Old Montreal
The historic quarter of Canada's cultural capital - cobbled streets and grand stone buildings by the old port, crowned by the breathtaking blue-and-gold Notre-Dame Basilica.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Old Montreal is the historic heart of Canada's vibrant, French-speaking cultural capital, a quarter of cobbled streets and handsome grey-stone buildings gathered by the old port on the St Lawrence. Its crowning glory is the Notre-Dame Basilica, whose breathtaking interior glows deep blue and gold beneath a star-spangled vault, and its squares, cafes and galleries hum with the city's celebrated joie de vivre.
What you actually see
- Notre-Dame Basilica - the breathtaking blue-and-gold Gothic Revival interior.
- The cobbled streets - the old lanes and squares of the quarter.
- The Old Port - the waterfront promenade on the St Lawrence.
- Place Jacques-Cartier - the lively square of cafes and street life.
When to go
Summer for warm weather, festivals and terrace life, as Montreal is a city of festivals; autumn for colour and December for Christmas markets. Winters are long and cold but the city thrives with underground city and winter events.
Honest expectations
The old quarter is touristy and its restaurants pricier than the rest of the city, so venture into the Plateau and Mile End for local flavour. Winters are harsh. The basilica charges entry and can be busy. It is the historic core of a much larger, lively city worth exploring.
Nearby
Mount Royal park, the Plateau and the city's markets are elsewhere in Montreal; Quebec City is a few hours east.
What to pack for Old Montreal
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
