Montreal museums are bursting with history, art, and culture, making them a must-visit for anyone in the city. From stunning displays at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and fascinating exhibits at the McCord Museum all the way to the quirky Redpath Museum, there's something for everyone.
And there's only one thing better than a visit to a museum… and that's a free visit to a museum.
For residents, the city of Montreal offers free visits to loads of museums, whether a spot always comps entry or it's the first Sunday of the month, Montrealers can take advantage of free visits all year round.
To access the free museums, especially those that offer free entry on the first Sunday of every month, guests must have a valid Quebec ID as proof of residency.
Here are over a dozen Montreal museums that you can visit for free in 2024.
Centre de design de l'UQAM
Free: Always
Where: 1440, rue Sanguinet, Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
- Wednesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
What To Expect: The Centre de design de l'UQAM is an exhibition center dedicated to architecture, industrial design, graphic design, and fashion design. Affiliated with the Université du Québec à Montréal, it showcases the works of Quebec, Canadian, and international designers, alongside hosting conferences.
Écomusée du fier monde
Free: The first Sunday of every month
Where: 2050, rue Atateken, Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
- Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What To Expect: Guests will be able to explore lesser-known aspects of Montreal at the Écomusée du fier monde, a museum of history and citizenship. Learn about the lives of workers and follow the inspiring journey of citizen groups. Visit exhibitions and the historic Généreux public bath from the 1920s. The Écomusée offers a neighbourhood, exhibitions, cultural activities, and event space, reflecting the pride of the community.
Musée Marguerite-Bourgeoys
Free: The first Sunday of every month
Where: 400, rue Saint-Paul E., Montreal, QC
When:
- May 15 to October 15 open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day
What To Expect: Visitors to the Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum can expect to explore the preserved memory, work, and legacy of Marguerite Bourgeoys, a key figure in Montreal's history. You will learn about her roles as an educator, entrepreneur, founder, and advocate, discovering the enduring relevance of her values in today's context.
The Bank of Montreal Museum
Free: Always
Where: 129, rue Saint-Jacques, Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: closed
What To Expect: Situated in the Old Port, the Bank of Montreal Museum offers a glimpse into early Canadian banking history and the bank's integral role in financial progress for over 200 years. Visitors can explore independently, encountering historical artifacts, documents, photographs, currency collections, and even charming mechanical piggy banks.
Maison Saint-Gabriel
Free: The first Sunday of every month
Where: 2146, pl. Dublin, Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
- Wednesday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What To Expect: Maison Saint-Gabriel, a museum and historic site, stands as Montreal's oldest example of rural architecture. It serves as a testament to the memory of Marguerite Bourgeoys, the first teacher of Ville-Marie, and preserves the history of the King's Wards who passed through its doors.
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Free: The first Sunday of every month
Where: 5151, ch. de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine
When:
- Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday: closed
- Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What To Expect: Visitors to the Montreal Holocaust Museum can expect to learn about the Holocaust and recognize and understand the universal dangers of antisemitism, racism, hate, and indifference. Through its exhibits, commemorative programs, and educational initiatives, the museum promotes respect for diversity and the value of human life.
Canadian Centre for Architecture
Free: The first Sunday of every month and every Thursday after 5 p.m.
Where: 1920, rue Baile, Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
- Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What To Expect: Exhibitions at the CCA delve into the interconnectedness of architecture, the city, landscape, environment, and humanity, exploring their roles and potentials in addressing contemporary challenges and envisioning innovative solutions. Collaborating with architects and designers, the museum utilizes architecture as a medium for curatorial exploration, crafting spaces that resonate with our thematic approaches.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Free: The first Sunday of every month (except for the exhibition Georgia O’Keeffe and Henry Moore: Giants of Modern Art)
Where: 1380, rue Sherbrooke O., Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday: closed
- Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Thursday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What To Expect: Established in 1860, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) has flourished through the generosity of Montrealers, aiming to enrich its community with transformative art experiences. With a collection spanning 47,000 diverse works from antiquity to the present, including Quebec, Canadian, Indigenous, and international art, the MMFA offers exhibitions and programming that encourage innovative perspectives on art and its history.
