GENERAL INFO
IS OLD MONTREAL THE SAME AS THE OLD PORT?
No! While some people may refer to “Old Montreal” and the “Old Port” interchangeably, they are not the same!
Old Montreal is the historic district roughly located between rue Saint-Antoine and rue de la Commune and from rue Saint-Hubert to rue Longueil and rue Des Soeurs-Grises. It is part of the Ville-Marie borough of the City of Montreal.
The Old Port consists of the area between rue de la Commune and the St. Lawrence River. It is federal land and is not part of the City of Montreal.
BEFORE YOU GO
SHORT-TERM RENTALS (i.e. Airbnb, Vrbo) ARE ILLEGAL IN OLD MONTREAL unless there is a valid CITQ license number displayed in the ad and in the unit. Fines range from $2,500 to $25,000. If you are offered an unlicensed short-term rental unit in Old Montreal, click here to report it.
Leave the car! Construction projects in Old Montreal are currently causing congestion in Old Montreal and on-street parking is difficult to find, especially during the busy tourist season. There are only a few surface lots and parking garages.
Come to Old Montreal on foot or via transit (Place-d’Armes, Champs-de-Mars and Square Victoria-OACI metro stations).
If you must drive… Follow street signs carefully as there are many one-way streets in Old Montreal. Street signs in Old Montreal are red and “Rue” is French for “Street.” Streets running east from Saint-Laurent Blvd. are “E” or “Est” and those running west of Saint-Laurent Blvd. are “O” and “Ouest.”
Old Montreal is a 30km/h zone. As in other parts of the island of Montreal, you are never permitted to turn right on a red light or to turn in either direction while there is a green arrow pointing forward.
Stopping or parking anywhere on the perimeter of Place d’Armes is prohibited.
Parking: If you are lucky, you will find street parking throughout Old Montreal – but read the signs carefully!
If it is a spot that requires payment, take note of the letter and number on the black pole where you parked and proceed to a nearby “Pay and Go” meter or use the convenient app. (If you are parked in front of one of the machines, your spot number is displayed on the corresponding side of it.) For more information, click here.
There are also a few parking lots and garages in Old Montreal.
Communauto and Leo users will find several spaces throughout Old Montreal.
Motorcycles. Motorcycles are prohibited in Old Montreal from 11pm to 7am.
Buses. Coach buses and tour buses are not allowed on many streets in Old Montreal or anywhere around Place D’Armes. There are designated stopping/parking spaces for these buses on rue de la Commune near Place Royale, on rue Saint-Antoine O, on Notre-Dame E. at Place Jacques Cartier and on Notre-Dame near Place Jacques Cartier.
Pedestrian zones: In the summer, Place Jacques Cartier and rue Saint-Paul E. between rue du Marché Bonsecours and Saint-Laurent Blvd. are pedestrian-only zones (they are accessible to delivery vehicles in the morning). Place d’Youville between Place Royale and rue de Callière and rue Le Royer O. are also pedestrian-only zones during peak season. Rue Notre-Dame O. is closed between Place D’Armes and Saint-Sulpice (in front of the Notre-Dame Basilica).
Walk with care. Old Montreal has many cobblestone streets, narrow sidewalks, and steep hills – and in the summer months it is typically crowded with people. Pedestrians should wear sensible footwear and persons with limited mobility should use caution.
Always follow the pedestrian lights at intersections – not the traffic lights – for your safety.
Many areas of Old Montreal – and many shops and restaurants – are not wheelchair accessible.
Be aware! Old Montreal is an increasingly unsafe area to visit, so be vigilant and exercise caution. Vehicle break-ins and other forms of theft are common, so do not leave valuable items on display and always be aware of your surroundings.
Police (SPVM) conduct infrequent patrols of Old Montreal in marked and unmarked vehicles and, during the peak season, there are SPVM cadets on foot patrol as well as agents of the Old Montreal Community Patrol (PCVM/OMCP).
Call 911 to report any emergency.
Tours. In Montreal, tour guides are required to be licensed. Ensure that your tour guide is displaying a valid permit.
Place d’Armes. This historic square is a popular gathering spot for visitors but it is currently one of the most dangerous due to poor planning by the City and no enforcement by police. Watch out for vehicles, even when you’re in a spot where they are not permitted.
During peak tourist periods, Place d’Armes is monitored by PCVM/OMCP agents and, occasionally, SPVM cadets.
Commercial activity is prohibited and live performances are restricted to artists who are licensed and scheduled. Commercial photography and recording requires a permit from the City. Vehicles of any kind are not permitted on the square.
BEHAVIOUR
Old Montreal is not only a destination for sightseeing, dining and fun – it is a community of residents and workers. If you are visiting, please respect the people who live and work in the neighbourhood by not making excessive noise, littering, riding bikes or scooters on sidewalks, or being generally disruptive.
Old Montreal is also an historic district with buildings that date back 100 years of more. Do not desecrate these buildings with graffiti. To report graffiti in Old Montreal, click here.
Affixing posters or stickers to public property is also prohibited by law.
SMOKING
Smoking is not permitted on restaurant/bar patios (known locally as terrasses). Fines range from $250 to $1,500 for individuals and $500 to $25,000 for business owners.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
Old Montreal is served by public transit, STM. It is steps away from the following metro stations: Square-Victoria-OAC (western edge of Old Montreal); Place D’Armes (middle of Old Montreal); and Champs-De-Mars (eastern edge of Old Montreal).
Old Montreal is also served by several bus routes.
PUBLIC WASHROOMS
You will find a public washroom on rue de la Commune E. at the foot of rue Saint Jean Baptiste. There are also several public washrooms throughout the Old Port.
BIXI
There are several Bixi stations in Old Montreal. Click here for a convenient map.
WHERE ARE THE HORSES?
Horse-drawn carriages (also known as calèches) have not been permitted in Montreal since Jan. 1, 2020.
PANHANDLERS
Montreal is one of the poorest major cities in Canada so you will see panhandlers as well as evidence of homelessness in Old Montreal. The problem is particularly obvious on the block of rue Notre-Dame O. between Saint-Sulpice and Saint-Laurent where there are two convenience stores that sell alcohol.
Residents and business owners respectfully request that you do not give cash to these panhandlers, who become intoxicated and aggressive and frequently litter, urinate and defecate in public spaces and on private property.
FILM & TV LOCATIONS
Dozens of films and TV shows have shot scenes in Old Montreal. Here’s a look at a few of the productions that have put the historic district on screen.
OLD MONTREAL / OLD PORT INFORMATION
Old Montreal | City of Montreal official site
Old Montreal | Tourism Montreal official site
Vieux-Montreal | Business Development Corporation official site
Montreal en Histoires | Historical information
Old Port Montreal | Old Port official site
WEATHER
OLD MONTREAL GUIDE 