Old Port of Montréal
A favourite destination for tourists and Montrealers alike during all four seasons.
Historical Heritage
Declared an historical district in 1963, the Old Port of Montreal has been the lifeblood of this city's social, economic and cultural history ever since early French fur traders used it as a trading post in 1611. Having played an integral role in the development of New France over the course of two centuries, the Port of Montreal - as it was then known - enjoyed continued importance under British rule well into the late nineteenth century. Now operated by the federal government of Canada, the Old Port of Montreal and its wealth of cultural, artistic, sporting, recreational and historical activities is a favourite destination for tourists and Montrealers alike during all four seasons.
The Mighty Saint Lawrence
Having undergone a complete redevelopment and restoration project in 1992, the Old Port now attracts well over five million visitors per year. Stretching a total of 2.4-km along the banks of the mighty Saint Lawrence River, the Old Port boasts a wide range of outdoor activities including a vast network of cycling and rollerblading paths that connect to the Lachine Rapids and Ile-Notre-Dame bike paths, as well as river rafting, boat tours, festivals and ice skating at the famous Bonsecours Basin skating rink.
Of course, the Old Port has no shortage of indoor activities and is the site of such popular recreational centres as the Montreal Science Centre and the IMAX theatre, as well as various boutiques and restaurants. An ideal outing that the entire family can enjoy, a visit to the Old Port of is a journey into the heart of Montreal!