Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal

Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal

Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The MMFA is one of Canada’s most visited museums and the eighth-most visited museum in North America, boasting more than 1.3 million visitors. The MMFA's original temporary exhibitions combine various artistic disciplines – fine arts, music, film, fashion and design – and are exported around the world. Its rich encyclopedic collection, distributed among five pavilions, includes international art, world cultures, decorative arts and design, and Quebec and Canadian art. The Museum has seen exceptional growth in recent years with the addition of two new pavilions: the Claire and Marc Bourgie Pavilion, in 2011, and the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for Peace, in 2016. The MMFA complex includes Bourgie Hall, a 460-seat concert hall. The Museum also houses the Michel de la Chenelière International Atelier for Education and Art Therapy, the largest educational complex in a North American art museum, enabling the MMFA to offer innovative educational, wellness and art therapy programmes
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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  • Howard S
    Albany, New York798 contributions
    Large Collection of art created throughout the ages
    This musuem has a large collection of Canadain art including that from Quebec and the Inuits. When were were there, they had their first major multidisciplinary exhibition devoted to the place of music in the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, considered one of of the most innovative artists of the second half of the 20th century . However, he was not Canadian, but was from Brooklyn. I liked the fact that we could see the large portrait of Leonard Cohen drawn pn the side of a buidling from the windows of the museum. Leonard Cohen on the other hand was Canadian.
    Visited December 2022
    Written December 13, 2022
  • carb424
    Medway, Massachusetts117 contributions
    Beautiful works of art
    We spent a great afternoon here today with kids who are 15 and 19. Under 20 get in free everyday but today they were letting everyone in free so we didn’t spend any money and had a wonderful time looking at amazing art. There are three different buildings to visit and about 12 total floors of paintings, sculptures, and other objects. Highly recommend even if you have to pay
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written December 27, 2022
  • victoriafoody
    Victoria, Canada311 contributions
    Beautiful Art
    This is a great museum with a wide variety of art spread out across multiple buildings. There is the ethnic art from Asia and First Nation, as well as the more traditional Western Art. We especially enjoyed the gallery on Japanese art and the modern design furniture. We would definitely go back as there's lots of interesting and beautiful art to explore. If there's one complaint, it's that there is no cloakroom or anywhere secure to leave coats or bags whilst inside.
    Visited July 2022
    Written January 18, 2023
  • jahhp
    Los Angeles, California634 contributions
    World Class Museum!
    Great special exhibits, great permanent exhibits, it's very easy to get lost here and spend a good portion of time. It's very clean, modern and well-laid out. There are so many exhibits, it's best to check out their website...or just GO! If you're a museum lover (like I am), you won't be disappointed.
    Visited October 2022
    Written February 10, 2023
  • Film G
    New England973 contributions
    Good, Not Great.
    A few great pieces, some plain weird, this large museum features Canadian artists. Much of the artwork is 'Meh'. There is also a substantial amount of indigenous artworks, mostly Inuit. They're good, but need more context. The explanatory notices are often difficult to understand. Assume 5-6 hours for a visit. Good toilets and WiFi.
    Visited February 2023
    Written February 19, 2023
  • Ladydoc
    Invercargill, New Zealand102 contributions
    Nice visit on a snowy Saturday in Montreal
    The exhibits of Canadian artists in particular were really interesting. The museum layout is a bit confusing with various buildings and floors, so I borrowed a laminated map to carry with me. I ended up not finding the featured History of Women in Design exhibit until well past my scheduled time so I didn’t see that, but I spent 2.5 hours enjoying different galleries. I also didn’t get to the cafe until after it closed, but I had a late lunch a few blocks away so it was not a big deal. One suggestion I have would be to have a good selection of Canadian prints in the museum gift shop. The selection was quite limited, with most of the offerings on hand being postcards or items that were not Canada-specific (many not even at the museum). I had hoped to bring home a Cullen or Harris print to frame. The museum was busy but did not feel overcrowded. They offer tours in both English and French, and they also had children’s activities on the day of my visit. A hidden gem is Sea Change by Shary Boyle, tucked away in a corner of the Inuit gallery.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written March 26, 2023
  • Trevor A
    New York City, New York77 contributions
    Great museum. Awful stairs.
    The exhibits were great. I liked the mix of modern with older pieces in some exhibits. The size is good. It can be viewed leisurely and take hours if you want, but it’s not so big that you can’t see most things in one visit. My one complain is the staircases with tiny tiny stairs. Yes, they are visually interesting, but awkward to walk on in either direction. I also overheard other people commenting similarly as we walked near each other. These stairs are so small they they could ALMOST be universally designed ramps that all people could use, but they end up being inaccessible to some people and an inconvenience and annoyance to others.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 2, 2023
  • AlanaMike
    Rossland, Canada137 contributions
    It’s fine
    This is a fine museum that really needs to improve its gift shop. Genuinely we just have been to so many museums that this was okay. Just a lot of what we saw we felt Chicago did a lot better. There were a lot of tour groups that would completely fill sections and/or rooms and we were encountering them on nearly every level of every wing and would have to wait. We were lucky that admission was offered with our room so we still felt positive about this. We enjoyed seeing the section about Quebec’s answer to the group of 7. The shop is filled with products related to items not in their museum. It was a challenge even finding postcards that were actually shown in the museum. It seems like there may have been more the month before since there was a lot of Basquiat merch but the one regular piece of his they had wasn’t on display at the time.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 9, 2023
  • Tricia H
    Beverly, Massachusetts39 contributions
    McQueen and Innuit Exhibits are totally worth the visit!
    First, know that the museum is currently undergoing renovations and only 1 of the 4 buildings is open. Having said that, the Andrew Lee McQueen exhibit is exceptional and worth the price of admission and time. We also really enjoyed the permanent Innuit art exhibit. We were not disappointed at all.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written June 17, 2023
  • kathnelson
    Haverford, Pennsylvania8 contributions
    One of the best art museums I have visited
    This museum is wonderful. The building itself is marvelous. You move smoothly from purchasing ticket to the galleries. At the time of our visit, the Dempsey Bob exhibit was featured. What a treat. The collection was extensive and the captions really helped to both describe the artist’s process and evolution. Provided insight into the both the Pacific NW and Pacific Island indigenous cultures. Very moving. The permanent exhibits were also really well exhibited in beautiful galleries. Definitely worth the price of admission, and there is a free option on Weds. evenings.
    Visited June 2023
    Written June 18, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Roy L
Calgary, Canada10 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
Contemporary to period art collections nicely displayed and curated. Be prepared to walk lots of stairs if you don't want to wait for elevators. But well
worth it!
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

