More than 1,000 pieces of public art by nearly 500 local and international artists are spread across Montreal. While sculptures are prominent among the city’s public artworks, murals play a vital role in defining Montreal’s creative landscape. Today the city stands alongside international mural hubs such as Paris, Buenos Aires and Berlin, recognized for their striking street art and large-scale outdoor murals.
© A La Loupe.inc
The Plateau neighborhood is a must-see for mural lovers: between Laurier and Mont-Royal the streets are alive with colorful works that transform building facades into outdoor galleries. Verdun also hosts notable public art installations, particularly in the area between the Lasalle and Verdun metro stations. In Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Promenade Ontario combines pleasant shops, cafés and bistros with a rich collection of murals by many local artists.
© Tourisme Montreal – Marie Deschene
Guided mural tours are available from several local operators. Tours run on foot or by bicycle and typically focus on Boulevard Saint-Laurent while including detours to hidden streets and alleyways that showcase lesser-known works. Montreal was a pioneer in Canada for incorporating wall murals into public art in the 1970s, and the city’s mural movement has grown steadily since then.
© BIXI Montreal
Each year the city celebrates this creative energy with festivals. The 10th MURAL Festival runs June 9–19, turning Saint-Laurent Boulevard into an open-air museum where local and international muralists create and display large-scale works, attracting residents and visitors alike.