Montreal Places
These are the places in Montreal that we profiled. Everything on this list is recommended (although, in some cases, with reservations: read detailed reviews for more information).
- La Grande Biliothèque
- 475, Boulevard de Maisonneuve Est
Built between 2001 and 2004 and officially inaugurated in 2005, La Grande Bibliothèque is the main branch of the Québec National Library and Archives (BNQ). It is visited by thousands of people every day (estimates vary, but the latest numbers indicate over 12,000 visitors daily). - Place Ville Marie
- 1 Place Ville Marie
Built between 1957 and 1962, the cruciform tower was one of the first skyscrapers in Montreal. - Canadian Centre for Architecture
- 1920 Rue Baile
Built around an existing structure (Shaughnessy House, visible only from Boulevard René-Lévesque) which was bought out by the Centre's founder, Phyllis Lambert, this museum contains a collection of photos, drawings, prints and other artifacts. Temporary exhibition space, a study and a book store are located in the central section. - Musée d'archéologie Pointe-à-Callière
- 350 Place Royale
Occupying the spot where the French explorers docked when they arrived at what was to become Montreal, this triangular building (whose shape evoking a silhouette of a ship), houses the Musée d'archéologie et d'histoire de Montréal - the only sizeable archeology museum in the country. (The museum actually occupies several buildings, the Pointe-à-Callière being the main one, marking the museum's entrance). Built for the celebrations of the 350th anniversary of the city, the Pointe-à-Callière is considered one of the better examples of post-modern buildings in the city. - Montreal Modern Art Museum
- 185, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
This compact museum located in the Place des Arts complex holds over 7,000 works in its permanent collection. It was founded by the provincial government in 1964. - The Lafontaine Park
-
- ITHQ
- 3535 rue St-Denis
Originally a rather unattractive Brutalist building, the ITHQ was redesigned in 2005 by the architects of Lapointe Magne and Aedifica. The new "skin" has a dual role - it gives the building a more attractive "shell" and actually helps conserve heat (not a trivial use considering Montreal's climate). - Biosphère
- 160 Chemin Tour-de-l'Isle
Built by Buckminster Fuller for the World Expo of 1967, the sphere became the symbol of an epoch in Montreal - a logo of sorts, representing the optimism of the "new" Quebec and "new" Montreal. It is, without a doubt, an important contemporary architecture landmark. Today, the Biosphère houses the museum of water and the environment. - Notre-Dame de Montréal
- 110 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest
Overlooking Place d'Armes in the very center of Old Montreal, this impressive church was designed by James O'Donnell, an Irish-American Protestant from New York (who did, however, converted to catholicism before his death). - Habitat 67
- 2600 Avenue Pierre-Dupuy
Commissioned by the city for World Expo 67, this groundbreaking housing complex by then very young architect Moshe Safdie elicits contractictory emotions from Montreal visitors and residents alike. Some praise its unique concept, valuing privacy, access to the city center, versatile apartment shapes providing multiple exposures and a patch of green space ("everybody gets a rooftop garden!"), street-like configuration of its hallways and amazing views afforded by its location. Others criticise the stern fortress-like look and point out that the project essentially failed as a stand-alone housing community (because of the unexpectedly high cost of engineering, the complex was only partially built). One thing is certain, nobody is indifferent. - Marché Bonsecours
- 350 Rue St-Paul Est
Architecturally imposing building of the former city market. - Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
- 1380 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Founded in 1860, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal) shows the work of Canadian and international artists. It is Montreal's largest museum.
