10 best free museums in Montreal you need to check out

A visit to the Musée de Lachine, or Le Ber-Le Moyne House, is well worth the commute to the suburbs. The oldest complete building in Montreal, it has been recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada since 2002. Aside from the historic architecture itself, you’ll also find an expansive archaeology collection and a sculpture garden known as the Musée plein air de Lachine.

How free is it? Always free.

Possibly one of the most underrated museums in the city, this science-and-more spot owned and operated by McGill University boasts an impressive collection of minerals from Quebec, Egyptian mummies and even a full-size Gorgosaurus libratus dinosaur skeleton. The best part? It’s pay-what-you-can.

How free is it?: Always free (but a $10 donation is suggested for adults).

The Centre de design is worth a visit, not only because it’s always free, but also for the world class design exhibits which range from photography collections to interactive multimedia performances. Keep an eye on their calendar of exhibitions which changes every few months to feature different aspects of architecture, graphic design, the arts and more.

How free is it?: Always free.

This fine arts museum has some of the best visiting collections in Canada, but can run you over $20 per visit for a look at their exhibitions. If you can’t spare the cash, the permanent collection is just as impressive, boasting pieces from the likes of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat to Picasso and Monet, as well as a strong collection of Canadian and Québécois art. Be sure to take a walk around the museum buildings on Sherbrooke Street, which are peppered with outdoor sculptures.

How free is it?: The permanent collection is free on the first Sunday of every month, or for people aged 0-20 at all times.

Technically, the McCord Stewart Museum’s on-paper mission is to celebrate the history and people of Montreal, but in reality, it’s a catchall for all things culture and living well. Depending on the day, visitors can expect to find morning yoga classes, Indigenous music concerts, and even film screenings alongside their permanent collections of paintings, examples of fashion, Indigenous artefacts, furniture, photography—you name it, they likely have it.

How free is it? Free every Wednesday evening (some exhibitions excepted), and the first Sunday of every month for Quebec residents; it’s also always free for members of Indigenous communities.

Temporarily located in Place Ville-Marie, the MAC was founded in 1964. It’s Canada's first museum devoted to contemporary art and boasts handfuls of permanent and visiting modern exhibits and artistic expression, from digital and video installations to more traditional paintings and sculptures.

How free is it?: Free for Quebec residents on the first Sunday of every month. Always free for those aged 0-18 and for people with disabilities.

If architecture is your thing, don’t sleep on the CCA. The international research institution aims to increase public awareness of the role of architecture in contemporary society. Expect a wide range of exhibitions and activities, including photography, blueprints, and more of fascinating proportions. Everything curated here yields an amazing discovery and highly informative exposure to different cultures.

How free is it?: Free every Thursday after 5 pm and on the first Sunday of every month. Always free for students and frontline workers.

The Montreal Holocaust Museum walks visitors through the unfiltered story of the Jewish community during WWII through the stories and artefacts of Montreal survivors. It’s a considerably moving experience that will stick with you for a long time. Note that due to the subject matter, this museum is not suitable for kids under the age of 8.

How free is it?: Free on the first Sunday of every month.

Spend the afternoon appreciating handfuls of mixed media crafts from Inuit and First Nations artists over the past century, including ceramics, sculptures, paintings, and traditional garments. Conveniently located across the street from the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, the small gallery is well worth the visit—plus, it’s always free.

How free is it?: Always free.

The Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum whisks visitors back to the 17th century to when Montreal’s first teacher, and founder of the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Marguerite Bourgeoys lived. The 300-year old chapel includes entrance to a crypt below the city, where visitors can learn the history of the chapel and the development of Montreal’s first settlement.

How free is it?: Admission to the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours is always free, however the greater museum is not.