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.
Olympic Park
Site of the 1976 Summer Olympics, home to Roger Taillibert's stadium and the world's tallest inclined tower, now an events, sports and leisure park.
At a glance
- Type
- Olympic site and landmark
- Area
- Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montreal, Canada
- Official site
- parcolympique.qc.ca
Good to know
- Olympic Stadium
- Esplanade
- Skatepark
- Sports Centre
- Espace 50e exhibition
Why we recommend it
The Olympic Park was built for the 1976 Summer Olympics and remains one of Montreal's defining landmarks. The French architect Roger Taillibert designed the Olympic Stadium, which opened on 17 July 1976 as the main venue of the Games even though it and its tower were still unfinished. Its doughnut-shaped roof structure earned it the nickname the Big O, and its cost earned it the Big Owe; the debt was paid off only in November 2006.
The leaning Montreal Tower is the most striking element. It rises 165 metres at an angle of 45 degrees and is recognised by Guinness World Records as the tallest inclined tower in the world. The tower is closed for renovation of its visitor areas and is set to reopen in spring 2027, depending on the building schedule, with a new glass funicular, glass floors, a 360-degree panorama and an outdoor terrace planned.
The stadium has a long history of roof troubles. The original retractable Kevlar roof, finished in 1987, was opened and closed only 88 times and removed in 1998, and replacement work on a new roof has been under way. Materials reclaimed from the old roof have been turned into public art on the site, including ÉLANS by Philippe Allard and OASIS by Pavitra Wickramasinghe. The stadium still hosts concerts, trade shows and large events, with permanent seating for 56,040. Interior renovations were approved in July 2026 and are scheduled for completion in 2028.
Outside the stadium, the park has a Vans skatepark, the Morgan Trail and climbing rocks, and the Espace 50e area tells the story of the Games through photographs. The Sports Centre offers public swimming and fitness classes for anyone staying longer in the city.
Even with the tower closed, the site is well worth seeing for its architecture, especially if you are visiting the Biodôme, which occupies the former Olympic velodrome next door, or the Botanical Garden across Sherbrooke Street. Allow an hour to walk around the esplanade, the skatepark and the outdoor art installations, and check the events calendar, as shows and fairs are held in the stadium. In November 2026 those include the National Pet Show on 7 and 8 November.
Olympic Park FAQs
Is the Montreal Tower open?
No. It is closed for renovation and is set to reopen to visitors in spring 2027, depending on the building schedule.
How tall is the tower?
It is 165 metres tall and inclined at 45 degrees, the tallest inclined tower in the world.
Who designed the stadium?
The French architect Roger Taillibert.
When did the stadium open?
On 17 July 1976, for the Summer Olympics.
Why is it called the Big O?
After its name and its doughnut-shaped roof structure.
What else is there to do?
A skatepark, the Morgan Trail, climbing rocks, the Espace 50e exhibition and a public sports centre.
What is next door?
The Biodôme, in the former Olympic velodrome, and the Botanical Garden across Sherbrooke Street.
Are there events?
Yes. The stadium hosts concerts, shows and fairs, including the National Pet Show on 7 and 8 November 2026.