The museum is built over the remains of the 1642 founding site of Ville-Marie.
The underground circuit includes a walk through an actual 1832 collector sewer system.
It houses the remains of the first Catholic cemetery of Montreal, discovered during excavations.
The museum incorporates the historic 1836 Old Customs House as part of its structure.
A 19th-century maritime terminal serves as the main entrance to the underground archaeological site.
Excavations at this location have yielded over several million artifacts related to colonial and indigenous history.
The Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, also known as Pointe-à-Callière, is built directly atop the birthplace of Montreal, featuring preserved archaeological ruins in situ. The site showcases the original 17th-century fortification walls and the remains of the city's first cemetery. A subterranean level connects multiple historic buildings, including the Old Customs House, via underground passages. The museum's foundation sits on a point of land where the St. Lawrence River meets the Little St. Pierre River. Visitors walk through a multimedia-enhanced exhibition that chronicles the history of the site from indigenous occupation to the colonial era. It incorporates the ruins of the first collector sewer in North America. The complex serves as the official archaeological site of Montreal.
The reflection of the modern glass architecture against the historic Old Customs House facade at the museum entrance.
Start your tour with the multimedia show in the underground room for essential historical context.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the subterranean levels include original stone pathways and uneven floor surfaces.
Allow extra time to explore the observation tower for a panoramic view of the Old Port.
Do not rush through the archaeological ruins; the layers of history are best understood by reading the signage in the lower levels.
Closed on Mondays.
