Audio Guide: Old Montreal Walking Tour (Self Guided), Montreal

Down by Montreal’s Old Port, where ships once arrived after long, uncertain Atlantic crossings, sailors had a habit of saying thank you properly. In 1771, they built the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Help (that is, if you want the full poetic version), as a pilgrimage site to honour the Virgin for her “good help” in getting them across the ocean in one piece. Today, it still stands as the oldest surviving chapel in the Old Town—not bad for a building that has already outlived one predecessor...

Because yes—this chapel has layers. It sits directly on top of an earlier church from 1675 that didn’t survive a fire. Head down into the crypt, and you’re not merely underground; you’re stepping into centuries. Excavations have revealed the foundations of that first temple, along with artifacts from both First Nations indigenous communities and the French colonial era—including fragments of Montreal’s early fortifications. In essence, this basement serves more as a “time capsule,” enhanced by the audio tour that fills in the stories behind the stones.

Considering its prime harbour address, it’s no surprise that the chapel picked up the nickname “the Sailors’ Church.” Inside, the decor is simple but quietly striking. Lift your eyes, and you will spot delicate model ships suspended from the ceiling—ex-votos offered in gratitude, tiny wooden thank-you notes from those who made it safely home.

And if you're feeling energetic, climb the wooden staircase into the spire. From there, the view opens wide with the Old Port, the Saint Lawrence River, the harbour, and the remnants of the Expo 67 exhibition. You may also spot the statue of Our Lady of the Harbour, famously name-checked in Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne” song, where “the sun pours down like honey.” Up close, you can even inspect the rooftop angels keeping watch over the city.

The chapel also houses the Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum, dedicated to the saintly founder of the Notre-Dame congregation. Her remains were returned here in 2005, resting in the sanctuary she helped shape.

So, ultimately, what looks like a pretty stop by the water is in fact a story of fire and survival, voyages and gratitude, saints and sailors—all tucked into one remarkably resilient little chapel...

Bonsecours Market (Marché Bonsecours) owes its name to the adjacent Chapel of Our Lady of Good Help (Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours).

Inaugurated in 1847, for over a century this was the primary agricultural market for the Montreal area. Also, for a brief period – just one session, in 1849 – the building housed the Legislative Assembly (Parliament) of United Canada and, throughout 1852-1878, accommodated the Montreal City Hall.

The elongated two-story Neoclassical edifice with a tin-plated dome and columns is considered one of the main achievements of Canadian architecture. In 1984, it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. The design – by British architect William Footner – was influenced by Dublin's Customs House. Further additions, including a 900-square-meter concert and banquet hall, completed in 1860, were designed by Irish-born Montreal architect George Browne.

The building continued to serve as the farmer's central market, as well as a venue for banquets, exhibitions, and festivals until it was closed in 1963. After standing idle for a few years, it was slated for demolition.

Luckily, the property was later transformed into a multi-purpose facility with a mall incorporating outdoor cafés, restaurants, and exclusive boutiques selling authentic Canadian crafts such as jewelry, leather, and hand-blown glass – all made in Quebec. Those keen on maple tree products will be particularly delighted to find here a huge variety of relevant merchandise including beer, wine, butter, and even lollipops.

However, if shopping isn't your prime interest, you may just as well walk around the site and find some pretty angles to photograph the building's grand-looking exterior. Or, perhaps, grab yourself a seat in one of the cafés and restaurants lining the facade and have a good time.

If city halls could talk, Montreal’s would probably deliver its line in perfect French and English and remind you it was the first purpose-built municipal seat in Canada. Today, Montreal City Hall still runs the show, housing the Mayor, the City Council, and the administrative machinery that keeps the city humming.

Built between 1872 and 1878, this five-storey statement piece is one of Canada’s finest examples of Second Empire architecture. In other words, it’s dressed to impress. The grey limestone façade comes layered with turrets, balconies, and mansard roofs that seem to tip their hats to Paris. Then, there’s the clock tower, rising 45 metres above the street, crowned by a statue of the city’s founder, Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve—still keeping an eye on things, centuries later.

At one time, this grand dame survived drama. Back in March 1922, a fire tore through the building, gutting the interior and taking many of Montreal’s historical records with it. Only the outer walls remained standing—stubborn, dignified, and slightly smoky. Rather than start from scratch, the city rebuilt within the surviving shell, adding a self-supporting steel structure and modelling the redesign after the city hall of Tours in France. The revived building reopened in February 1926, proving that municipal pride, indeed, can burn brighter than any blaze...

Inside, the Hall of Honour makes it clear this is no ordinary office space. Marble, gold detailing, Art Deco lamps from Paris, and a bronze-and-glass chandelier weighing a metric ton. In the council chamber, five stained-glass windows from the 1920s quietly spell out the pillars of the city: Religion, Agriculture, Sea Port, Commerce, and Finance. In 1984, the building earned its official badge of honour as a National Historic Site of Canada.

