Montreal/Old Montreal

By metro

Old Montreal is served by three metro stations — Square-Victoria, Champ-de-Mars, and Place-d'Armes. They are a short walk into the heart of things, but there's a bit of a hill.

By car

Street parking is scarce and runs $3 per hour. Parking complexes run $6/1hr, $15 max, $20 for 12-24 hours.

• Clock Tower Quay, enter from rue Berri or rue de la Commune est.
• Montréal Science Centre, take boulevard Saint-Laurent or rue de la Commune.
• Alexandra Quay, either rue de la Callière or rue de la Commune ouest.
• Complexe Chaussegros-de-Léry, next to Champ-de-Mars metro, has over a thousand spots.

A few small commercial lots operate around City Hall for $20/day. Note that the streets are small and one-way, and thronged with pedestrians in the summer. Plans are in the works to turn rue Saint-Paul into a pedestrian walk, further complicating things.

By bus

Buses don't run in Old Montreal itself, but they can get you within a few blocks.
From the Plateau, the 55 runs down Saint-Laurent to Saint-Jacques and up St. Urbain and the 30 runs down rue Berri (1 block east of Saint-Denis). From downtown, take the 75 de la Commune, get off at McGill/Wellington: it's then a four block walk to the edge of the cobblestone.

By boat

Ferries (navettes) run to and from Île Sainte-Hélène May to October and to the suburb of Longueuil on the south shore.

Old Montreal is small enough that walking is usually the best way to get around. Sidewalks are narrow and the streets cobblestone, making slow going for wheelchairs and strollers.

• Horse drawn carriagesCarriage tours departed from Place d’Armes and the top and bottom of Place Jacques-Cartier. Operation was suspended for a year in 2016 and is expected to end permanently at the end of 2019.

• Segway Tours

  phone: +1 514 613-3300
  Guided tours on a Segway upright scooter, which is a novelty in itself.

• Old Montréal: The Official Walking Tour

  address: 110 rue Notre-Dame ouest
  This 90 minute tour will get you oriented.

Bike rentals

• Vélo Aventure

  phone: +1 514 288-8356
  address: quai des Convoyeurs
  Summer bike and roller blade rentals.

• Montréal On Wheels

  phone: +1 514 866-0633
  Bikes, tandem bikes, roller blades, and accessories such as baby seats. Bike tours also offered.

• Vieux-Port

  address: South of rue Saint-Antoine between rue McGill and rue Berri
  The Old Port is a large waterfront green space with attractions such as Cirque du Soleil, the Montreal Science Center, the Labyrinth, the Clock Tower, and a large outdoor audio-visual stage which is the site for the Canada Day fireworks.

• Place Jacques-CartierPedestrian street filled with street artists and musicians, and there are numerous fine restaurants and private art galleries nearby.

• Bonsecours Market

  address: 350 rue Saint-Paul est

• Notre-Dame Basilica

  phone: +1 514 842-2925
  address: 116 rue Notre-Dame ouest
  Probably the city's most spectacular church, a gem of Victorian Gothic. Service is at 5PM daily and on Sunday morning. Entrance is free for worship, but donations are suggested. During service, the organ music is not to be missed. While it shouldn't have to be mentioned, tourists should be respectful during services. Note that photography is not allowed during services. 20 minute guided tours offered in French or English.

• Montreal Clock Tower

  phone: +1 514 496-7678
  address: Quai de l'Horloge
  Also known as the Sailors' Memorial Clock, the clock tower was built between 1919-1922 as a memorial to sailors lost at sea. Its clock mechanism is similar to Big Ben's and was known for its accuracy; sailors would often set their watches by it. From May to September, visitors can climb the 192 steps to the top of the tower for a good view of Old Montreal and the St. Lawrence River.

Museums

Old Montreal has the largest concentration of historical homes and museums — plus the ultra-modern Montréal Science Centre.

• Marguerite-Bourgeoys Museum and Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel

  phone: +1 514 282-8670
  address: 400 rue Saint-Paul est
  Built in 1655, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours, is the oldest stone church in Montreal. The museum houses artifacts from the church's history and pays tribute to Marguerite Bourgeoys, Montreal's first teacher.

• Pointe-à-Callière

  phone: +1 514 872-9150
  address: 350 place Royale
  A modern museum built over the ruins of Montreal's first settlement, Pointe à Callière. This museum uses audiovisual technology as well as surrounding archaeological remains to tell the story of Montreal from the first natives to the present day.

• Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site

  phone: +1 514 283-2282
  address: 458 rue Notre-Dame est
  Reconstruction of two 19th century Victorian homes.

• Montréal Science Centre

  phone: +1 514 496-4724
  address: 333 rue de la Commune ouest
  Interactive science museum and IMAX theater.

• Centre d'histoire de Montréal

  phone: +1 514 872-3207
  address: 335 place d'Youville
  Covering the history of Montreal from its founding in 1535. The museum is housed in a former fire station that dates from 1903.

• Bank of Montréal Museum

  phone: +1 514 877-6810
  address: 129 rue Saint-Jacques ouest
  Hands-on museum focusing on the history of banking in Montreal.

