Thing to do
Old Port of Montreal
More than two kilometres of quays along the St Lawrence below Old Montreal, with the Clock Tower, the Science Centre, an urban beach and winter skating.
Jean-Talon Market
Montreal's largest public market, in Little Italy since 1933, with farmers' stalls, cheese, maple products, bakeries and restaurants, open year-round.
At a glance
- Type
- Public food market
- Area
- Little Italy, Montreal, Canada
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- marchespublics-mtl.com
Good to know
- Year-round market
- Underground parking
- Bike parking
- Restaurants
Why we recommend it
Jean-Talon Market opened in 1933, when Camillien Houde was mayor, on land in Little Italy that had been a lacrosse ground. It is the city's largest market and one of the bigger open-air markets in North America. The market's central building, known as the chalet, served as a bus terminal for routes to Laval until 1961 and later housed a municipal library and a social services centre before becoming offices.
The market changes with the seasons. From spring to autumn the open-air arcades fill with farmers and growers from around Montreal, and at peak season about 300 vendors take part. When the walls go up in October, the central section moves indoors for the winter, and the outdoor aisles reopen around the end of April. From June to October, cars are banned from the aisles from 11am to 5pm, Thursday to Sunday, which makes those days the most relaxed for browsing.
There is plenty to buy and eat. Stalls and shops sell local fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and eggs, fish, cheese, bread and pastries, bulk goods, flowers and plants, and maple and honey products, and a ring of restaurants serves ready meals. A 2004 renovation added underground parking and a building with specialty boutiques, and the streets around the market have more cheese and meat shops, bakeries, spice dealers and a branch of the SAQ, Quebec's liquor retailer.
The market is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 8am to 5pm on Sunday. Come in the morning for the best choice, and bring a bag if you plan to shop. Autumn is a good time to visit for the harvest, while summer has the busiest outdoor stalls.
It suits food lovers, self-caterers and anyone who wants to see how Montrealers shop. A visit can be as short as half an hour or stretch into a long lunch. Jean-Talon and De Castelnau metro stations are a few minutes' walk away, and bus routes 51, 55, 92 and 93 stop nearby. There are around 410 parking spaces and 150 lockable bike spaces. The cafés and restaurants of Little Italy are just around the corner, and the market's Panorama Room can be rented for events. For practical questions, the society that operates the market can be reached at its office on 514-937-7754.
Jean-Talon Market FAQs
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm, and Sunday from 8am to 5pm.
Is it open in winter?
Yes. Walls go up in October so the central section can trade indoors, and the outdoor aisles reopen around the end of April.
How do you get there?
Jean-Talon and De Castelnau metro stations are a few minutes away on foot.
Is there parking?
Yes. There are about 410 underground and outdoor spaces.
When is it car-free?
From June to October, cars are barred from the aisles from 11am to 5pm, Thursday to Sunday.
What can you buy?
Fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, bakery goods, flowers and maple and honey products, plus ready meals.
When did it open?
In 1933.
Can you bring a bike?
Yes. There are 150 lockable bike spaces.