Attraction
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
Gothic Revival basilica on Place d'Armes in Old Montreal, known for its deep blue, star-studded vaults, its 1891 Casavant organ and the AURA evening light show.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Fine arts museum founded in 1860, spread over five pavilions on Sherbrooke Street, with world cultures, Inuit, Quebec, Canadian and contemporary art.
At a glance
- Type
- Art museum
- Area
- Golden Square Mile, Montreal, Canada
- Official site
- mbam.qc.ca
Good to know
- Five pavilions
- Temporary exhibitions
- Art library
Why we recommend it
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts began on 23 April 1860 as the Art Association of Montreal, founded by the Anglican bishop Francis Fulford, and took its current name in 1949. It now occupies five linked pavilions along Sherbrooke Street West in the Golden Square Mile, holds around 44,000 works and has about 13,000 square metres of exhibition space. It drew 1.3 million visitors in 2017.
Each pavilion has its own character. The Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion of 1912, by the brothers Edward and William Sutherland Maxwell, is the oldest of the five. The Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion of 1991 was designed by Moshe Safdie and holds modern and contemporary art. The Liliane and David M. Stewart Pavilion, by Fred Lebensold, shows nearly 900 objects of decorative arts and design. The Claire and Marc Bourgie Pavilion, opened in 2011, is devoted to Quebec and Canadian art, and the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for Peace, opened in 2016, covers international art from the early periods to modern times.
Highlights include the Arts of One World galleries, ten rooms with more than 1,200 objects from every continent spanning more than five thousand years, and dedicated galleries of Inuit art. The museum's library is the oldest art library in Canada.
Temporary exhibitions are a big part of the programme. At the time of writing the museum was showing Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles, for which reservations are required unless you are a member, alongside smaller shows by Lydia Yakonowsky and Allison Katz. Opening hours vary through the season, so check the museum's hours and admission page before you go.
The museum suits art lovers who want a full day and visitors with a couple of hours to spare, since the pavilions are easy to visit one or two at a time. Start with the Bourgie Pavilion if you want an introduction to Quebec painting, then move on to the Desmarais building for modern work. Families will find the world cultures galleries the easiest way in.
The McCord Stewart Museum is a short walk east along Sherbrooke Street, which makes the two easy to combine in one day. Mount Royal rises just behind the museum, so you can follow a visit with a walk up to the lookout.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts FAQs
Where is the museum?
At 1380 Sherbrooke Street West in the Golden Square Mile.
How big is the collection?
About 44,000 works spread across five pavilions.
When was it founded?
In 1860, as the Art Association of Montreal. It became the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in 1949.
Do you need to book for exhibitions?
Reservations are required for the Chiharu Shiota exhibition unless you are a member.
Where is Quebec and Canadian art shown?
In the Claire and Marc Bourgie Pavilion.
Who designed the Desmarais Pavilion?
Moshe Safdie, in 1991. It holds modern and contemporary art.
What is the phone number?
The museum's number is 514-285-2000.
What is nearby?
The McCord Stewart Museum is a short walk east on Sherbrooke Street, and Mount Royal is just behind the museum.