Pointe-a-Calliere
Museum of Archaeology and History
The Pointe-a-Calliere Museum of archaeology and history gives you a first hand look at the history of Montreal including an archaeological dig in the museum's basement
The Pointe-a-Calliere archaeological museum was founded in 1992, making it one of the newer museums in the city, to celebrate the great city's 350th birthday. It is set on top of the city's original birthplace. The museum's properties and exhibit space are actually spread over a number of historic buildings and sites with varying architectural styles and historical significance.
The museum is home to collections of artefacts from the First Nations of Montreal which demonstrate how these various cultures interacted as well as artefacts which demonstrate the influence these people had on the area and its inhabitants. The museum has seen more than 350 000 visitors a year since its opening in 1992.
Pointe-a-Calliere Museum has a number of fascinating exhibits for you to see. Take a look at where Montreal was born with an archaeological dig in an underground room. Take a trip back in time with their multimedia show. Try your own hand at archaeology with an interactive simulation dig. You can even see Montreal's first electrical powered waste water pumping station equipment. The Youville Pumping Station exhibit features some truly fascinating artefacts that date from 1915.
Each year, the museum hosts a number of cultural activities. December 2013 features Santa Clauses from around the world. February to March 2014 features an outdoor show of trains, tugboats and boats sounding their horns in symphony. There are different temporary exhibits on show during the year as well. But you will need to go to the official website to see what is going to be on show when you are in Montreal.
Another bonus while visiting the museum is the great views of the Port of Montreal from the Éperon building tower.
Any person that is interested in history and culture, not only of Montreal, but the rest of the world too, will love a visit to the Pointe-a-Calliere Museum.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes; Family discounts are available. If you have a transit day pass or Opus Card your family can receive an additional $4 discount.Pointe-a-Calliere Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 350 Pl. Royale, Montréal, QC H2Y 3Y5, Canada
Phone: (514) 872-9150
Official Website: Pointe-a-Calliere Museum
Pointe-a-Calliere Museum Reviews
Rated out of 5
The museum was great!
The exhibits and visuals were interesting. It was amazing to see the excavated site under the glass floor & walking through the tunnel was magical.
It was amazing to see the city's history, and see that they've honored and included some of the history of Indigenous peoples who inhabited the land before settlers arrived. Keeping in mind, this museum is about the history of the formation of the city.
Staff were helpful and informative, especially the security guard who was stationed by the gift shop endurance.
We spent about 2 hours at the museum because we were in a bit of a rush, but we still comfortably took in the exhibits. 3 hours would have been ideal.
Natasha Boshaw - 3 weeks ago
I have visited the old port so many times and never knew this existed so close by! And that it would be so interesting and so fun for kids as well. They have a whole section converted into a pirate ship which my kids enjoyed so much. The museum itself is pretty good, how the building is constructed around the ruins. I highly recommend a visit! One could easily spend 2-4 hours here.
Aakriti Gupta - in the last week
This was a great museum! We really enjoyed the different exhibits, especially the areas that showed the different uses of the spaces through time. The memory collector tunnel was a great experience, as was the marketplace exhibit in the building Montreal section. We didn't manage to get to all of the temporary exhibits, so would recommend a couple visits to do it all and really get the most of everything there is to offer. Wouldn't recommend it for smaller children, but there were a few areas that were appropriate for kids. Would come back on another visit!
Michelle Norris - 3 months ago
Great museum, that tells the history of Montreal in a very interactive way. Very unique to have a museum so closely tied to a historical sight.
Toni Kautto - in the last week
Entrance was $20 USD, too much in my opinion given two exhibits were closed -- the Egypt exhibit and the sewer exhibit. The museum gave a detailed history of Montreal, and of the early settlers and indigenous people. I would have liked to see more history of Canada in general. The ruins of the old cemetery and first settlement was the most interesting part. Left a bit disappointed.
Leena Halabi - 3 months ago
Directions
| Metro Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 2 - Orange | Place-d'Armes | 10 Minutes |
How to get to Pointe-a-Calliere Museum by Metro
By Metro: Take Metro Line 2 to Place-d'Armes; exit and go right (south) on St. Urbain Street. Continue on St. Sulpice Street all the way to de la Commune Street and turn right. The museum is one block ahead where the road forks.
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Photo Gallery
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View from the observation deck of the Museum of Archaeology and History in Montreal cc licensed photo by JasonParis -
Photo Credit: Christina Z. -
Photo Credit: Thomas Kelly -
Photo Credit: Pavel (ZURRY) -
Photo Credit: Thomas Jenne -
Photo Credit: Alejandra Aboud Keenan
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