baywanderer
San Francisco, CA342 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
Very mixed experience. If you go before January be sure to check out the excellent Morisal exhibit. It is outstanding with free tours in English on Wednesday and Saturday. The main collection is a mixed bag with some first rate piece and a good many second tier works. The Canadian wing was a major disappointment. The pieces were mostly mediocre.
Written October 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MomRocco
Chicago, IL540 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
Very disappointing visit as more than half of museum buildings/galleries were off view/closed and what remained was disjointed and poorly curated. It felt like whoever was in charge felt it was good enough to give a disclaimer saying that things were a mess, make what you would of the exhibit, and move along. The entry price was not insignificant and we had to use Uber both ways to visit, so it was not inexpensive. I am an admirer of the Group of Seven painters and the museum was supposed to have a fine collection, which it did not. I think there may have been 5 or 6 paintings, but certainly not the best or a good representation. Until this museum has more of its works on view, I would definitely not recommend spending your time and money here.
Written September 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mirella B
7 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
Exploring the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts was a highlight of my trip. The museum’s extensive collection is a testament to art’s diversity and beauty. From classical masterpieces to contemporary works, there was something to captivate every art lover. The museum’s layout is easy to navigate, and the staff was helpful in providing insights into the exhibits. The temporary exhibitions added an extra layer of excitement to my visit. The sculpture garden was a serene oasis in the heart of the city. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a casual visitor, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts offers a captivating cultural experience.
Written September 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

