Art is free!

You do not always have to pay in order to visit the greatest museums of Montreal. Many museum are opened to visitors at no cost.  Among them, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts offers you to visit its vast art collection from antiquity to today. Mcgill University’s Redpath Museum invites you also to see its artefacts going from the Egyptian mummy to dinosaurs fossils. 

Some of the most popular museums in Montreal offer you to visit their exhibitions for free at certain periods of the week. So you will not have to pay out a penny to visit Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal on Wednesday nights from 6:00 pm. And on the following Thursday night, the visit the Canadian Centre for Architecture which will be free from 5:30 pm.

Montreal: Festivals City

Montreal is without a doubt the world’s capital of festivals. You will find all year long a plethora of festivals giving you the opportunity to enjoy many free activities. Attend the numerous outdoor free shows offered at Festival international de Jazz de Montréal and the Francofolies. In winter, take part in the many free activities offered by Fête des Neiges de Montréal and the Montreal High Lights Festival.

Photo: Jean Francois Le Blanc/Canadian Press

A Haven of Peace
Hidden on a true paradise of peacefulness that is Île Notre-Dame, the Floralies Gardens include more than 100 000 annuals and 5000 bushes. Come picnic in the shade of a magnificent weeping willow watching birds on the canal. It will only cost you a metro ticket to enjoy this relaxing haven in the heart of the city.

Photo : Benoît Remillard 

Going down under
One of the best kept secrets of Montreal is its underground city, which is the largest in the world. Explore the inside of the tunnels and galleries which are scattered in more than 33 kilometres of underground passageways. Live the unique atmosphere contained within these underground walls and make the most out of the numerous boutiques, restaurants and shopping malls. Considering the harsh winter in Quebec, it is not surprising to see that this underground city has become one of the favourite spot for Montrealers.

A Walk in the Park
Mount-Royal Park is a green haven offering many free activities right in the centre of Montreal. An early arrival at the park will allow you to observe wood peckers, blue jays and many other bird species that uses this area as a refuge from the city. Then, a visit in the Mount Royal cemeteries, far from being macabre, will make you discover an arboretum containing rare tree species, Japanese lilacs and the resting place of many great figures of Montreal’s history. From the top of Mount Royal, Saint-Joseph’s Oratory is each week the home of free choirs, peal bells and organ concerts. The concerts are taken place in a magnificent basilica which can welcome up to 10 000 people. 

Photo: grandquebec.com

Festival International de Jazz (February 19 to March 1, 2009)
Probably the most renowned festival in Montreal, Festival International de Jazz brings jazz fans from all over the world. You will definitely be bubbling with excitement when you will join the incredible jazz atmosphere brought by artists from all over the world in the centre of the city.

Les Francofolies (July 30 to August 9, 2009)
Staying in musical events, the Francofolies de Montréal gives you the opportunity to witness some of the best Francophone artists in the world. Attending the numerous shows of the festivals will give you the chance to share this unique link that the French-speaking world has with the city of Montreal. 

Festival International Nuits d’Afrique (July)
The Festival International Nuits d’Afrique celebrates Montreal’s important international and multicultural side. The joyful rhythms of African and Caribbean music bring dancing in the air throughout downtown Montreal.    

Just For Laughs Festival (July)
Montreal is showing its great sense of humour during the Just For Laughs Festival which highlights the performances of some 1700 artists from all over the world. With the hottest names in comedy, you will not be able to keep you from laughing.

World Film Festival (August 21 to September 1, 2008)
Film making is obviously highlighted during Montreal’s World Film Festival. You will be able to discover the numerous creations of films of all genres. I will definitely make you enjoy the true cultural diversity in the film-making industry of the world.

Photo: Sylvain Légaré

Montreal High Lights Festival (February 19 to March 1, 2009)
It is certainly not winter that will keep Montreal from organising an event. The Montreal High Lights Festival is a great example of that. It offers the best of the cooking, lighting, street art and exhibition that Montreal can offer. This festival which brings many innovations from the greatest artists, cooks and lighting experts from around the world will definitely make it up for the cold.

Did you take part in the many festivals and events of Montreal this year? Tell us about your experience in the comment section at the bottom of the article.