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Montreal

Culture of Montreal. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Montreal -  vieux montreal Being one of the oldest cities of Canada, Montreal safe keeps the historical heritage and proudly demonstrates numerous historical landmarks and sights to the city visitors. A sightseeing platform equipped on the top of the mountain of the Mont Royal offers a bird’s eye panorama of the majestic city. All the city districts are perfectly seen from the platform. A walk through scenic mountain areas will turn to an unforgettable experience for nature attractions fans. The Notre Dame de Bonsecours church is a must visit destination for all the tourists arriving at Montreal. The church features a unique architectural style and rich decoration of the interior premises. The church neighbors an observatory, thus after the exploration of the ancient religious artifacts tourists may enjoy a sky of stars.
Saint Josephs Oratory, Notre-Dame Basilica, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Saint Patricks Basilica, as well as many others, they all become the world's cultural heritage objects and remain as iconic monuments for Montreal … Open
In close vicinity to the Notre Dame de Bonsecours church one will find the most beautiful square of the city which is decorated with a monument of its founder being Paul Chomedey sieur de Maisonneuve. The same beautiful and majestic is the square named after the queen Victoria. Ancient architecture connoisseurs are recommended to walk through the Mille Carre Dore quarter as this city area has preserved numerous buildings of different epochs. Among them the Meridit Palace is best worth attention. The building is executed in the Italian Renaissance style.
The Hugh Allan mansion is located near the palace. The best landmark of the Hispano-Moresque style is justly considered to be the Clarence-Sole mansion. Plenty of historical landmarks and variety of different architectural styles fused in original building complexes will turn a walk though the historical quarter of the city to an unforgettable journey to the past ages. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
First settlements on the territory of Montreal appeared in 1535. Today Montreal is a modern metropolis, and thousands of tourists come to get acquainted with its attractions. The … Open
A significant landmark of the city is considered to be Windsor Station of Montreal. The railway station was built in the end of the 19th century and since that time the place has not survived any scale renovation. Enjoying the majesty of the building it is hard to imagine that the station is more than a hundred years. Few modern skyscrapers are placed close to the railway station setting original architectural contrast to the architectural landmark.
Old Montreal The Saint Joseph Boulevard will turn to a perfect place for hiking enjoying its scenic views. The boulevard features several old residences. The most significant spot of tourist attraction is considered to be the Church of Jesus Christ Child. Montreal features several dozens of museums telling the city guests about the history and culture of the city. Among numerous cultural establishments the Pointe-a-Calliere Museum of archeology and history as well as the David Stewart Museum of local history are best worth visiting.
Montreal will please family travelers with a vast choice of entertainments. It is interesting to visit Biodome de Montreal here. It is a huge research and entertainment center where you can … Open
The most impressive attraction of the city is Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal. It is a masterpiece of Neo-Gothic architecture. Besides, it is the first church built in the territory of the city (in 1672). In 1824, the Irish architect James O'Donnell projected a new church that replaced the basilica of 1672. In 1872, the construction was completed and the world saw the biggest church in North America. Its interior designed by John Redpath is impressive too. In 1978, the shrine was destroyed by fire. After this, the interior became even more amazing. The visitors are especially impressed by a spiral staircase with balconies and an incredibly beautiful illuminated altar, due to which it seems that you are in a fairyland.
Montreal Another monument of sacral architecture is St. Patrick's Basilica that was built in 1847. In the evening, the area around the church is beautifully illuminated. In Montreal, there are not only Roman Catholic churches. There is also a Muslim temple (Al-Rawdah Mosque) and an Orthodox Church (St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral). The Cimetiere Notre-Dame-des-Neiges is a wonderful place for walks. It is the biggest burial place in the country. Gravestones, chapels, and tombs are real sculpture masterpieces. At the cemetery, outstanding political figures of Quebec were buried.
One of the main dignities of the city of Montreal is a vast selection of gastronomy establishments. Even a sophisticated gourmand will be challenged to choose a proper place to eat among … Open
The Chalet Du Mont Royal is another beautiful building in Montreal. It was built in 1932. Today, a lot of interesting events take place here. Other magnificent architectural monuments are administrative buildings in the biggest city of Quebec. One of them is the Hôtel de Ville de Montréal that was projected in 1878 by Henri-Maurice Perrault. He chose the style that was typical for the Second French Empire. The Palais de Justice was also built by the project of Perrault but was rebuilt in 1973 in the international style.
