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 Very good experience at the museum. Tour starts with a video explaining a bit of the history of Montreal and how it was founded. Then you can walk through the rest of the museum self guided. The way that they have preserved the foundations of the original buildings underneath the museum is amazing and it really gives you a sense of stepping back in time. Walking through the old sewer system was also really interesting. Definitely worth checking out.
Matthew Sawatzky - 3 months ago
We have visited the museum today with our teenagers, and we enjoyed it. Actually, the museum has exceeded my expectations. It is bigger than I thought, and the introduction visual show is very interesting and captivating, telling you the history of Montreal in 10 minutes. After that, we moved to the exhibits on different floors of the building. The museum itself is located above the first Montreal settlement, and you can actually stand on the spot where the city got started. We also really liked the pirates exhibit with many interactive activities. I recommend this museum even if you think it is hiring. This one is not. Enjoy!
Kate Kraversky - 3 months ago
Urban archaeology site at its finest. We spent 4 hours there and can say it was a very well done history of Montreal from an archaeological perspective and visual displays. The videos are excellent the immigration story is moving. The special exhibit on St. Henri neighborhood and the tannery was very well done. The pirate exhibit is fun for all. This is a real treasure especially with French/native individual stories.
Theresa Hoban - a month ago
We absolutely LOVED this museum! It was one of the best museums we've ever visited, though we initially compared it to the one underneath Notre Dame in Paris (the Paris Archaeological Crypt). This museum was so much more than that one was! It was so well done, between all the ruins, the dioramas, the fully restored original 1800s sewer, maps showing where you were in relation to the 1600s, some of the original buildings/foundations still existing, the pirate ship, the artifacts, the amazing and friendly staff, the beautiful gift shop, and the well thought out exhibits that were easy to understand in both French and English. This museum gave us a far better appreciation of the fascinating history of Montreal with its beautiful architecture and culture.
We even got a bit of a discount on the ticket price by using the Montreal tourism pass (three attractions).
This museum was so worth the price of admission!!!! Leave at least 2-3 hours (or more!) to go through, as it is larger than it first seems! A must see for anyone interested in history.
Angela Smith - 3 months ago
Visited Pointe-à-Callière, and it was such a memorable experience! The museum beautifully captures centuries of history, from the heritage of First Peoples to Montreal’s founding and beyond. The architectural ruins themselves are a marvel, and the entire site feels like stepping back in time.
Hans and I caught the seasonal witchcraft exhibit, which added an unexpected and captivating layer. With over 400 artifacts, from manuscripts to paintings, it offered a glimpse into the dark periods of witch hunts while honoring the resilience of those who lived through them. It was both haunting and informative, showing the impact of history in a very real way.
I loved every part of our visit—it’s educational, immersive, and so relaxing. If you have a free afternoon in Montreal, I highly recommend checking it out. It’s an absolute gem for anyone interested in history or just looking to explore Montreal's rich cultural past!
Myles Jeffrey Hunter - 2 weeks 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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