Address Book for Children Fans of History

Summer is finally here, and with our particular situation brought about by the pandemic, many families are looking for places closer to them to explore. Luckily, le Vieux is bursting with activities to seek out.

Is your child a history fan? We’ve gathered here a list of activities curated especially for budding history enthusiasts!

Pointe-à-Callière, Archeological and Historical Site of Montreal, 350 Place Royale

Permanent Exhibit: Pirates or Privateers?
Is your child into ships, treasure, and everything pirate? As luck would have it, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum is running the Pirates or Privateers? exhibit permanently, which reimagines the universe of Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville for your little landlubbers! Aboard the privateer ship, The d’Iberville, your kids will be plunged into a world of adventure, where they can test their physical and intellectual abilities and see if they have what it takes to be a true privateer.

Temporary Exhibit: A Railroad to Dreams - Until September 6th

This exhibit, presented by CP, is perfect for curious children! They will learn about the world of trains through models of iconic trains, hundreds of train miniatures, tools, costumes, archival photos and videos, and will even hear ambient sound that will make them feel as if they are in the middle of a busy station!

For movie fans, you will be excited to see a life-size reproduction of the famous DeLorian from the film Back to the Future, as well as the magical Platform 9 ¾ from the Harry Potter series.

A downloadable family activity booklet is available online and will surely make your visit even more enjoyable.

Both technologically interesting and very historical, this temporary exhibit is aimed to please children, but we bet that adults will find themselves just as entertained during their visit!

© Photo Credit 1: Pointe-à-Callière Museum

Guidatour, 360 Saint-François-Xavier Street

If you’re going to be walking all over town, why not explore the historical aspects of Montreal to better understand the origins of our fair city through captivating accounts and peculiar anecdotes? Guidatour’s ability to pique the curiosity of young and old minds alike fully explains their success in the many years they’ve been around!

Vieux-Montréal VIP is a semi-private walking tour of old Montreal (6 people per group maximum), accompanied by a professional guide that will give you a personalized and exclusive experience with particular perks like refreshments and a delightful snack break.

With the Old Montreal East and West guided tour, you will see sites of major historic importance within the neighbourhood in the company of a guide professional from Guidatour. Hike through the charming paved roads and the winding alleyways of le Vieux and behold the richness of its heritage.

Good to know: Guidatour is part of the Passeport Attraits program, offering discounts when combining several activities, notably including the Pointe-à-Callière Museum, the Bateau-Mouche, Bota-Bota, and the Marguerite-Bourgeoys Historical Site.

Montreal Port’s Grand Quay, 200 de la Commune Street West

Previously Alexandra Pier, the Grand Quay is offering curious minds (big and small alike) to explore maritime history by learning more about the tasks and jobs that keep a port running in their free exhibit All Aboard!.

Additionally, the green roof of the Grand Quay is well worth the detour. There, you can find a timeline that lays out the history of the Port, from the town’s founding to today! It is a great way to learn more about the city while staying active and enjoying great weather and the unmistakable view of the Vieux!

Château Ramezay, 280 Notre-Dame Street East

The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m – no reservation required. When you go, don’t miss out on the Governor's Garden.

Come savour this magnificent plot of nature, situated deep in the heart of the historic neighbourhood, and take a step back in time to the 18th century. This is a great way for children to learn about plants’ uses and to take time to contemplate the beauty of nature, all while learning plenty of interesting facts about the gardens of New France.

All precautions have been taken in accordance to the prescribed sanitary guidelines in order to ensure a safe visit for our guests.

© Photo credit 2-3 : Château Ramezay

Marguerite-Bourgeoys Historical Site, 400 Saint-Paul Street East

The Marguerite-Bourgeoys Historical Site is the last stop on the must-sees for any child into history. Here, you can admire the oldest chapel in Montreal (dated 1771) and its sublime Casavant pipe organ. The two proposed circuits offered by the Historical Site are called the “Bonsecours Experience”: a journey to discover the life of Marguerite Bourgeoys, the neighbourhood, and the Bonsecours site via an original narration that you can access through your cellular device. The trip is punctuated with anecdotes, testimonials, and exclusive images.

Amazing architectural and artistic discoveries await you. A family package, valid for up to two adults and three children (age 16 and younger), is available to purchase for $30.