Saint Josephs Oratory, view from the front garden Tourists should certainly visit Saint Helena and Notre-Dame Islands. In the evenings, the buildings here are illuminated beautifully and create a charming atmosphere. Some of the landmarks are the modern race track Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the luxurious de Montréal casino, and picturesque Jean-Drapeau Park where the Biosphere Museum is located. Another interesting place for walks is the Vieux-Port de Montréal. It is better to come here in summer when the fresh sea air freshens strollers up. Tourists are also impressed by the Quartier des Spectacles. Here, various celebrations, from festivals to public holidays, are held. During celebrations, the square becomes even more atmospheric.
Montreal has been an established place for holding one of the greatest music festivals being the Montreal International Jazz Festival for more than thirty years. The festival takes place at … Open
The Chinatown district (Quartier Chinois) is also worth being visited. It attracts with small traditional and gift shops. In the Underground City, you can discover new Montreal. It is underground Montreal that impresses no less than the real one. This place attracts many tourists not only with the best shops, but also with a unique atmosphere. You can also see graffiti in the city, for example, the Leonard Cohen Mural in Rue Crescent. There is the building with the picture of a Canadian poet, singer, and songwriter. This graffiti harmonizes with other constructions. Here, you can admire street art literally at every turn. Each mural is a true masterpiece.
Saint Josephs Oratory, stairway to upper level Another attractive place is Parc Olympique de Montréal that includes Stade Olympique, Biodôme, and La Tour built specifically for the Olympic Games in 1976. The tower has long become the unforgettable symbol of Montreal. The arena is the biggest stadium in the country. Initially, the Biodôme was built as a cycle track. After the Olympic Games, the Science Museum was opened here. Here, you can walk along the exact copies of four ecosystems of North and South America (the tropics, the North American desert, Saint Lawrence woods, and the circumpolar region, i.e. Arctic and Antarctica). Not far from the museum, there is the Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan and the big garden Jardin Botanique de Montréal.
Apart from different sightseeing tours Montreal offers its guests great facilities for exciting leisure. The Biodome de Montreal center is a perfect place for family visit. The complex … Open
In the district of Outremont, you can discover a “piece of France”. There are small beautiful houses that remind of how France influenced on Canada. Only French-speaking Canadians and Jews live here. As for other constructions in the biggest city of Quebec, the wonderful Tour de l'Horloge built in 1922, the Pont Victoria Bridge that links Montreal and Saint-Lambert, and the La Grande Roue de Montreal that has long become the symbol of the city are worth being visited too. You should also take a ride on the Ferris wheel to see incredibly beautiful landmarks of the city.
Montreal Town Hall The beautiful building Université du Quebec a Montreal (or UQAM) attracts tourists too. It is an impressive example of the combination of modern architectural style and classicism. The educational institution was founded in 1969. Today, it is one of the most prestigious universities in Canada. Another impressive building is Concordia University, one of the two Anglophone universities in Canada. The university has a tragic history: in 1992, Valery Fabrikant shot four colleagues and injured a man here. Due to this most serious massacre in Canada, the university got a bad reputation.
1. Tourists arriving at the airport of Montreal should first find a stall of Guide D'aeroport Montreal-Trudeau on the first level. The stall provides several guiding leaflets for free. The … Open
One of the most extraordinary cultural institutions in Montreal is Barbie Expo. It houses the big collection of Barbie dolls. Art connoisseurs will be impressed by Montreal, as there are a lot of art galleries and museums. Temporary exhibitions are often held here, although many galleries attract with permanent ones. You should visit another unique museum, the Galerie Abyss. It is an art gallery with a separate tattoo zone. Another interesting museum is the Biosphere. It attracts not only with its collection, but also with its interesting round shape. It was opened specifically for the World Fair in 1967 and has become the symbol of Saint Helena.
Park in Montreal If you want to learn about the history of the city, visit the Centre d'Histoire de Montreal. Those who prefer learning local history and culture should visit the Maison Saint-Gabriel. Here, you can learn about traditional crafts and how ordinary people lived in the past. In the city, there is also a museum (Centre des Sciences de Montréal) that tells about the laws of nature. The Montreal Insectarium located in the territory of the Jardin Botanique tells its visitors about various insects that contribute to the natural environment and serve useful functions.
Pied-du-Courant Prison or Prison des Patriotes, as it is named now, is a reminder of a tragic event happened during the uprising in 1837-1838. At that time, there were over 1 500 detainees (in peacetime, there were only 250 prisoners). Here, you can also see a monument to the dead. It was created by Alfred Laliberté. In the city, hundreds of thousands of Jews live, so it is not surprising that there is a museum dedicated to their culture (Musée du Montréal Juif). Also, the locals remember tragic events that happened during the Second World War. You can see pictures, documents, and memorabilia of that time in the Musée de l'Holocauste Montréal.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Montreal and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.