• Château Ramezay Museum

  phone: +1 514 861-3708
  address: 280 rue Notre-Dame est
  18th century Governor's residence and gardens full of historical artifacts from daily life.

• DHC/ART

  phone: +1 514 286-6626
  address: 451 rue Saint-Jean
  A privately endowed foundation, DHC/ART is a permanent location for exciting and relevant temporary visual arts exhibitions and projects.

• Winter Ice Skating

  address: the Old Port

• Boat rental

• Jet Boating

  phone: +1 514 284-9607
  address: Clock tower pier

Festivals

• Igloofest

• Montréal High Lights

• Harbour Symphonies

Marché Bonsecours

Worth a visit for the neoclassical building itself, Marche Bonsecours houses local art and design boutiques. The Market is open daily 10AM-6PM, 9PM weekends 1 Apr-31 Dec and daily 24 Jun-Labor Day.

• Boutique des métiers d'art du Québec

  phone: +1 514 878-2787
  address: 390 rue Saint-Paul est
  Arts, crafts, and jewelry from over 100 Quebec artists.

• Studio/Boutique gogo•glass

  phone: +1 514 397-8882
  address: 390 rue Saint-Paul est
  Hand blown glass by local artists Annie Michaud and Karine Bouchard. Demonstrations of glass blowing techniques.

Art galleries

• Galerie de Chariot

  phone: +1 514 875-4994
  address: 446 place Jacques-Cartier
  Government-certified Inuit soapstone carvings and historical drawings.

• Michel-ange

  phone: +1 514 875-8281
  address: 430 rue Bonsecours

Restaurants cater to tourists, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few gems that draw locals. Note that many of the restaurants along Place Jacques-Cartier shut down or at least close their terraces and gardens forcing patrons into a smaller, and often less charming, inside dining room. Prices for each range are slightly higher here than elsewhere in the city.

Budget

• Olive & Gourmando

  phone: +1 514 350-1083
  address: 351 rue Saint-Paul ouest
  Popular boulangerie offering fresh sandwiches, soups, and a daily lunch dish and baked goods. Also sells breads, jams, and snacks to take away.

• L'Aventure

  phone: +1 514 866-9439
  address: 438 place Jacques-Cartier
  Pub and bar featuring two terraces in the summer. French bistro cuisine plus soups, salads, pizza, and pastas.

• Marché du Vieux

  phone: +1 514 393-2772
  address: 217 boul Saint-Laurent
  Equal parts bistro and fine-food boutique, Marché du Vieux is a cute spot for a gourmet lunch or snack.

Mid-range

• Restaurant Bonaparte

  phone: +1 514 844-4368
  address: 443 rue Saint-François-Xavier

• Le Jardin Nelson

  phone: +1 514 861-5731
  address: 407 place Jacques-Cartier
  Fancy and filling crepes are the main draw to this historic restaurant and garden courtyard. Offering outdoor jazz and other live music in the summer, it loses some of it's charm in the winter when things move inside.

• Boris Bistro

  phone: +1 514 848-9575
  address: 465 rue McGill
  Popular bistro featuring a large courtyard. Menu offers meats, seafood, and pastas. Try the French fries cooked in duck fat.

• Restaurant Le Fripon

  phone: +1 514 861-1386
  address: 436 place Jacques-Cartier
  Grand historic building with shaded terrace serving French bistro fare, seafood, and pastas. Note the terrace menu is limited to soups, snails, and fries. Bar features wide selection of domestic and imported beers.

• Chez Suzette

  phone: +1 514 874-1984
  address: 3 rue Saint-Paul est
  Crepes and fondue in a cozy, family-friendly spot. Wine and cider at SAQ prices + $5.

• Sushi-ya

  phone: +1 514 315-7472
  address: 350 rue Saint-Paul est
  Well-executed and beautifully presented sushi and tempura in an elegant dining room. Staff speaks English as well as French.

Splurge

• Gibby's

  phone: +1 514 282-1837
  address: 298 place d'Youville
  Fancy steakhouse housed in a 200 year old former stable, popular with tourists. Reservations strongly recommended.

• Le Saint-Gabriel

  phone: +1 514 878-3561
  address: 426 rue Saint-Gabriel
  French fine cuisine with a taste of Quebec from the first North America alcohol licence, issued in 1754.

• Chez L'epicier Restaurant Bar a Vin

  phone: +1 514 878-2232
  address: 311 rue Saint-Paul est
  Order from the imaginative menu or put yourself in the chef's capable hands for a five course tasting menu. Ask ahead for all-vegetarian or fish and vegetables only. Save room for the "chocolate club sandwich."

• Kyo Bar Japonais

  phone: +1 514 282-2711
  address: 711 côte de la Place-d'Armes
  Upscale Japanese restaurant and sushi bar with a menu based on izakaya classics and an extensive sake selection.

• Toqué!

  phone: +1 514 499-2084
  address: 900 place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
  In 1993, chef Normand Laprise put Montreal cuisine on the map with this landmark restaurant, and after more than 10 years, it's still going strong in a new location. Combining the latest trends in fine dining with local and regional produce, the chefs create spectacularly complex dishes in tiny, but strangely satisfying portions. The house specialty is an eight-course surprise menu, made up of many small dishes. This restaurant will take a bite out of your wallet, but serious foodies will find it worth the cost.

