plays in society. The CCA also promotes scholarly architectural research and fosters innovative design practices.
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