The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
(Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal)

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a must see for all connoisseurs of fine arts

Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion - Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion - Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Photo Bernard Fougères and Jean-François Lejeune

The world of fine art is rather a strange one. It allows you a glimpse into the minds of some of the world's greatest artists. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal) allows you to take that look into the minds of artists and see their amazing works.

The museum was founded in 1860 by Bishop Fulford in an attempt to encourage the appreciation of fine arts in the people of Montreal. The museum started life as many artists do, as a nomadic display in a variety of venues around Montreal. Is was only in 1877 that a permanent home for the museum was donated by Benaiah Gibb along with his collection of 72 canvases and 4 bronzes. Since then the collection has grown exponentially. There are now over 38 000 different works of art displayed in the museum's collections.

The works of art are displayed in four pavilions and grouped into categories. This makes it much easier for you to see those pieces of art that relate to a period of interest. The Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion is dedicated to archaeology and world cultures, the Liliane and David M. Stewart pavilion displays art works related to decorative arts and design. The Jean-Noel Desmarais pavilion houses the early to modern international art collection as well as the international contemporary art collection. The Claire and Marie Bourgie pavilion contains Quebec and Canadian art for something a little closer to home. You can see images of some of the art contained here on the museum's website. They are truly something to behold!

The museum also displays themed exhibitions on a regular basis. This offers you the chance to see some truly famous works that would otherwise be kept in the storage facilities of the museum. These exhibits feature artists such as Jules de Balincourt and Laurent Craste.

If fine art is something that inspires you or if you simply want to be fascinated and beguiled with what goes on in the minds of our finest artists, then the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is the ideal museum to visit.



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes; Free admission to children under 12.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Address: 1380 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal, QC H3G 1J5, Canada

Phone: (514) 285-2000

Official Website: The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating If you’re under 25, you get in for free! I only discovered this a month before my birthday—better late than never, right? Maybe someone else will appreciate the heads-up 🤭 One thing I love about this museum is how many quiet corners there are where you can soak in the city views. I come here not just for the art, but to let it inspire me — along with the beautiful panoramas. There’s something about this place that feeds both the mind and the soul.
Анна Козакова - 3 months ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating This fine art museum is a must-visit if you’re in Montreal! I loved the wide variety of art on display,from classic European paintings to contemporary installations, thought provoking sculptures, and beautiful Indigenous Canadian works. They also have a fascinating collection of ancient artifacts that really help you imagine the everyday life of people in the ancient world. The admission fee is fair, and they provide free coat check, which is super convenient. While you can’t bring water bottles into the gallery, there are water stations available throughout the museum to keep you hydrated. Another highlight is the gift shop,perfect for browsing after your visit. They offer a lovely selection of postcards, art prints, books, and unique souvenirs that are great for tourists or gifts for friends. We really enjoyed taking a piece of the museum home with us.
Bela Iu - 5 months ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating Huge gallery with multiple buildings and rooms within them . A fantastic range of artistic styles, blending modern and contemporary with older pieces, often making connections stylistically between them. New design wing particularly good at this imo. You need hours to see it all.
David Rigden - 3 weeks ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating This is a beautiful and expansive museum which is definitely worth visiting. We were so into taking our time in the exhibits that we had to make sure we finished by closing! With several floors of art covering multiple periods, there's a lot to see here. They also have a gift shop with plenty of unique merchandise. Buying tickets online is very easy.
Ashley LeBourveau-Truong - 5 months ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating The museum is absolutely stunning. The architecture alone is worth the visit - the buildings are beautiful, blending historic charm with modern design. The collections are diverse and thoughtful curated with something for everyone. It’s a place where you can easily spend hours exploring. Definitely a must see if you’re in Montreal - whether you’re an art lover or just looking for a meaningful and inspiring experience.
Canh Vo - 3 months ago

Show More
Show Less

Directions

Metro Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Line 1 -GreenGuy-Concordia6 Minutes

How to get to The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts by Metro

By Metro: Take Line 1 to Guy-Concordia Station and take the Guy Street exit. Go right from the exit and then right again at the corner walking northeast along Blvd de Maisonneuve to Bishop Street; then go left to Sherbrooke Street W then go right to the museum entrance which is just ahead. Note that while the museum itself occupies 4 Pavilions inside separate buildings, access is only via the Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion at 1380 Sherbrooke Street West.

Map & Instant Route Finder

Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.

Finding Your Route - Please Wait

Accommodations near The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts:



Photo Gallery

Video

✨ To watch this video, please update your cookie settings and make sure ad blockers are turned off.
We use cookies to display embedded YouTube content. See our Privacy & Cookies Policy.

Montreal Hotel Deals


Book Now, Pay Later
Price Matching
2,563,000+ Properties Worldwide
24/7 Support
booking.com logo

Visiting Montreal? Here's why we use Booking.com for our hotel bookings.

Best SelectionDaily Deals Price Matching Pay at the Hotel 24/7 Support


Visiting Montreal?
Here's why we use Booking.com for our hotel bookings.
Best Selection
Daily Deals
Price Matching
Pay at the Hotel
24/7 Support
Share on Pinterest
Share on Pinterest
Help us grow! Please Share
Thanks for Visiting!