Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal)

Exploring Old Montreal is the best way to experience the city’s history, culture, and architecture. Myriad group and private tours are designed to introduce visitors to a combination of all three on foot, by bike, by scooter, or even from the air. Choose a night tour if you prefer an after-dark atmosphere, or a food tour to dive into the local food-truck and craft-beer scenes.

• Walking tours are a great way to experience Old Montreal, as the best way to get around this part of the city is on foot.

• Old Montreal is known for its quaint sidewalk eateries and café culture, so it's a great place to stop for a drink or a bite.

• Be sure to wear appropriate footwear for the cobblestone streets.

• Private tours often also visit nearby Mont Royal.

Old Montreal is bound by Rue Bern to the west, Rue Saint-Antoine to the north, Rue McGill in the east, and Old Port and the St. Lawrence River to the south. The area is easily accessible from Downtown via the Underground City, and can be reached by several bus routes and metro stations (Square-Victoria, Place-d'Armes, and Champ-de-Mars on the orange line).

Summer typically brings the best weather, the biggest festivals, and the most tourists to Montreal. But the city is charming in winter as well, and Old Montreal becomes even more scenic and romantic after fresh snowfall.

The historic area’s pulsating center is Place Jacques-Cartier. From here, its center promenade slopes down from Rue Notre-Dame to the Old Port, lined with 18th-century stone buildings. At the base of the plaza are horse-drawn carriages, outdoor cafés, art galleries, and street performers. Nearby, you’ll find the Bonsecours Market, the oldest and largest public market in the city, and the stone Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel. West of Place Jacques-Cartier is the beautiful Place d’Armes, dominated by the Notre-Dame Basilica. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Archaeology and History are also worth visiting.