And here’s the pleasant surprise: unlike many government buildings, this one actually lets you in. Free guided tours—offered in both English and French—are available, with schedules posted at the entrance.

Just behind the building lies the Field of Mars, once a military parade ground and later a parking lot—because history sometimes does enjoy a bit of irony... In the 1980s, it became a park, and during the makeover, workers uncovered remnants of the old city fortifications. Today, those restored walls share space with lawns and pathways, where Montreal’s past and present casually coexist.

Overlooking the Montreal City Hall from across Notre-Dame Street is the Ramezay Castle (Château Ramezay). This historic "château" was built in 1705 as the residence of the then-governor of the city, Claude de Ramezay, who paid for its construction out of his own pocket. This was the first building proclaimed as a historical monument in Quebec and was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1949.

Over the course of its three-century-long history, the building went through many incarnations, changing several owners and serving different functions. These included head offices for the French West India Company (1745-64) and the Canadian headquarters for the Continental Army in 1775. Benjamin Franklin stayed here overnight in 1776 while trying to raise troops to fight for the Americans in the American Revolutionary War. After the British Conquest, the house once again served as a governor's residence, this time for the British governors. And in 1878, the building hosted the University of Montreal's (Université de Montréal) first Faculty of Medicine.

In 1894, the property was bought by the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal and turned into a historical museum and portrait gallery. Today, its collection comprises some 30,000 objects, mainly gifts from private donators, including manuscripts, printed publications, numismatics, ethnological items, paintings, prints, and other works of art, as well as furniture.

Although multimedia displays take you through the building's evolution, the real focus is on the history and progression of the city, from the time of its foundation until Confederation. One of its highlights is the Salle de Nantes, a mahogany-paneled room from 1725, whose decoration was rightly or wrongly attributed to Germain Boffrand, chief architect to Louis XIV and Louis XV. The room was part of the French pavilion at the 1967 Expo and was donated to the museum shortly after. There are also kid-oriented exhibits, at the basement level.

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is a church that doesn’t whisper modestly from the sidelines. It steps confidently into the spotlight as one of the grand showpieces of Gothic Revival architecture in North America. Designed by Irish-American architect James O'Donnell and largely completed in 1829, this temple proves that Montreal doesn’t do subtle when it comes to sacred spaces.

Its sanctuary was constructed a year later, and then came the towers—because, apparently, one dramatic silhouette wasn’t enough. The West Tower, known as La Persévérance, houses a bourdon bell affectionately called Jean-Baptiste. Cast in 1848 and weighing a polite 10,900 kilograms, it doesn’t ring for just anything. Funerals, major religious festivals, Christmas Eve—Jean-Baptiste has standards. Across the façade, the East Tower, called La Tempérance, contains a ten-bell carillon, also from the 1840s, ready to chime with considerably more enthusiasm.

By 1865, the façade was complete, crowned with three statues—of the Virgin Mary for Montreal, Saint John the Baptist for Quebec, and Saint Joseph for Canada—created by French sculptor Henri Bouriché. It’s practically a stone family portrait of the nation...

Once inside, any expectation of restraint disappears. The interior is a riot of colour, carved wood, painted columns, statues, and stained glass. And here’s the twist: the windows don’t focus on biblical scenes. Instead, they tell stories from Montreal’s own history. It’s less “Old Testament” and more “local greatest hits.”

Then, there’s the magnificent pipe organ by Casavant Frères, installed in 1891. Four keyboards. Around 7,000 pipes. It doesn’t accompany music—it commands it.

In 1982, Pope John Paul II elevated the church to minor basilica status, and in 1989, it became a National Historic Site of Canada. Today, more than 11 million visitors pass through its doors each year. Even the ten-dollar admission fee fails to discourage the crowds—because grandeur, apparently, is recession-proof.

This basilica has also seen its share of headline moments: Céline Dion married here in 1994, and former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was honoured here in 2000. From pop royalty to political royalty, the guest list is impressive...

If you enjoy choral and organ music, keep an ear out for performances—including Handel’s Messiah at Christmas. The on-site brochure doubles as a handy self-guide, and there’s a free 20-minute English or French tour at entry. And if you can, book ahead for the “AURA” light show. Sit somewhere in the middle. Rest assured—when 7,000 pipes meet immersive light, you’ll want the full effect...

One of the oldest public spaces in Montreal, Arms' Square has a rather epic history to it, dating back over 300 years. The name itself sounds dramatic, and rightly so. “Pláce d'Armes” was the classic French term for a military gathering ground, a place where defenders assembled in uncertain times. This is actually the third spot in Montreal to carry this title, and it wears it well.

