The City of Saints

Montreal architecture

Montreal is the second-largest primarily French-speaking city in the world after Paris and is located on an island at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. It is a cultural capital famous for its world-class jazz festival, historic Old Port, and the underground city that spans over 20 miles.

15Landmarks
1829Oldest · Notre-Dame Basilica
233 mTallest · Mount Royal Park
17Architects

Mount Royal Park
Notre-Dame Basilica
Schwartz’s Deli

Before you go

Fly intoTrudeau Int'l (YUL)
Trudeau International is world-renowned for its 'Snow Plan,' utilizing a massive fleet of high-tech machinery that allows the airport to remain fully operational during even the most intense Canadian blizzards. It serves as a major gateway for flights to French-speaking nations across Africa and Europe.
CurrencyCanadian Dollar ($)
LanguageFrench & English
Montreal is a truly bilingual city where social interactions often begin with a friendly 'Bonjour-Hi' to let the speaker choose their preferred tongue. The local 'Québécois' French is distinct from European French, often blending with English to create a unique local 'Franglais.'
Getting aroundMontreal Metro
The Montreal Metro runs entirely on rubber tires, which makes the ride remarkably quiet compared to steel-wheel systems. The city is also served by the REM, a new automated light rail system connecting the suburbs. Exo commuter trains provide essential long-distance transit for the Greater Montreal area.

15 landmarks in Montreal

Photo: Chicoutimi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Mount Royal Park

1260 Remembrance Rd, Montreal, QC H3H 1A2, Canada

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, this sprawling urban green space is the 'mountain' that gives Montreal its name. The park features the iconic Mount Royal Cross and the historic Chalet du Mont-Royal, which offers a famous panoramic lookout over the skyline. It serves as a four-season haven for hikers, skaters, and locals, symbolizing the city's commitment to public land. The landscape was intentionally designed to highlight the natural topography rather than imposing a formal geometric structure. It remains the most cherished landmark in the city, providing a vital escape from the surrounding dense urban environment.

Built
1876
Architect
Frederick Law Olmsted
Style
Landscape Architecture / Beaux-Arts (Chalet)
Height
233 m (764 ft)
Stories
1
Today
Public Urban Park
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Notre-Dame Basilica

110 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, QC H2Y 1T1, Canada

This masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture is world-renowned for its breathtaking and highly detailed interior. The vaulted ceiling is painted a deep, celestial blue and is decorated with thousands of individual 24-karat gold stars. Unlike many European cathedrals, the stained glass windows here depict scenes from the religious history of Montreal rather than biblical tales. The church houses a massive Casavant Frères pipe organ and hundreds of intricate wooden carvings throughout the nave. It remains one of the most visited and ornate religious structures in all of North America.

Built
1829
Architect
James O'Donnell
Style
Gothic Revival
Height
60 m (197 ft)
Stories
2
Today
Church / Landmark
Photo: Canmenwalker, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Schwartz’s Deli

3895 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2W 1X9, Canada

Founded in 1928 by Reuben Schwartz, this establishment is the oldest deli in Canada and a global culinary icon. The building is famous for its simple, narrow storefront and the perpetual line of hungry patrons stretching down Saint Laurent Boulevard. Inside, the atmosphere is frozen in time with original tiled walls, shared long tables, and walls covered in celebrity photos. Their world-famous smoked meat is prepared using a traditional 10-day curing process and a secret blend of spices. It stands as the definitive heart of the historic 'Main,' representing Montreal's rich Jewish immigrant history.

Built
1928
Style
Early 20th Century Commercial
Height
12 m (39 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Delicatessen / Historical Landmark
Photo: Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Habitat 67

2600 Av. Pierre-Dupuy, Montreal, QC H3C 3R6, Canada

Originally designed as a pavilion for Expo 67, this experimental housing complex consists of 354 identical prefabricated concrete boxes. Architect Moshe Safdie sought to redefine urban living by combining the density of an apartment building with the privacy of a suburban home. Each residence features its own private roof garden and unique views of the Saint Lawrence River and the city skyline. The complex is considered a primary example of the Brutalist and Metabolism movements in modern architecture. It remains a prestigious residential address and a pilgrimage site for architecture students from around the world.