Old Montreal has limited nightlife options as most bars and lounges are found in hotels or part of restaurants. Standalone bars are more popular for after-work drinks than the late-night partying which happens in the Plateau and Downtown's Crescent Street.

• Pub St-Paul

  phone: +1 514 874-0485
  address: 124 rue Saint-Paul est
  Big space, popular with tours. Offers pub grub and a view of the river during the day and live music (Th-Sa 10PM). Cheap (for Old Montreal) and casual.

• Santos

  phone: +1 514 849-8881
  address: 191 rue Saint-Paul ouest
  Cafe-by-day and bar-by-night, Santos is the place to escape your hotel lobby for a martini and late night snack of "Pop Food", their take on tapas. Live jazz on Thursdays, DJ on the weekends. Reservations recommended for Saturday nights. Weekend covers start around $20.

• Wunderbar

  phone: +1 514 395-3195
  address: 901 rue du Square-Victoria
  Trendy spot on the edge of Old Montreal. Expect cover charges and a line at the door. Changing out of your sight-seeing clothes and into something swanky will probably help get you in the door.

• Suite 701

  phone: +1 514 904-1201
  address: 701 côte de la Place-d'Armes
  "Suite" sums it up for this high-end lounge popular with the executive set. Leather couches and sipping scotches.

Budget

• Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal

  phone: +1 514-282-8069
  address: 358 rue Saint-Pierre
  Housed in a 19th-century warehouse, this hostel boasts fair trade coffee, wi-fi, an organic continental breakfast, and a range of activities and classes. Kitchen and laundry facilities provided. Often full, reservations recommended.

Mid-range

• Auberge Vieux Port

  phone: +1 514-876-0081
  address: 97 rue de la Commune est
  A good deal for the price, this historical building, set back from the street, books up early.

• Le Westin Montreal

  phone: +1 514-380-3333
  address: 270 rue Saint-Antoine ouest
  454 large and well-appointed guestrooms at the gateway to Old Montreal. Each room features the ten-layer Heavenly Bed, and the hotel also offers a unique glass-bottom pool.

• Hotel Epik Montreal

  phone: +1 514-842-2634
  address: 171 rue Saint-Paul ouest
  Three-star boutique hotel.

• Trylon Hotels

  phone: +1 514 843-3971
  address: 3463 Rue Sainte Famille
  A modern renovated hotel. Rooftop terrace, lounge, indoor pool. 2 min from the entertainment district & grocery store.

Splurge

• Hotel St-Paul

  phone: +1 514-380-2222
  address: 355 rue McGill
  This self-described "design hotel" in Old Montreal features uber-modern rooms on the edge of the historical district. See Eat and Drink for bars and restaurants in the same building.

• Hotel Nelligan

  phone: +1 514-788-2040
  address: 106 rue Saint-Paul ouest
  Falling somewhere between posh and opulent, the Nelligan offers large rooms with king beds, loft-style suites, and rooftop two-room penthouses above a fine French restaurant. Some rooms with fireplaces, and jacuzzi-tubs for two.

• Hotel Gault

  phone: +1 514-904-1616
  address: 449 rue Sainte-Hélène
  Feels like you're stepping into Architectural Digest with ultra-modern furniture and rooms in a converted warehouse. Very helpful staff.

• Le Saint Sulpice

  phone: +1 514-288-1000
  address: 414 rue Saint-Sulpice
  Four-star boutique hotel offering four types of luxury suites.

• Le Petit Hotel

  phone: +1 514-940-0360
  address: 168 rue Saint-Paul ouest
  A boutique hotel, Le Petit Hotel is charming, chic and hip in the middle of Old Montreal. It combines 19th-century architecture with 21st century tech such as Wi-Fi, iPod docking station, LCDs, Nintendo Wii and multi-jet showers.

• InterContinental Montréal

  phone: +1 514-987-9900
  address: 360 rue Saint-Antoine ouest

• W Montreal

  phone: +1 514-395-3100
  address: 901 rue du Square-Victoria
  A luxury hotel, the W Montreal has 152 rooms, spa, and a restaurant - Otto Ristorante. This hotel is between downtown and Old Montreal.

There are no cyber-cafes in Old Montreal, but a few cafes and restaurants in the area participate in Île Sans Fils, Montreal's free, public wi-fi program. Your best bet, if you're without laptop, is to ask to use the business center at one of the larger hotels-—expect to be charged accordingly.

• Planète Sans-Fil

  address: 333 rue de la Commune ouest
  Free wi-fi access outside the Planète Sans-Fil (Wireless Planet) office.

• Pizzedelic

  phone: +1 514 286-1200
  address: 39 rue Notre-Dame ouest
  Funky upscale thin-crust pizza place with full bar. Salads, soups, pastas also on the menu. Try the apples and sultana raisin pizza for something a little different. Free wi-fi.

• Cluny Artbar

  phone: +1 514 866-1213
  address: 257 rue Prince
  Hip art gallery/bar/café with free wi-fi.