Located at 335 Place d'Youville in the historic Old Montreal neighborhood within the borough of Ville-Marie, the Centre d'histoire de Montréal offers a fascinating look into the rich past of Quebec's largest city. Housed inside a unique former central fire station built between 1903 and 1904, the building itself is a sight to see. Designed by architects Joseph Perrault and Simon Lesage, its distinctive Flemish-inspired facade features red brick, buff sandstone, a mansard roof with a skylight, and a striking square tower.
Inside, you can explore the ground floor's permanent exhibition, "Montreal en cinq temps," which highlights historic local events, places, and residents through old map reproductions, photographs, film clips, songs, stories, and a varied collection of unique objects. The museum holds over 4,000 artifacts dating primarily from the twentieth century, including items from Expo 67 and Montreal's 350th anniversary. As you head to the top two floors, you will discover temporary exhibitions featuring regularly changing content.
Whether you are drawn to municipal history, early 1900s firehouse architecture, or historic soundscapes, this museum provides an engaging experience during your Montreal getaway.
What to see at Centre d'histoire de Montréal
- Housed in a 1903-1904 former fire station with unique Flemish-inspired architecture
- Ground floor permanent exhibition "Montreal en cinq temps" featuring maps, photos, and objects
- Interactive audio-visual media including film clips, songs, and spoken stories
- Top two floors dedicated to rotating temporary exhibitions
- Collection of over 4,000 20th-century artifacts, including pieces from Expo 67
Visiting tips
Be sure to inspect the building's exterior on Place d'Youville to appreciate its unique red brick, buff sandstone, and square tower before heading inside.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Centre d'histoire de Montréal is easy to reach on Montreal’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Chapel of Our Lady of Help, Montreal. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Montreal travel guide.
See the full Montreal travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.