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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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Ville-Marie
How to get there
  • Peel • 5 min walk
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See what other travellers are saying
  • Ransol
    Montreal, Canada54 contributions
    Very interesting
    I had been there with my children between the age of 9 and 15, it was free entrance during Christmas vacation. it was quite interesting place , the staff was very friendly and helpful. There was a place where you can put your jackets in till you finish. We started from the fourth floor where there are antiques from different civilizations then we went down to the first floor for the paintings and that was the magnificent part of the museum, we enjoyed the most, then we went to the Egyptian mummies place ( you to pay 30$ for an adult to accompany children under 18), it is small department but well organized. The children loved the experience.
    Visited December 2019
    Travelled with family
    Written February 3, 2020
  • Christina R
    16 contributions
    Great overview of Quebec Art
    If you don't have the time (or energy) to explore the whole thing, would recommend starting with the Quebec/Canada pavilion. Although they do have a collection of international art, the Canadian art is where this museum really shines. The contemporary art and design collections, particularly the section on glass in all forms, is also very good.
    Visited January 2020
    Written January 21, 2020
  • Dutch Brother
    Boston, Massachusetts561 contributions
    one of the best art museums in Canada
    I gave the MMFA a five star review when I last visited, but this time I had enough time to see the entire museum (that was open) as well as the gift shop, so I am in a better position to review it. It still deserves five stars, but just barely. For such a large museum (five buildings), the collection is not as impressive as the size would indicate. For example, it does not come anywhere close to the Boston MFA or the Washington National Gallery of Art, both of which I have lived near and seen dozens of times. But by Canadian standards, it is a five star art museum (I'm both Canadian and US, so I'm not trying to favor one country's museums, but be objective and helpful to readers of my reviews). The building with the Canadian collection does a nice job of providing an overview of Canadian painting. The collection of Inuit and Native American art is also a good overview, but after having seen the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, it looks like a sideshow. Nonetheless, I was still happy to see what I did. I'm mainly interested in European and North American painting from 1500-1900, and the museum has a good collection, but concentrated in a few areas. There are two rooms of 17th century Dutch and Flemish painting, about 30 paintings. There is a very good Rembrandt portrait from 1668 and Jacob Ruisdael's "Bleaching Fields of Haarlem", two standout paintings. It's a fine collection, a highlight in my opinion. There is an enchanting small enclosed space with curiosities which is delightful, a mixture of paintings and small craft objects. There is a floor with an exhibit devoted to Napoleon. Given that France had lost most of its Canadian territory by this point, I'm not sure why the MMFA would have this exhibit, but it was interesting. There is also an extensive collection of early Renaissance religious paintings that is quite good. The gift shop is good sized and has quite a few books. The staff were helpful in finding me a book at a very good price. My wife and daughter both bought scarves, so the shop has a lot to offer. The museum is not inexpensive ($24 Canadian), but worth it if you have the time to explore the entire museum. It is also free to everyone 20 and under, so family friendly prices. I noticed a lot of teenagers while I was there, and that might be why. The museum was not crowded, even on a Sunday, but it was winter and cold outside, so that might be why. Unfortunately, the decorative arts part of the museum was closed, so you might want to call ahead to make sure the parts you want to see are open.
    Visited March 2022
    Written March 16, 2022
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.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
4,566 reviews
Excellent
2,937
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270
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57
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MomRocco
Chicago, IL539 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
6 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.

A D
10 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, Canada13 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 Republic6,529 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, VA1,554 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.

md1mm
Sheffield, UK1,566 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Solo
I enjoyed my visit. $24 was good value for adult entry. Wide ranging art. Probably not as extensive as the big art museums round the world but it is still worth visiting. Currently there is a special exhibition on archaeological objects and art objects from Columbia which makes a visit worthwhile for this alone. The restaurant is closed but the cafe is open.
Written June 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.

kathnelson
Haverford, PA8 contributions
Jun. 2023
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.
Written June 18, 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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MUSÉE DES BEAUX-ARTS DE MONTRÉAL - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal

Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal is open:
  • Tue - Tue 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Wed - Wed 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  • Thu - Sun 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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