Landmark

Place Jacques-Cartier

Old Montréal, Montréal

Place Jacques-Cartier square at dusk with Nelson's Column and historic buildings, Old Montréal
Photo: Joe Passe / Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

A sloping public square in Old Montréal with the Nelson column, shops and restaurants around it. The city is still bound by an 1803 deed that requires it to stay a public market, which is why a small flower kiosk remains.

Nearest station Champ-de-Mars (Orange line)
Time needed 30 min
Best time Early morning, before the crowds
Free

Insider tip

The City of Montréal is studying permanent pedestrianisation as part of the Old Montréal pedestrian priority zone, so street access may change.

What the guides say about Place Jacques-Cartier

Take in the Old Port of Montréal, where the visitor information page gives 6 a.m. to midnight, and wander Place Jacques-Cartier and Rue Saint-Paul.

Get off at Place-d'Armes Metro and walk down Rue Saint-Paul past Bonsecours Market to Place Jacques-Cartier, the sloping square with the Nelson column.

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View on the interactive map Google Maps directions

What's on near Place Jacques-Cartier

Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Place Jacques-Cartier, from the weekly Montréal events calendar.

Theatre and shows Starts in 10 days

ÉCO-RDV 2026 : connecter les besoins des donneurs d’ordre aux solutions locales

23 Nov Marché Bonsecours, Ville-Marie

Time 8:30 am

Paid, registration required. At Marché Bonsecours.

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Theatre and shows

Cirque du Soleil 2027 under the Big Top

13 Apr to 22 Aug 2027 Big Top, Old Port of Montreal, Old Montréal

Cirque du Soleil's Montréal run under the Big Top at the Old Port is listed from 13 April to 22 August 2027. The page says it cannot share what the new show is yet and will reveal it on 20 October.

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Stay nearby Hotels near Big Top, Old Port of Montreal, 16 to 18 April

Marina and waterfront of the Old Port of Montréal with the Grande Roue in the distance Dennis Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0
Concert

Igloofest

14 Jan to 6 Feb 2027 Old Port of Montreal, Old Montréal

Station Champ-de-Mars (Orange line)

The outdoor winter electronic music festival runs 14 January to 6 February 2027 at the Quai Jacques-Cartier in the Old Port. The festival's own page prints both 14 January to 6 February (banner) and 15 January to 7 February (lineup section). The shows are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 14 January is a Thursday.

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Stay nearby Hotels near Old Port of Montreal, 15 to 17 January

Marina and waterfront of the Old Port of Montréal with the Grande Roue in the distance Dennis Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0

Smaller local events nearby

  • Place Jacques-Cartier Market Market

    Every day. Next: Fri 13 Nov · Place Jacques-Cartier, Old Montréal

    A neighbourhood market in Old Montréal. It runs as a sugar shack from December to April, with maple taffy on snow, hot maple cider and maple waffles, and sells maple products, fruit and ice cream in summer.

    Free entry · Mon to Fri 09:00 to 22:00, Sat and Sun 09:00 to 12:00 · Map · Source: Marchés publics de Montréal · Marché Place Jacques-Cartier

  • Jazz brunch at Gaspar Concert

    Every Saturday and Sunday. Next: Sat 14 Nov · Gaspar, Old Montréal

    A weekend brunch with a live jazz duo in the Old Montréal brasserie.

    See venue · Saturdays and Sundays 11:00 to 14:00 · Map · Source: Gaspar · Brunch et jazz live chez Gaspar

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Nearby

Rue Saint-Paul Neighbourhood · 1 min walk One of the main streets of Old Montréal, running parallel to the river and part of the district's pedestrian priority zone. Château Ramezay Museum · 1 min walk A museum of Montréal and Quebec history on Notre-Dame Street East. Montreal City Hall Landmark · 2 min walk The seat of Montréal's municipal government, on Notre-Dame Street East. Place Vauquelin Park · 2 min walk A small historic park next to Montréal's City Hall. Bonsecours Market Market · 2 min walk A 19th-century domed market building on Rue Saint-Paul, now housing boutiques, exhibitions and restaurants. La Grande Roue de Montréal Viewpoint · 2 min walk A Ferris wheel on the Old Port waterfront that's open every day of the year.

Around Old Montréal

Cobblestones, a basilica and the river, all within a few blocks

Old Montréal is the oldest part of the city, set between Rue Saint-Antoine and the Old Port along the Saint Lawrence. Notre-Dame Basilica, Pointe-à-Callière and Bonsecours Market are all within about ten minutes of each other on foot. Most visitors do it in half a day, though a museum and a meal stretch it to a full one.

Old Montréal has 20 places on the Roam Montréal map: 5 museums, 5 landmarks, 4 parks and gardens, 2 churches and basilicas, 1 market, 1 viewpoint, 1 neighbourhood and 1 cafe. Read the Old Montréal guide.

From the blog

Old Montréal vs the Plateau: Which Is the Better Base in Montréal? Read Where to Stay in Old Montréal: Is Vieux-Montréal a Good Base? Read

Good to know

How do I get to Place Jacques-Cartier?
The nearest station is Champ-de-Mars (Orange line). Place Jacques-Cartier is in Old Montréal, Montréal.
How long do you need at Place Jacques-Cartier?
Plan for 30 min.
When is the best time to visit Place Jacques-Cartier?
Early morning, before the crowds.

Stay near Place Jacques-Cartier

Browse live availability and compare prices around Old Montréal.

See hotels near Place Jacques-Cartier on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 14 November. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Montréal earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.