Grand Quay and Old Port
A celebration by the river, in the heart of Montréal
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Discover the Grand Quay
In 2026, Montréal Canada Day will take place at the Grand Quay of the Port of Montréal.
Located in the heart of the Old Port, this landmark site offers an open, accessible and welcoming setting for families, visitors and participants throughout the day.
With a green roof and terrace, the Grand Quay welcomes many visitors and offers remarkable views of the city and the river. It is a natural setting for a civic, festive and Montréal-facing celebration.
The Old Port of Montréal is a historic site closely tied to the city’s development and its connection to the St. Lawrence River. In 2026, Montréal Canada Day continues this story by bringing people together at the Grand Quay to celebrate, discover and gather.
Discover the Old Port
It was indeed by the St. Lawrence River that the founder of Montreal, Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, arrived in 1642.
Subsequently, the first French settlers settled nearby. It is thanks to its port activities that Ville-Marie developed to become the great international metropolis that Montreal is today.
Today, the Old Port of Montreal welcomes more than 6 million visitors a year. They arrive by air, land and also by sea. Old Montreal is a popular stopover for large ocean-going cruise ships. With its marina and yacht club, it is also a port of call used by local, Canadian, American and other boaters.
There are also many other tourist activities to do: cruises, amphi-buses, riverboats, bike rentals, etc. Located nearby, Place Jacques-Cartier is the meeting place for the public entertainers and musicians who enliven this place. As for the adjacent streets, they include many shops, terraces, bistros, cafes and restaurants.
The history of the Old Port
1642
Foundation of Montreal by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve. This one probably docked in the current Old Port.
1809
The Accommodation was the first steamship to shuttle between Montreal and Quebec.
1850
Dredging of a channel between Montreal and Lake Saint-Pierre. The Port of Montreal can now accommodate transoceanic ships.
1898
Improvement of port facilities: concrete quays, steel sheds, basins and grain silos.
1922
Inauguration of the Clock Tower erected in honor of the men of the merchant navy lost at sea during the conflicts of the early 20th century.
Foundation of Montreal by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve. This one probably docked in the current Old Port.
1976
Relocation of the port further east putting an end to port activities in Old Montreal.
1982
Restoration of the Clock Tower and demolition of Silo No. 1 to open up the view of the river.
1992
Inauguration du "Nouveau Vieux-Port de Montréal" à l’occasion du 350e anniversaire de la fondation de la Ville.
Partners
Thank you to our partners who make Montréal Canada Day possible. This event is made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Canada.
Canada Day In Montreal
