Underground Pedestrian Network

The name “the Underground City” refers to the vast network of pedestrian walkways below the city. There are 33 kilometres (20.5 miles) of connecting passageways beneath downtown, with the métro (subway), commuter trains and buses also converging here. Approximately 500,000 people circulate daily on this network, where some 2,200 shops and restaurants, 10 major hotels, museums, theaters and universities can be found. The concept began in 1962 with the lower level shopping mall in Place Ville Marie. With the coming of Expo 67, Montréal’s dream of a métro finally became reality. The underground network went through many stages of development.