Bounded by the Old Port, Saint-Jacques, Rue Berri and Rue McGill, Montreal's historic core was originally enclosed within imposing stone walls erected in the early 1700s. During the 19C the settlement expanded and Montrealers moved outside the fortif..

This vast recreational area is situated in the eastern part of Montreal, which was known in the past as the city of Maisonneuve. Created by wealthy Francophone businessmen, the prosperous community launched a program of development during the late 19..

Lined with outdoor cafes and flower parterres, this charming cobblestone square is lively all summer, especially in the evenings, when street musicians and acrobats entertain the crowds. Created in 1847, the square was named for the famous explorer w..

Along with Rue Notre-Dame, this narrow street is one of the oldest in Montreal. Its curves and dips are explained by its origins as a footpath along the riverbanks between the fort and the hospital. In 1672, Dollier de Casson straightened the street ..

Bordered by Rue Saint-Jacques to the east, Rue Sherbrooke to the west, and Saint-Denis and Atwater streets to the north and south, the city's commercial and cultural heart lies to the west of Old Montreal. The downtown developed into a prosperous and..

Opened in 1992, this museum complex brings alive the fascinating history of Montreal from its very beginnings here at Callière Point. In the contemporary Éperon Building (don't forget to climb the tower for a great view of the modern city), visitors ..

Rising to the west of the Place des Arts, this imposing edifice houses Canada's only institution devoted exclusively to contemporary art. Spacious, well-lit galleries display works selected from the permanent collection of more than 7,000 paintings, ..

Montreal's premier cultural complex for the visual and performing arts consists of three structures bordering a central square. The imposing concert hall (1963) is flanked by a theatre building (1967) and the city's contemporary art museum (1992). Th..

One of Canada's foremost historical museums, the McCord was founded in 1921 and underwent extensive renovation in 1991. Holdings provide a fascinating insight into Canadian history, from the era of Indian settlement to the present day. In addition to..

This enormous edifice (1989) of rose marble blocks partitioned by sheets of pastel blue glass occupies the entire left side of the block between Rue Sainte-Catherine and Boulevard de Maisonneuve. Conceived by the architects E. Zeidler, E. Argun and P..

This magnificent Beaux-Arts edifice (1913), constructed of steel sheathed in white granite and adorned with colossal colonnades on its four façades, occupies the entire east side of Dorchester Square. Headquarters of the Sun Life Insurance Company, t..

This 140-year-old institution boasts a permanent collection of over 33,000 objects ranging from Old Masters to contemporary Canadian art. The Beaux-Arts main edifice, known as the North Pavilion (1912), presents Canadian art, decorative arts and anti..

Opened to the public in 1876, the city's premier urban park was designed by American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, creator of New York City's Central Park. Along with various plants and animals, the park has a lake, two lookout points, a..

Known to Montrealers as "the Mountain," Mt. Royal has become one of the city's most popular leisure spots. Rising abruptly from the otherwise flat plain, the 233m/764ft mountain forms part of the Monteregian Hills, a series of eight peaks l..

Constructed to accommodate the 1976 Olympic Games, this gigantic sports complex has become the symbol of Montreal's East End. The park includes a stadium and tower, a sports centre with six swimming pools, and a velodrome, which now houses the Biodôm..

Over 21,000 international plant species are exhibited in 10 greenhouses and 30 outdoor gardens. The reception centre (1995) leads to an introduction greenhouse for a preview of the plant kingdom. The serres d'exposition (conservatories) present a wid..

Dominating the northern section of Montreal, this famed Roman Catholic shrine, set on the slope of Mt. Royal, is distinguished by its colossal dimensions and an octagonal, copper-clad dome. A small chapel dedicated to the healing powers of St. Joseph..

Situated across from City Hall, this squat, fieldstone residence (1705) is a lovely example of early-18C domestic architecture. Constructed for Claude de Ramezay, 11th governor of Montreal during the French regime, the building has undergone several ..

Originally constructed to house Montreal's first interior market, this building (1845) occupies the former site of the Intendant's Palace, destroyed in 1796. With its 163m/535ft freestone façade and lofty dome, the elegantly ornamented structure is b..

This limestone, mansard-roofed structure, composed of two adjoining houses, was the home of George-Étienne Cartier (1814-73), one of the Fathers of Confederation. Displays trace his life and career as a lawyer, businessman and politician. Refurbished..