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ArchitecTours: 50 years of action for Montreal

From August 2 to September 28, 2025, Héritage Montréal welcomes the public to its new edition of ArchitecTours. In this unique year of celebrations, explore with our volunteer guides how the idea of conserving heritage has evolved as you tour Milton-Park, downtown, the Lachine Canal, Maisonneuve, Mile End and Mile-Ex.

From the threat of demolition to adaptive reuse, our tours take a fresh look at the past 50 years and reflect Héritage Montréal’s exceptional commitment to the city.

Tour No. 1: Milton-Park: a neighbourhood mobilized and shaped by its residents

Departures: August 2nd, August 17th, August 31st, September 13th at 10:30 am.

Few Montreal neighbourhoods have seen such a strong mobilization by its citizens as Milton-Park. Since its foundation in 1975, one of Héritage Montréal’s objectives has been to accompany and support these citizen movements in the defense of our heritage. This tour traces the evolution of the neighbourhood from its rural beginnings to the present day.

  • Starting point: Small public square at the corner of Milton and Clark streets (across from 33 Milton Street) – accessible via the Sherbrooke or Place-des-Arts metro stations.
  • End point: At the corner of Sherbrooke and Durocher streets, a 5-minute walk from Place-des-Arts metro station (green line).

Get your tickets

Tour No. 2: Battle by battle! From the Van Horne mansion to McGill College Avenue

Departures: 3rd August, 23rd August, 7th September and 27th September at 10:30 am.

Starting in the 1960s, Montreal’s downtown underwent a period of rapid modernization, much of which generated alarm and opposition, culminating in 1973 with the demolition of the Van Horne mansion. Groups of citizens mobilized to save the very heart and soul of the city. From the splendid buildings of Sherbrooke Street and the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine house to the protection of McGill College Avenue and its incomparable view of Mount Royal, see how Héritage Montréal has contributed to conserving the metropolis’ emblematic sites.

  • Starting point: 3400 Stanley Street, at the corner of Sherbrooke Street West, a 4-minute walk from Peel metro station (green line).
  • End point: Esplanade at Place Ville Marie (north side – near McGill College Avenue and the Cathcart). Nearest metro stations: McGill (green line), a 5-minute walk, and Square-Victoria–OACI (orange line), an 8-minute walk.

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Tour No. 3: The Lachine Canal and the challenges of industrial heritage

Departures: 9th August, 24th August, 6th September, 21st September at 10:30 am.

The Lachine Canal, veritable backbone of industry and transport for more than a century, celebrates its bicentenary in 2025. Closed in 1970 and reopened as a navigable waterway in 2002, it has seen significant redevelopment of industrial buildings in the neighbourhoods on its banks – most particularly rehabilitation for residential use – featured in this tour.

  • Starting point: At the intersection of McGill and De la Commune streets, in front of the Marché des Éclusiers (400 De la Commune Street West), a 6-minute walk from Square-Victoria–OACI metro station (orange line).
  • End point: Near the Saint-Gabriel Locks, close to the intersection of Des Seigneurs and des Bassins streets, a 20-minute walk from Georges-Vanier metro station (orange line).

Get your tickets

Tour No. 4: La Cité de Maisonneuve: recognition of a unique heritage

Departures: 16th August, 14th September, 28th September at 10:30 am.

La Cité de Maisonneuve (1883-1918) was designed not only to attract industries, but also as a model city with wide boulevards, parks and public buildings of quality. This tour looks at this remarkable legacy recognized by an innovative classification in 2022.

  • Starting point: In front of the CCSE Maisonneuve (formerly the Maisonneuve public market), at 4375 Ontario Street East – accessible via bus 125 East or a 19-minute walk from Pie-IX metro station (green line).
  • End point: Near the Maisonneuve Library, at the corner of Pie-IX and Ontario streets, a 12-minute walk from Pie-IX metro station (green line).

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Tour No. 5: Mile End & Mile-Ex: current perspectives on changing neighbourhoods

Departures: 10th August, 30th August, 20th September at 10:30 am.

This tour looks at two adjoining industrial neighbourhoods separated by railway tracks and how they have changed over the last decade. Innovative reuses of industrial buildings and places – often initiated by community groups – characterize these two neighbourhoods and point to future requalification of built heritage.

  • Starting point: At the corner of De Gaspé and Saint-Viateur streets, at the entrance to the Champ des Possibles. A 12-minute walk from Rosemont metro station.
  • End point: At the intersection of Waverly and Alexandra streets, near Le Pick Up convenience store. Located halfway between Parc and De Castelnau metro stations (blue line), about a 10-minute walk from either.

Get your tickets

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

  • Tours in French: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Tour in English: 10:30 a.m.
  • The tour is a walking tour, lasts approximately 120 minutes, and takes place rain or shine. If weather conditions become too disruptive, Héritage Montréal may decide to cancel the tour.
  • Some routes include stairs or steps.
  • Please arrive before the scheduled start time, as tours begin on time and latecomers will not be accommodated.
  • Animals, even on a leash, are not permitted, except for guide dogs or service animals. Please notify us in advance if this applies to you.
  • You will receive a registration confirmation by email, as well as a reminder a few days before the tour.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • Single rate: $5 per ticket, plus applicable service fees.
  • Tickets may be exchanged once or refunded in cases of unforeseeable circumstances, up to 72 business hours before the tour (excluding service fees). Please notify us as early as possible if you need to cancel.
  • To allow as many people as possible to participate, a limited number of tickets is allowed per transaction.
  • An advance ticket purchase is required. No tickets will be sold on site on the day of the tour.
  • Tickets may not be resold. Héritage Montréal, through its Tuxedo ticketing platform, is the only authorized point of sale.
  • In case of disruptive weather conditions or force majeure, Héritage Montréal reserves the right to cancel the tour. In this case, tickets will be exchanged or refunded, and participants will be notified.

See frequently asked questions about activities

Contact us:
architectours@heritagemontreal.org / 514 286-2662, extension 21

Partners

This activity is presented with the support of La Caisse, as well as through the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal between the Ville de Montréal and the Gouvernement du Québec, and the Government of Canada’s Young Canada Works Program. Thank you!

 


 
 

 
 

Photo cover : Angle Van Horne et Saint-Laurent (Détail), Gabor Szilasi, 1980, MNBAQ

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