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
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: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- 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 out of 5![]()
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal) is an absolutely spectacular, world-class destination that stands as a true crown jewel of Canadian culture and one of North America's most celebrated art institutions. The entire property is exceptionally nice, masterfully organized, and kept remarkably clean, uniquely spread across five majestic, interconnected pavilions that span both sides of Sherbrooke Street, leaving you completely in awe of its grand architectural scale. Walking through the light-filled galleries offers a jaw-droppingly beautiful journey through human creativity, housing an encyclopedic collection of over 45,000 works that span from antiquity to the cutting edge of contemporary design.
The historic pavilions dedicated to Quebec and Canadian Art are an absolute triumph and incredibly breathtaking to experience up close. The museum masterfully showcases the rich visual heritage of the region, featuring world-famous masterpieces from the Group of Seven, profound Inuit and First Nations artistic traditions, and iconic modern Quebec painters. Standing face-to-face with these vibrant, historic canvases under beautiful gallery lighting is a profoundly immersive, awe-inspiring experience that captures the raw spirit of the Canadian landscape with a wonderful, vivid energy.
Equally spectacular are the museum's diverse international galleries and its wonderfully cool, innovative pavilions dedicated to Decorative Arts and Design. Walking through the glass-walled walkways connecting the buildings reveals a stunning array of European masters, a world-class collection of ancient artifacts, and dynamic temporary exhibitions that challenge and inspire. The entire complex flows flawlessly from the historic facades to the sleek, modern spaces, turning a simple afternoon into a beautiful, unforgettable celebration of global artistic achievement.
Andih - 3 weeks ago
I really enjoyed my visit. The art is stunning, and it’s made even more impressive by the surrounding architecture. I especially appreciated the quiet time I spent in the rest area at the Pavilion for Peace. I was fascinated by how the museum connects multiple buildings together. A very modern structure is linked to what appears to be an older church (not open to the public), and you can still see how they are integrated both inside and out. Even the bathroom area on the side features windows from the original church, which was a unique detail.
To top it off, the cafeteria offers delicious, healthy food along with a great selection of refreshing drinks.
Violeta Bertramsen - 3 weeks ago
Large museum with an excellent variety of art by many masters, including Picasso, Miro, Dalí and more. Displayed in various levels and two separate buildings connected via underground passageway. Plan on spending at least 3 hours wondering around the various permanent and temporary exhibits. We visited on a weekday and bought out tickets upon entering without any wait time. Really good museum for the art enthusiast!
The Curated Stamp - a month ago
The museum is quite large, and you can easily spend around 3 hours exploring everything it has to offer. The exhibitions are very interesting and truly inspiring, especially if you enjoy art and creativity.
I also had the opportunity to see the Torlonia Collection, which was an incredible experience. The artworks and sculptures were impressive and made the visit even more memorable. Overall, it’s a must-visit museum in Montreal for anyone looking for culture and inspiration.
Keshia Lymaris - 2 months ago
Outstanding experience and an absolute must-visit in Montreal. The museum itself is stunning, and its collection is truly unique, offering a thoughtful balance of classic masterpieces and contemporary works. I especially appreciated the museum’s commitment to fostering creativity and community through its collaborative workshops and public programs. It’s an inspiring space that not only showcases art but also actively encourages engagement with it. Highly recommended.
Renée - a month ago
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Directions
| Metro Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 -Green | Guy-Concordia | 6 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.
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Photo Gallery
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Inside the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts cc licensed photo by Paul Lowry -
A view toward Mont Royal form inside the Musee des Beaux Arts cc licensed photo by John Walker -
Colorful glass art exhibition cc licensed photo by bobistraveling -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: art_inthecity - cc license via Flickr