But the square didn’t always go by such a bold name. When it first appeared in 1693, it was called Place de la Fabrique—or Factory Square—before being renamed, in 1721, for having hosted drills and military parades. Then came a surprising career change: from 1781 to 1813, it operated as a hay and wood market. By 1836, the city acquired it, turned it into a Victorian garden, and by 1850—once Notre-Dame Street was completed—the square settled into the shape we recognize today.

At the centre of it stands Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, founder of the city, cast in bronze since 1895. Sword in hand, he commemorates the defense of the early Ville-Marie settlement against the Iroquois Indians.

Still, the real show isn’t the paving stones. It’s the architecture forming a perfect historical surround-sound. On one side rises the majestic Notre-Dame Basilica. Nearby, stands the Saint-Sulpice Seminary, dating to the 1680s and considered Montreal’s oldest building.

Across the square, the Bank of Montreal headquarters—Canada’s first bank—opened in 1859. Then came the New York Life Building in 1887, Montreal’s first skyscraper, proudly equipped with what was then a thrilling novelty: an elevator.

The skyline continued evolving with the Royal Trust, the Duluth Building (sitting to the left of the basilica), and in 1931, the Art Deco Aldred Building, designed to let sunlight reach the street below. By 1968, the modern National Bank Tower—all glass and steel—added a post-war punctuation mark to the timeline.

And just when you think it’s all solemn history, two sculptures break the tension: a rather haughty English gentleman with his pug, and a French lady with her poodle. The dogs seem ready to make friends; their owners, not so much. It’s a playful nod to centuries of rivalry—played out in stone and fur.

Today, horse-drawn carriages depart from the square, benches invite you to linger, and cafés tempt you to pause. So, do sit here for a moment. Around you, three centuries of Montreal are quietly arguing—and getting along just fine...

Standing prominently on Place d’Youville, the former Central Fire Station in Montreal is a distinctive landmark that blends architectural charm with deep historical roots. Built between 1903 and 1904 by architects Joseph Perrault and Simon Lesage, the building was originally designed as the headquarters for the Montreal Fire Department. Its Flemish-inspired architecture-uncommon in the city at the time-features buff sandstone, red brick, a mansard roof with a skylight, and a striking square tower capped by a hipped roof. This stylistic choice set it apart from surrounding structures and continues to draw the eye today.

When the station opened in 1904, it operated with horse-drawn steam pumps, symbolizing the era’s firefighting technology. By 1908, it had transitioned to a district station, and the gradual modernization of equipment saw motor vehicles replace horses by 1931. The building remained in active service until 1972, faithfully serving Montreal’s growing urban population. Following its decommissioning, the structure stood unused until its revival in the early 1980s.

In 1983, the fire station was reborn as the Montreal History Centre, a museum dedicated to preserving and presenting the city’s heritage. This new function not only ensured the building’s preservation but also allowed visitors to engage with Montreal’s past in a setting rich with historical resonance. The unique combination of civic architecture and cultural programming made it a meaningful stop for both locals and tourists.

Though the museum has since moved to a new location, the former Central Fire Station remains a symbol of Montreal’s adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. Its story reflects the city’s ongoing dialogue between preservation and progress-a place where bricks and mortar continue to speak of lives, labor, and transformation across generations.

Old Montreal is, indeed, old. Walking through it, you will pass along narrow streets lined with buildings that, in some cases, predate Canada as an independent nation. But stepping inside the Pointe-a-Calliere museum will make you see things that are even older – right from the Natives era.

Dedicated to the history and archaeology of Montreal, this museum was founded in 1992, and named after the site of the original settlement of Fort Ville-Marie (precursor of Montreal) – Pointe-a-Calliere.

The museum complex consists of several locations, connected by underground passages, among which are the Mariners' House, the Youville Pumping Station, and the Éperon Building housing the main exhibition spaces.

The museum's exhibits cover a wide range of topics, such as the First Nations heritage, the French colonial period, the British colonial period, and the city's industrialization and modernization. There are also exhibits dedicated to specific topics, such as the history of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team, the archaeology of the city's sewers, and the role of Montreal in the Underground Railroad.

One of the highlights of the complex is the Archaeological Crypt, located beneath the Éperon Building. The crypt contains the ruins of some of Montreal's earliest buildings, including its first Catholic cemetery and the old city hall. Another notable exhibit is the Multimedia Show, which is held in the Mariners' House and uses a combination of sound, light, and video to tell the story of Montreal from its earliest days to the present.

The museum also houses a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions that showcase different aspects of Montreal's history, such as the city's role in the fur trade, its importance as a port city, and its cultural diversity. One of the most popular exhibits is called "Building Montreal", exploring the city's architectural heritage through the centuries.

In addition to the exhibits, the Pointe-a-Calliere Museum has a restaurant and a gift shop, which sells souvenirs, books, and other items related to Montreal's history and culture.