E450KCad
16 contributions
Mar. 2023 • Solo
Spent a few hours as a first-time visitor- there was a lot to see. Arrived shortly after opening and was able to explore most of the museum without the crowds. Worth the visit.
Written September 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

john k
Ladner, Canada14 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
I'm not a big art lover so I found it a little boring. No thrills and chills here.
Definitely not the highlight of my trip. If you like art you'll probably like it
Written August 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stirling B
Ottawa, Canada619 contributions
Jul. 2023
The Fine Arts Museum of Montreal is a large complex that houses art from around the world and from many eras too. From Chinese to European, Egyptian as well as an Exhibit from Colombia. The collections on display are extensive and you will naturally also fin Canadian art( Group of 7) amongst others. The Museum comprises 5 buildings but several of them were not open which is a good excuse for a return visit.
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PavlaPavla
Chrudim, Czech Republic6,539 contributions
Jul. 2023
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is housed in two buildings connected by an underground corridor. In the first one, you can see old art and art from all over the world. In the second building, the works of contemporary artists and Inuit and Native American art were exhibited.

Objects from ancient China, Japan, Egypt, Greece or the African continent were absolutely amazing. At the time of my visit, there was a temporary exhibition of artifacts from ancient Colombia. The exhibition was fascinating. Museums from Houston, Los Angeles, and Bogotá borrowed objects for it, and there were also things from private collections.

In the another section you could admire the paintings of such greats as Rembrandt, Auguste Renoir, Claude Manet, Pablo Picasso, The Group of Seven and many others. The collection of paintings here is truly gorgeous.

There was also a fairly large shop in the museum where, in addition to souvenirs, you can also buy a lot of beautiful books about art.
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

William Kim
London, Canada99 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a must-see when in Montreal. The complex is so massive, you may want to plan on spending an entire day here, or even come back here on multiple occasions. Seriously! I somehow managed to visit and see the entire museum in one visit that took several hours, but it felt quite overwhelming at times (but this is on me). There are many buildings here that feature many different topics of art, from paintings to contemporary art to many different kinds of exhibits from around the world. You'll find it all here! It seems that this museum is the oldest in Canada, and I can see why. But as massive as the place was, it definitely was not overwhelming. The layout of the building is so good in the sense that it never feels that way. It's easy for one to spend quite a few hours in here, and not even realize how much time has already passed.

ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE: People under the age of 20 are eligible for free admission. Take advantage of that!!

I definitely recommend this museum for those who are visiting Montreal - it is a must-see, and one will quickly realize as to why Montreal is considered one of the cultural capitals of the world.
Written July 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brendan S
Arlington, VA1,576 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Solo
Musee Des Beaux Arts is deceptive - you enter into the 19th and 20th century art galleries with a few but high quality crowd-pleasing impressionist and Picassos and it seems like this is a medium size art museum. But soon you peel back the layers and realize how much there is here. Multiple galleries of art from East and South Asia. An impressive antiquities collection is almost hidden. There is authentic Napoleon memorabilia including his hat. I visited on a day when the permanent collection was free, but was glad I paid the C$24 to see an impressive special exhibit of pre-Columbian items. A separate building accessible via a tunnel includes 5 floors of Canadian art from indigenous works through contemporary that I regrettably only had time to glance at. The museum does engage in the annoying self-flagellation practice of modern cultural institutions with “land use acknowledgements” (are you going to give it back to he indigenous people or pay them for it? If not, why mention it?) and apologies for focusing on Western art before they got woke and started paying attention to women and minority artists. But the overall quality of the art and the museum design itself are excellent.
Written July 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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