by Caroline Décoste
A city of design and culture, Montreal has more than 40 museums for you to explore. Science, nature, art, technology, fashion, history, cinema and much more can be found in this selection of 12 of the best museums in town. [Image credit: iStock/monkeybusinessimages]
A museum complex consisting of the Montreal Biodôme, Insectarium, Botanical Garden and Planetarium, Space for Life is dedicated to education on biodiversity. Nature and science are in the spotlight and both children and parents can discover a world of wonders under their collective roofs.
Founded by the famous architect and philanthropist Phyllis Lambert, the mission of the CCA is to spread awareness about architecture to the public. Also a research centre, the CCA brings together exhibits, an extensive library and rich architectural archives.
Because science is fun! Located in the Old Port of Montreal, this museum presents science and technology in an interactive and educational way to popularize the concepts to both children and adults. It is also home to the IMAX® TELUS Theatre, spanning 7 floors.
One of UNESCO’s 1,001 historical sites to see in your lifetime, Château Ramezay was the first building listed as a historical monument in Quebec. Dating from the 18th century, the chateau takes you through more than 500 years of Montreal’s history.
Particularly dedicated to Quebec and Canadian cinema and animation, the Cinémathèque offers exhibitions and screenings from its rich collection of more than 40,000 films, 600,000 photos and 45,000 books accumulated over 50 years of existence.
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The DHC/ART Foundation presents free exhibitions of artists from all disciplines as part of its mission to make art accessible to everyone. The exhibits are presented in two magnificent heritage buildings in Old Montreal.
The largest contemporary art museum in Canada, the MCA houses more than 7,800 works of Quebec, Canadian and international artists. At the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, the museum also has a sculpture garden during the summer season.
The only museum dedicated to the history of textiles and fashion in the province, the former Museum of Costume and Textile of Quebec turned Fashion Museum is certainly worth a visit and is often without large tour groups.
With a million visitors annually, the MMFA is the busiest art museum in Canada. This is no surprise because of its rich collection of over 41,000 works spanning from antiquity to the present day. It’s a must-visit!
Dedicated to Montreal’s social history in a fun, interactive and educational way, the McCord Museum brings together more than 1,440,000 artifacts to create a profile of the communities that make up the metropolis.
Montrealers are familiar with the dinosaur skeletons at Redpath Museum. But this museum, affiliated with McGill University, is also home to a large collection dedicated to natural history and ethnology, including minerals, naturalized animals and cultural artifacts.
A Montreal archeological and historical site located at the birthplace of the metropolis, Pointe-à-Callières is classified as a national historic site. In addition to covering Montreal’s history, the museum presents exhibits with an international reach.
Hot tip: Montreal’s 41 museums have joined together to offer a mobile application as well as packages in the form of Montreal Museums Maps. In addition, each May, the museums are free on Montreal Museums Day.
