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: 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
What a fantastic museum experience! They offered free tickets for the holidays, which was such a generous gesture. The art collections were incredible, with a mix of classic and modern pieces that cater to all tastes.
It was a bit crowded, as expected with the free entry, but everyone was very respectful, and the atmosphere remained calm and enjoyable. The staff were also friendly and helpful, making the visit even better.
If you’re looking for something inspiring and fun to do this holiday season, I highly recommend checking it out!
Chloe Dinh - 3 months ago
I recently visited the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for the first time, and it was an unforgettable experience. I went during spring break when they were offering free admission, which was the perfect opportunity to explore. I took the metro, and it was super easy to get there—Peel station is just a short walk away.
From the moment I arrived, I was struck by how stunning the museum is. The mix of historic and modern architecture creates such a welcoming and open atmosphere. I was introduced to so many different styles of art that I didn’t even have time to see the entire museum! From classic European paintings to vibrant Canadian works and contemporary pieces, it felt like a whirlwind tour through history and creativity. Each gallery had its own unique vibe, and I loved how every section told its own story.
One of the best surprises was how family-friendly the museum is. Since it was spring break, there were plenty of activities for kids. I saw children getting hands-on with art and creating their own pieces. It was heartwarming to see how the museum made art accessible and fun for all ages, making it a great outing for families.
The staff was incredibly friendly and encouraging, and I felt comfortable taking my time and exploring at my own pace. After a few hours, a security guard gently reminded me that the museum was closing soon, and I realized I’d barely scratched the surface of what it has to offer.
The only downside was that I really wanted to see the Joyce Wieland exhibition, but it wasn’t included with the free ticket. I’ll definitely be back to catch that next time!
Overall, my visit to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts was amazing, and I can’t wait to go back. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend it—there’s something for everyone! Whether you’re a fan of classic art, contemporary works, or looking for a fun new experience, this museum has it all.
Roxanne Pelissier (Foxy Appetite) - a month ago
This museum features a lot of works by local Canadian artists, making it a great place to explore Canadian art. It’s also one of Montreal’s iconic buildings.
The architecture and gallery layouts are amazing—the building itself feels like a piece of art in the city. The exhibition spaces are huge and spread out across different sections, each with its own style but all beautifully connected. The design is brilliant! 👍 I’d recommend setting aside half a day to visit.
Halo W - 3 months ago
I love going to this museum it always has differents expositions that warms way heart. I’m so happy they gave free entry for the holidays 2024. I went with my Mexican mom that a history enthusiast , she was so excited to see the exposition about the native Mexican cultural objects. We also enjoyed the exposition of the other cultures such as African and Japanese. There was also very beautiful traditional paintings and modern art. I had a very nice time !!!
Brunelid Borgella Castaneda - 2 months ago
Amazing place to visit if you love art, architecture or are in need of an activity to do. If you’re visiting for the general museum it’s free which is wonderful and it’s not too expensive to see the exhibits once they come in. I would suggest not coming by car but instead taking the metro or bus.
Most people don’t know that many of napoleons personal items are in this museum, so go see that if you’re a history buff!
wooonewrt - 3 months ago
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
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