City tours, excursions and tickets in Montreal and surroundings

Plan your own excursion through Montreal: churches, museums and castles

Cathedral of Marie-Reine-du-Monde, Montreal

» The Cathedral of Marie-Reine-du-Monde is a cathedral in Montreal that was built in the late 19th century.
»  The cathedral impresses with its beauty and luxury interior. The free entrance and daily services attract a lot of tourists.
»  Visitors of the cathedral are especially interested in beautiful statues of saint patrons of the city that decorate the facade.
»  High Gothic belfries of the cathedral are architectural attractions of the city.
»  Remarkably, the Cathedral of Marie-Reine-du-Monde is a small but exact copy of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome. Before the construction, the architect traveled to Rome to see masterpieces of famous Italian masters.

Saint Josephs Oratory, Montreal

» St. Joseph Oratory is a place of worship of millions of Catholic pilgrims from Canada and other countries.
»  The Oratory is located on top of Mount Royal and is viewed from any part of the city. To get it, many pilgrims go up 278 steps on their knees.
»  The Oratory is so big that it can accommodate about 10 000 believers.
»  Its dome is 129 m high and is the third highest building in the city.
»  It is believed that the walls of St. Joseph Oratory helps the injured be cured. In the cathedral, there is a wall, to which cured people attach their crutches.

Olympic Stadium, Montreal

» The Olympic Stadium in Montreal is the biggest stadium in Canada. It was built in 1976 and served as the main arena for the Summer Olympic Games.
»  The 175-meter tower with cables supporting the vault of the stadium is the most inclined construction in the world. Its inclination angle is 45 degrees.
»  If you visit an observation platform at the highest point of the tower, you will see that the stadium has the shape of a maple leaf. It is a symbol of Canada.
»  Nowadays, a lot of sports competitions, concerts, and art exhibitions are often held at the stadium. During the Olympics 1976, competitions in equestrianism, athletics, and 10 football matches were held here.
»  At the Olympic stadium, there are several swimming pools, gyms, and rooms for conferences and celebrations.

Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal

» The Notre-Dame Basilica or Basilique Notre-Dame de Montreal is a magnificent Catholic church and one of the most popular attractions in Montreal.
»  The New Gothic cathedral has a luxury interior. Its columns and walls are decorated with gilded ornaments. Ceilings are decorated with moldings and frescoes.
»  In the cathedral, there are a lot of old paintings and statues. Moldings and old stained glass windows give the cathedral a special atmosphere.
»  You can also see here an ancient organ and a gorgeous altar.
»  In this beautiful cathedral, celebrities wedding ceremonies are often held.
»  In the evenings, you can watch sound-and-light shows and learn about the history of the cathedral.

Saint Patricks Basilica, Montreal

» St Patrick's Basilica was built in 1847 for Irish immigrants. Their number increased in Montreal due to famine and other difficulties in Ireland.
»  Initially, the New Gothic church was built at the cape that has a view of the city. For many years, the city has grown fast. As a result, the church is surrounded by modern Montreal.
»  Not so long ago, St Patrick's Basilica was reconstructed for the fourth time. The reconstruction cost $5 million.
»  The windows of the church are decorated with beautiful stained glass windows depicting saints.
»  On the walls, you can see a lot of memorable plates dedicated to famous people who visited services or were baptized here.
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Reference information
Map of all art museums
Art galleries in Montreal and around
♥   Art museum 'Montreal Museum of Fine Arts' Montreal, Quebec, 3.2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'McCord Museum' Montreal, Quebec, 3.4 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'Musée d Art Contemporain' Montreal, Quebec, 3.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'Musée Pointe-à-Callière' Montreal, Quebec, 4.9 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all churches
Cathedrals and basilicas near Montreal
♥   St. Patrick’s Basilica, Montréal, 4.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Ancienne cathédrale Saint-Jacques, Montréal, 4.2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Basilique Notre-Dame, Gray, 4.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Cathédrale de Saint-Sauveur, Montréal, 5.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Cathédrale Saint-Maron, Montréal, 6.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Cocathédrale Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue, Longueuil, 8.9 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Shrine of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Kahnawake, 11.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Car rental on OrangeSmile.com Rentals in Montreal

Expo 2020 in Dubai Was Visited by More Than 7 Million Visitors

If you haven’t visited this event yet, there is still time to book a hotel in Dubai because Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31 March 2022. People who are unable to visit the emirate can make a virtual tour on the Expo 2020 website. By the way, the virtual visitation has already reached 31.6 million by the end of December. Read this

24.04.2024

Photogallery of cultural heritage of Montreal

Landmarks of culture on Montreal map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc

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Excursions over cultural sights of neighbours of Montreal

Culture guide to Montreal. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Montreal: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Montreal. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!
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