Liam TrudeauBroke but cultured? Visit the best free museums in Montreal!
Broke but still want to soak up Montreal’s culture? I got you. Picture this: you, me, and a whole bunch of fascinating artefacts, stunning art, and mind-boggling history—all without spending a single penny.
Sounds too good to be true? Well, mes amis, you’ll have your minds blown because this city is a haven for free museum lovers like us.
Join me as I share my favourite free museum gems, where you can immerse yourself in art, history, and science without breaking the bank. Heck, you won’t need to touch the bank at all!
Redpath Museum
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Location: 859 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C4, Canada
Contact: +1 514-398-4861
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Ever wished you could time travel and globetrot without leaving the city? Well, Montreal’s Redpath Museum is the answer to your wildest (and most frugal) dreams.
Nestled within McGill University, this 1882-established gem is a treasure chest packed with ancient organisms, glittering minerals, and artefacts from around the globe.
Hobnob with a mighty T-Rex, get acquainted with Egyptian mummies, and marvel at stunning Quebec minerals – all without spending a dime!
It’s like a world tour and a history lesson, minus the jet lag and hefty price tag. Who needs a DeLorean when you’ve got the Redpath?
Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal
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Location: 1380 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1J5, Canada
Contact: +1 514-285-2000
Operating hours:
- Tuesday & Thursday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Wednesday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
While it’s not entirely free, this museum offers free admission to its permanent collection every first Sunday of the month. And let me tell you, it’s not your average “freebie”.
This art haven boasts a collection that could rival the Louvre (okay, maybe not that big, but you get the idea). From ancient Egyptian treasures to contemporary masterpieces, they’ve got it all.
You can wander through halls filled with paintings by Monet, Rodin sculptures, and even quirky installations that’ll make you question reality. They also constantly host special exhibitions, events, and workshops that’ll tickle your brain cells.
McCord Stewart Museum
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Location: 690 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1E9, Canada
Contact: +1 514-861-6701
Operating hours:
- Tuesday & Thursday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Wednesday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
With a whopping 2.5 million artefacts, photos, and documents, Stewart Museum’s permanent collection offers a deep dive into Montreal’s past and present. You can experience it all for free on Wednesday evenings or the first Sunday of the month if you’re a Quebec resident.
Plus, those from indigenous communities are always welcome without charge. It’s a history buff’s dream come true, a student’s budget-friendly haven, and an immersive experience for anyone eager to delve into the heart of Montreal’s stories.
If you’re a fan of immersive experiences, we recommend checking out the museum’s interactive displays and community engagement activities. These are designed to pull you into the heart of their stories.
Musée de Lachine
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Location: 1 Chem. du Musée, Lachine, QC H8S 4L9, Canada
Contact: +1 514-367-6423
Musée de Lachine is your time machine to 17th-century Montreal. Here, you can wander through the halls of the Maison Le Ber-Le Moyne (Montreal’s oldest complete building) and feel the echoes of fur traders and Indigenous peoples who once lived here.
Although the museum is closed for renovations in 2024, you can still visit the site to explore the sprawling sculpture garden and admire the historic building’s exterior. This open-air museum, one of Canada’s largest, showcases thought-provoking art pieces amidst a serene landscape.
The museum also organises outdoor activities and events, such as guided tours of the sculptures and heritage walks around the site. Yes, you can join for free!
Centre de design de l’UQAM
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Location: 1440 Rue Sanguinet, Montréal, QC H2X 3X9, Canada
Contact: +1 514-987-3395
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Craving something that’ll tickle your brain as much as your eyeballs? Then look no further than the Centre de design de l’UQAM!
This free-admission wonderland is a dynamic hub for cutting-edge exhibitions that explore everything from architecture to fashion with a healthy dose of intellectual depth and historical context.
Forget staring at pretty pictures – here, you’ll dive into displays that explore the intersection of art and design. And with constantly changing exhibitions, you’re guaranteed a fresh dose of inspiration with every visit.
Canadian Centre for Architecture
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Location: 1920 Baile St, Montreal, Quebec H3H 2S6, Canada
Contact: +1 514-939-7026
Operating hours:
- Wednesday, Friday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Thursday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) is where your brain gets a free latte every Thursday evening and the first Sunday of every month!
Founded by the visionary Phyllis Lambert, this architectural wonderland is a portal to a world of mind-blowing exhibitions that explore everything from historical blueprints to cutting-edge designs.
Here, you’ll be transported through time and space, discover how architecture shapes our world and envision how it could reshape our future.
Montreal Holocaust Museum
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Location: 5151 Chem. de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3W 1M6, Canada
Contact: +1 514-939-7026
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Friday – 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
This institution is a testament to the power of remembrance and a call to action against hatred. With free admission on the first Sunday of every month, the Montreal Holocaust Museum invites you to connect with the stories of survivors and learn from the past.
The museum’s exhibitions and survivor testimonies make history feel immediate and personal, reminding us of the importance of fighting against antisemitism, racism, and prejudice.
Plus, it’s conveniently located on Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road, making it an easily accessible stop on your Montreal adventure.
La Guilde
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Location: 1356 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1J1, Canada
Contact: +1 514-849-6091
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
La Guilde is where the cool kids hang out! Since 1906, they’ve been showcasing awe-inspiring works of Inuit, First Nations, and Métis artists.
Expect to see intricate beadwork that’ll make your jaw drop, sculptures that’ll spark your imagination, and pieces that’ll leave you wanting more.
And the best part? It’s always free!
Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum
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Location: 400 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1H4, Canada
Contact: +1 514-282-8670
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum celebrates a real trailblazer, Marguerite Bourgeoys. She’s a 17th-century nun who founded the city’s first school and a community of independent women (take that, patriarchy!).
Housed in the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, this free museum is where you can explore an underground archaeological site. Here, you’ll find the remnants of the city’s first stone chapel and traces of First Nations campsites dating back 2,400 years.
Another highlight is the permanent exhibition “Meet Marguerite!” which showcases artworks related to Bourgeoys’ life.
Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal
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Location: niveau galerie commerciale, Pl. Ville-Marie local 11220, Montréal, QC H3B 3Y1, Canada
Contact: +1 514-847-6226
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is where the art party is, and you’re invited for free on the first Sunday of every month!
At this museum, you can ditch the predictable galleries and immerse yourself in a world of contemporary masterpieces, ancient treasures, and everything in between. From Monet to Basquiat, the MMFA’s collection will leave you breathless – and with a newfound appreciation for art that doesn’t involve bowls of fruit.
Plus, it’s located smack dab in the middle of Montreal’s cultural hub, so you can follow up your art fix with a stroll through Quartier des Spectacles.
