A guide to Montréal's squares

Square Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier

If you’re headed to one of the many popular restaurants, cafés or bars along Notre-Dame Street West in the neighbourhood of Saint-Henri, stop by this green space for a relaxing break by the fountain or go for a swim in the city pool. (Not to be confused with the also visit-worthy Sir George-Etienne Cartier National Historic Site in Old Montréal.)

Place Émilie-Gamelin

Right next to Berri-UQAM metro station in the Quartier des spectacles, this grassy square turns into the Jardins Gamelin come spring, with an open-air bar and café, food trucks, urban gardens, live music and performances, activities for kids and more. Come winter, it’s all about the Glissades Gamelin for some snow-filled adventure.

Place de la Paix

Located next door to digital-culture hub Society for Arts and Technology [SAT] in the Quartier des spectacles, this small square hosts open-air film screenings, skate jams, afternoons of electronic music and more all summer long.

Square Phillips

Sit on the steps of the monument to King Edward VII at this recently-expanded square on shopping-centric Sainte-Catherine Street, across the Birks flagship store and hotel, and one of the many entrances to the Underground Pedestrian Network.

Square Saint-Louis

At the foot of restaurant-rich pedestrian corridor Prince-Arthur Street, you’ll find this Parisian-style square surrounded by quaint turn-of-the-century Victorian homes. It’s also well-located along the shopping district Saint-Denis Street, across the street from the ITHQ, and up the hill from the youthful Latin Quarter.

Square Victoria

Take a break from meetings or sightseeing in Old Montréal at this 19th-century square right above Square-Victoria-OACI metro station, outfitted with Art Nouveau signage, across from the World Trade Centre Montréal and the W Montréal hotel’s Italian-inspired Tbsp. restaurant.

Square Dorchester – Place du Canada

One of the most picturesque spots in downtown Montréal, this recently restored square was once known as Dominion Square – hence the name of well-respected Bar Dominion on its eastern edge, next to the impressive Sun Life Building. Steps to the east, you’ll find the impressive Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. Dorchester Square is also where you can hop on a double-decker bus city tour or take a day trip out to a nature park with La Navette Nature.

Place d’Armes

In the heart of Old Montréal, facing the exquisite Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal on one side and the lavish architecture of the Bank of Montréal on the other, you’ll often hear live music in this tree-lined square originally built at the end of the 17th century.

Place Pasteur

Integrated seamlessly into the Université de Québec à Montréal (UQAM) campus, this popular hangout for the energetic student crowd fits right in with the vibe of lower Saint-Denis Street. The square’s creative energy and playful landscaping always lends something unexpected to see, especially during the annual MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE festival every July.

Place Jacques-Cartier

This lively square in Old Montréal – once the site of a bustling public market – is where artists set up their easels, buskers draw crowds, and tourists snap selfies by historic buildings. Lined with café patios and flower beds, it gently slopes down from City Hall toward the various activities and attractions of the Old Port.

Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle

Facing the kaleidoscopic windows of the Palais des congrès, this square is named after Québec artist Jean-Paul Riopelle, whose dramatic fountain sculpture La Joute features as the star attraction. On summer evenings, the fountain’s mist and fire show adds a touch of magic to this artsy urban space.

Place Vauquelin

Sandwiched between Montréal’s grand City Hall and the old courthouse, this is a quieter square with benches and a large central fountain. It’s a peaceful place to take a break or to sneak a view of Downtown and the Mount Royal Cross.

Place des Festivals

Part of the Quartier des spectacles, this open space serves as the city’s giant outdoor party venue: It’s an urban plaza with interactive fountains, light installations, and large area for free shows, from the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal to Nuit Blanche.

Place Royale

This small cobblestone square is packed with history – representing where Montréal’s very first marketplace was established when the colony was founded. Today, it’s a quiet spot surrounded by beautiful old stone buildings and sits right across Pointe-à-Callière, the city’s renowned archaeology and history museum.

Place d’Youville

Once the Little Saint-Pierre River, covered over in the early 1800s, this square now showcases several monuments honouring important moments in the city’s history, including a towering obelisk and a plaque dedicated to The Great Peace of Montréal, signed in 1701, when Indigenous peoples and French settlers agreed to a truce.

Place Sun-Yat-Sen

Right in the heart of Montréal’s Chinatown, this small but lively space dedicated to a Chinese revolutionary leader is a cultural gathering spot where locals play chess, perform Tai chi, or congregate for larger community events.

Place Simon-Valois

Found in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, this bright, modern square is surrounded by cafés and local shops. In summer, you’ll often find pop-up markets, music, or kids running around – it’s a great snapshot of everyday Montréal life outside the downtown core, and just steps away from a major public market.