Built
1967
Architect
Moshe Safdie
Style
Brutalist / Metabolism
Height
36 m (118 ft)
Stories
12
Today
Residential
Olympic Stadium

4141 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, QC H1V 3N7, Canada

Known locally as 'The Big O,' this massive stadium features the world’s tallest inclined tower, leaning at a sharp 45-degree angle. The tower was designed to retract the stadium's multi-ton Kevlar roof using an intricate system of cables and pulleys. Its striking silhouette is a monumental example of Organic Modernism, often compared to a giant spaceship or a skeletal sea creature. Despite several engineering setbacks over the decades, it remains a definitive symbol of Montreal’s international sporting history. The facility now serves as a multi-purpose venue for major exhibitions, concerts, and professional sporting events.

Built
1976
Architect
Roger Taillibert
Style
Organic Modernism
Height
165 m (541 ft)
Stories
18
Today
Multi-purpose Stadium / Tower
Sun Life Building

1155 Metcalfe St, Montreal, QC H3B 2V6, Canada

At the time of its completion, this imposing structure was the largest office building in the entire British Empire. Its regal Beaux-Arts design features massive Corinthian columns, elaborate stonework, and a commanding presence over Dorchester Square. During World War II, its secret basement vaults were used to hide the United Kingdom's gold reserves and the crown jewels. The building's interior is just as grand, with marble hallways and a lobby that reflects the peak of early 20th-century corporate prestige. It continues to serve as a major hub for financial and legal firms in the heart of downtown.

Built
1933
Architect
Darling and Pearson
Style
Beaux-Arts
Height
122 m (400 ft)
Stories
24
Today
Office
Photo: Jeangagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Place Ville Marie

1 Place Ville Marie, Montreal, QC H3B 3Y1, Canada

This iconic cruciform tower was designed by I.M. Pei to modernize the skyline and establish a new business center for Montreal. The building features a famous rotating beacon at its summit that is visible for up to 50 kilometers on clear nights. It is widely credited as the birthplace of the Underground City, or RÉSO, due to its pioneering climate-controlled tunnels. The sleek aluminum and glass facade remains a premier example of the International Style of architecture. Today, the complex offers a sophisticated mix of high-end offices, retail spaces, and a public observation deck with 360-degree views.

Built
1962
Architect
I.M. Pei & Henry N. Cobb
Style
International Style
Height
188 m (617 ft)
Stories
47
Today
Office / Observation Deck
Photo: Canmenwalker, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Montreal City Hall

275 Notre-Dame St E, Montreal, QC H2Y 1C6, Canada

Montreal's City Hall is a magnificent example of the Second Empire style, characterized by its ornate Mansard roof and elegant balcony. This balcony gained international fame in 1967 when French President Charles de Gaulle made his historic 'Vive le Québec libre' proclamation. Although a major fire in 1922 destroyed much of the original interior, the historic stone exterior was meticulously preserved and restored. The building's architecture reflects the civic pride and French heritage that define the administrative heart of the city. Located in Old Montreal, it stands as one of the most photographed and historically significant government buildings in Canada.

Built
1878
Architect
Henri-Maurice Perrault
Style
Second Empire
Height
35 m (115 ft)
Stories
5
Today
Government Seat
The Biosphere

160 Chemin du Tour de l'Isle, Montreal, QC H3C 4G8, Canada

This geodesic dome was originally designed by Buckminster Fuller as the United States pavilion for the Expo 67 world fair. It remains the largest structure of its kind, featuring an intricate steel lattice that once supported a transparent acrylic skin. Following a dramatic fire in 1976, the outer shell was lost, leaving behind the striking skeletal frame seen by visitors today. The site has since been repurposed into an environmental museum dedicated to water, climate change, and sustainability. It serves as a lasting symbol of the futuristic and optimistic spirit of Montreal during the 1960s.

Built
1967
Architect
Buckminster Fuller
Style
Geodesic / Futurist
Height
62 m (203 ft)
Stories
4
Today
Environment Museum
Photo: Paolo Costa Baldi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Saint Joseph's Oratory

3800 Queen Mary Rd, Montreal, QC H3V 1H6, Canada

Majestically perched on the northern slope of Mount Royal, this basilica is the largest church in Canada and a global pilgrimage site. Its massive copper dome is one of the largest in the world, second only to Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. The site was founded by Brother André Bessette, whose reputation for healing attracted millions of visitors to this hillside shrine. While the exterior is a grand example of Italian Renaissance style, the interior features a surprisingly modern and minimalist design. The view from the front steps offers one of the most expansive and beautiful vistas of the northern part of the city.