McCord Stewart Museum
Free: The first Sunday of every month and every Wednesday after 5 p.m.
Where: 690, rue Sherbrooke O., Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday: closed
- Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What To Expect: The McCord Stewart Museum, located in Downtown Montreal, is renowned for its extensive collection of artifacts, documents, and photographs illustrating Canadian history, culture, and society. Founded in 1921, the museum's exhibits offer visitors a comprehensive exploration of Montreal and Canadian heritage, including notable displays of Indigenous cultures, immigration, and urban life.
Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec
Free: The first Sunday of every month
Where: 615, ave. Sainte-Croix, Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday: closed
- Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What To Expect: St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, inaugurated in 1868 on Dorchester Boulevard (now René-Lévesque), is hailed as Montreal's most exquisite neo-Gothic church, a testament to architect Frederick Lawford's talent. Saved from demolition in 1929 by the Holy Cross Fathers, it was relocated to Saint-Laurent College grounds and transformed into a Catholic chapel, later evolving into the Saint-Laurent Art Museum in 1979 and eventually rebranded as the MUMAQ-Museum of Quebec Artisan Crafts in 2021.
Château Dufresne
Free: The first Sunday of every month
Where: 2929, ave. Jeanne-d'Arc, Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
- Wednesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What To Expect: The Château Dufresne, designated as both a Museum and Historical Heritage Site, is overseen by the Société du Château Dufresne, a non-profit organization established on November 6, 1998. Founded with the mission to promote and oversee the historical landmark as a museum, the Société aims to elevate it into one of Montreal’s premier recreational tourism destinations.
La Guilde
Free: Always (donations are appreciated)
Where: 1356, rue Sherbrooke O., Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday and Sunday: closed
- Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What To Expect: Known as a prominent cultural destination and art gallery, La Guilde has served as a crucial resource for Inuit art, First Nations art, Métis art, and Fine Crafts in Canada. As a non-profit organization since 1906, La Guilde is dedicated to supporting and fostering the artistic practices of Inuit, First Nations, Métis, and Fine Crafts artists, while providing a space for sharing, exploration, and education through exhibitions, cultural activities, and programs.
MAC Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal
Free: The first Sunday of every month
Where: Niveau Galerie Commerciale, pl. Ville-Marie, local 11220, Montreal, QC
When:
- Monday: closed
- Tuesday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
What To Expect: Established in 1964, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal has amassed over 8,000 artworks by Québec, Canadian, and international artists, representing a rich and diverse cultural heritage. Notable contributions include donations from artists, collectors, and institutions, such as the 55 works by Paul-Émile Borduas gifted by the National Museums of Canada in 1973, solidifying the museum's role as a key repository of Borduas's legacy.
McGill Redpath Museum
Free: Always (donations are appreciated)
Where: 859, rue Sherbrooke O., Montreal, QC
When:
- Sunday and Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What To Expect: The Redpath Museum, a part of McGill University's Faculty of Science, aims to promote the appreciation of our biological, geological, and cultural heritage through research, collections study, and education. Established in 1882 by Sir William Dawson, it operates independently with its own faculty, offering undergraduate and graduate courses along with a minor in natural history.
This article's left-hand cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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Museum of Illusions staff member Andrea Pinjušić poses in a kaleidoscope tunnel.Willa Holt | MTL Blog
Andrea Pinjušić demonstrates an illusion using mirrors to flip an arrow's direction.Willa Holt | MTL Blog
Narcity Quebec's Maïlys Kerhoas stands in the vortex.Willa Holt | MTL Blog
Pinjušić poses in the colour room, refracting coloured lights into their base shades.Willa Holt | MTL Blog
An oversized needle goes through two buttons in a confusing 3d configuration.Willa Holt | MTL Blog
Two people pose in the upside-down room.Willa Holt | MTL Blog
The author stands in a tilted room in which it's impossible to look like you're standing up straight.Willa Holt | MTL Blog
