Old Montreal

Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) is the city's historic core, cobblestone streets, 17th- and 18th-century stone buildings, and a riverside old port that together feel closer to Europe than North America. Its showpiece is the Notre-Dame Basilica, whose deep-blue, star-spangled vaulted interior is one of the most spectacular church interiors on the continent. Around it spread the lively Place Jacques-Cartier, art galleries, bistros, and the redeveloped Old Port waterfront with its promenades and seasonal activities.

It's a neighbourhood for wandering: horse-drawn calèches, buskers, and warm-lit terraces in summer; in winter, snow on the cobbles and cosy interiors. Come for the basilica, stay for the atmosphere, and time a meal in one of the historic stone-walled restaurants.

Don't miss

• Notre-Dame Basilica's star-vaulted blue interior
• Cobblestone streets and Place Jacques-Cartier
• The redeveloped Old Port waterfront
• Stone-walled historic restaurants and terraces
• Calèches, buskers, and seasonal festivals

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Old Montreal

Cheapest way inOld Montreal Walking Tour: History, Culture & Landmarks4.3★ · 24 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$5 per personSee dates →Best full dayQuebec City and Montmorency Falls Day Trip from Montreal4.2★ · 2,482 travelers~13 hoursFree cancellationFrom$72 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleOld Montreal Private Walking Tour4.9★ · 334 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$164 per personSee dates →

Good for

How travelers rate it

Know before you go

• Notre-Dame Basilica charges entry and can have queues, its interior is the area's must-see.
• Wear comfortable shoes; the cobblestones are charming but uneven.
• Summer is liveliest along the Old Port; winter is quieter but atmospheric.
• Book historic restaurants ahead on summer evenings and weekends.

A bit of history

Founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, this is where Montreal began. The walled colonial town grew into the city's commercial centre; after a period of decline, careful preservation from the 1960s protected its historic fabric, and it's now a beloved heritage district and tourist heart.