Built
1967
Architect
Alphonse Venne / Dom Bellot
Style
Italian Renaissance / Modernist
Height
97 m (318 ft)
Stories
4
Today
Basilica / Pilgrimage Site
Photo: Dpalma01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Marche Bonsecours

350 Saint-Paul St E, Montreal, QC H2Y 1H2, Canada

Identified by its gleaming silvery dome, this Neoclassical landmark was Montreal's primary public market for over a century. The building served a brief but significant stint as the Parliament of United Canada in the middle of the 19th century. Its imposing facade features Doric columns and a grand portico that reflects the city's historic commercial importance. After being saved from demolition, it was converted into a center for Quebecois craft, fashion, and cultural exhibitions. It remains one of the most prestigious examples of 19th-century public architecture remaining in the Old Port district.

Built
1847
Architect
William Footner
Style
Neoclassical
Height
30 m (98 ft)
Stories
2
Today
Boutiques / Exhibition Hall
Photo: Montrealais, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1000 de La Gauchetiere

1000 De La Gauchetière St W, Montreal, QC H3B 4W5, Canada

This postmodern skyscraper is the tallest building in Montreal when measured from its primary street entrance. Its design is notable for the copper-capped pyramidal corners that pay homage to the nearby Saint Mary's Cathedral. A standout feature of the building is its massive indoor ice skating rink located within the bright, glass-walled central atrium. The tower is a key node in the city's underground network, providing direct access to the Metro and commuter trains. It serves as a landmark of Montreal’s late 20th-century economic expansion and remains a premier corporate address.

Built
1992
Architect
Lemay & Associates
Style
Postmodern
Height
205 m (673 ft)
Stories
51
Today
Office / Public Atrium
Photo: Lëa-Kim Châteauneuf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA)

1920 Baile St, Montreal, QC H3H 2S6, Canada

The CCA is a world-class museum and research institution founded to advance the understanding of the built environment. It famously integrates the restored 1874 Shaughnessy House mansion into a much larger, contemporary limestone structure. The building's design creates a sophisticated dialogue between the domestic Victorian past and the requirements of a modern archive. Its surrounding sculpture garden serves as an outdoor museum that explores the relationship between architecture and the city. It is widely considered one of the most important architectural archives and exhibition spaces in the world.

Built
1989
Architect
Phyllis Lambert / Peter Rose
Style
Postmodern / Neoclassical Integration
Height
15 m (49 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Museum / Research Center
Photo: Khayman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gibeau Orange Julep

7700 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC H4P 2H4, Canada

This iconic structure consists of a three-story tall fiberglass sphere designed to look like a giant orange. It is a textbook example of mimetic architecture, where the building’s shape directly advertises the product sold within. Since the 1960s, it has been a local landmark famous for its creamy, secret-recipe orange drink and classic fast food. The site is a cultural touchstone for Montrealers, especially during the summer months when classic car enthusiasts gather in its parking lot. It remains one of the most beloved and quirky pieces of roadside Americana-style architecture in Quebec.

Built
1966
Architect
Hermas Gibeau
Style
Mimetic Architecture / Pop Art
Height
12 m (39 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Fast Food / Roadside Landmark
Apple Sainte-Catherine

1321 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3G 1P7, Canada

Set within a historic masonry building on Montreal's busiest commercial corridor, this store represents a blend of old and new. The exterior facade was carefully preserved to maintain the traditional streetscape of the downtown core. Inside, the space features a signature glass staircase and a bright, expansive layout that emphasizes the brand's minimalist aesthetic. High ceilings and large windows allow natural light to flood the two-story retail environment. It serves as a central hub for technology and community workshops in the heart of the city’s shopping district.

Built
2008
Architect
Apple Retail Design / BC2
Style
Heritage Preservation / Modern Minimalism
Height
14 m (46 ft)
Stories
2
Today
Apple Store