Tip:
If you have kids, it's worth checking the museum website to see what's going on for the little ones.

Saint-Paul (Rue Saint-Paul) is the oldest street in Montreal, laid out in 1673 according to a plan by François Dollier de Casson. It follows the path that once bordered the northern edge of the former Fort Ville-Marie and is named after Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, founder of the fort and the first governor of Montreal, who built a home for himself in this area in 1650.

Unlike other – straight – streets drawn by Dollier de Casson, the cavernous cobblestone Saint-Paul is a bit winding. Centered on Royal Square (Place Royale), a major marketplace until 1803, it was destined to become, for many years, the city's main thoroughfare. In the 19th century, Old Montreal was the cradle of the local press, making Saint Paul home to a multitude of French- and English-language newspapers and journals. Busy day and night, the street was the first in the city to benefit from oil lighting.

There are several historic buildings lining Saint-Paul such as the Intendance Palace of 1698 and the Vaudreuil Castle (Château de Vaudreuil) of 1724. The street is also home to such prominent landmarks as the Bonsecours Market and the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Help (Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours). It also boasts perhaps the highest in the city concentration of tourist-themed souvenir shops, art galleries, boutique hotels, lively rooftop terraces, cafés, and eateries with international cuisine.

Tip:
In case you are budget-conscious, remember that the prices in this area are a bit higher than usual.

Open to the public in September 2017, to mark the 375th anniversary of the city, The Big Wheel of Montreal (La Grande Roue de Montréal) is the tallest Ferris wheel in Canada, standing at 60 metres (200 feet). It is also the fourth of its type installed worldwide following those in Hong Kong (2014), Baku (2014), and Chicago (2016).

Situated directly on the river, on Bonsecours Basin Island in the Old Port of Montreal, the wheel provides a 360° view of the city, including Old Montreal, its historic buildings, Jacques-Cartier Square (Place Jacques-Cartier), and the architecture of Downtown Montreal with Royal Mountain (Mont-Royal) as the backdrop. To the south, unfolds the Saint Lawrence River and its seaway, while in the middle of the river, you can see Saint Helen's Island and Notre Dame Island – the former sites for Expo 67. In the evening, the dominant view is the illuminated Mount Royal Cross accompanying the changing lighting on Jacques-Cartier Bridge.

The wheel has 42 passenger units, each capable of carrying up to 8 persons, for a total capacity of 336 passengers. The climate-controlled cabins are suitable for use all year round, day and night, in temperatures down to −40 °C (−40 °F) and winds of up to 240 kilometres per hour.

A small park by the wheel contains modern and clean facilities including a restaurant, a cafe with an ice cream parlor, a gift shop, and restrooms.

Package deals are available for families, and those wanting VIP rides, yearly passes, and more. You do not have to book or reserve a time in advance – just show up and pay. Certainly not a bad addition to an Old Montreal itinerary!

Located on the north bank of the Saint Lawrence River, the historic Old Port of Montreal (Vieux-Port de Montréal) stretches for over two kilometers (1.2 miles) south of Old Montreal, in a natural harbor that was once frequented by Amerindian canoes and then by barges and ships of French fur traders and others.

In service from as early as 1611, the port bore witness to the economic and cultural development of Montreal and remained in use until 1976, when the present Port of Montreal was launched further east. In the early 1990s, the territory was redeveloped and in 2005 changed its name to The Quays of the Old Port of Montreal. Today, it serves as a recreational and historical area, attracting annually over six million visitors.

A place for all seasons, there's always something happening here! Summer is great for all sorts of riverfront activities such as rollerblading, cycling, quadricycling, and pleasure boating. Taking a boat cruise on the Saint Lawrence river, or renting a pedal boat for a trip around Bonsecours Basin is also available. A thin park, running the entire length of the Old Port Promenade, offers tourists and locals an ideal spot to relax and catch a cool breeze off the water.

Winter is ideal for skating on the outdoor rink or just playing in the snow. At all times of the year, the Saint Lawrence river is awe-inspiring and powerful.

The on-site attractions include a "labyrinth" in Shed 16 (which is a maze of alleys and obstacles built inside an old waterfront warehouse), the Montreal Science Centre (complete with an IMAX Theatre) on King Edward Pier, and the Montreal Clock Tower.

One of the Port's gems is the Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil which approximately every two years, in spring, launches a new show from the Jacques Cartier Quay by setting up its signature blue-and-yellow-striped tents. In June 2012, an urban beach, called the Clock Tower Beach (Plage de l'Horloge), was opened adjacent to the Clock Tower.

Cultural events in the area include the Montreal High Lights Festival (Festival Montréal en lumière), Igloofest, and the Matsuri Japon festival.

If you have a couple of hours to kill in Montreal, wandering around the Old Port is worth considering.