Learn about Mount Royal

• Homepage
• The interactive map of Mount Royal
• Short History of Mount Royal
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover

About Us

• Mission
• History
• Goals and Accomplishments
• Governors and Partners
• Annual Reports
• Employment Opportunities
• Contact us

Activities and Services

• Services at Smith House
• Outdoor Activities
• School Groups
• General Public
• Corporate Groups and Associations
• Conservation Activities
• Calendar of Events

News and Events

• Monthly Public Forum
• May: Mount Royal Month
• Tuques Bleues Celebration
• Media Centre

Take Action

• Make a Donation
• Become a Friend
• Become a Volunteer
• Become a Partner
• Organize a Fundraising Event
• Electronic Newsletter
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. A few words about Mount Royal's geology

   1. Is the mountain a volcano?

      The answer is a definitive no - Mount Royal is not a volcano, dormant or otherwise! 

      Over 125 million years ago, magma from the deepest recesses of the earth charted a course towards the surface, but never actually pierced through the earth or erupted. Held captive for millions of years, this magma protrusion hardened and was transformed into an immense rock mass that resisted erosion. And thus, Mount Royal was formed. The same phenomenon is responsible for the formation of mounts Oka, St. Bruno, St. Hilaire, Rougemont and others, otherwise known as the Monteregian Hills. Mount Royal is the highest of the Monteregians, at 233 metres above sea-level.
       
      Les amis de la montagne organizes guided walking tours featuring the geology of Mount Royal in the summer and invites you to watch/listen to the podcast on the geology of the mountain on our interactive map.
       
      Finally, we invite you to visit the website of geologist Pierre Bédard, Ph.D., for a thorough explanation of how Mount Royal and other Monteregian Hills were formed (available in French).
       
       
2. A few words about the mountain's fauna

   1. The mountain's fauna

      Mount Royal is one of the last oases of nature remaining in the heart of the city. A surprising biological diversity is still present on the site, but the ecosystems are threatened by the pressures of urban development and intensive use. It is important, therefore, to understand the richness and fragility of Mount Royal's natural habitats.

      Animal species on Mount Royal:

      • 182 birds, 113 regularly observed and 69 exceptionally observed
      • 20 mammals
      • 2 reptiles
      • 2 amphibians

      To learn more, pick up the brochure titled, "Checklist of animal species on Mount Royal" published by Les amis de la montagne, available for free at the Smith House nature-boutique.

       

       

       

3. A few words about the mountain's flora

   1. The mountain's flora

      Mount Royal is the heart of Montreal, the city’s most cherished green space and symbol of the movement to conserve and enhance the environment. It houses more than 200,000 trees in the centre of the city and a habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal life: 65 tree species, 600 plant species, 180 bird species and 20 species of mammals.

      Les amis de la montagne took active part in the work of the Table de concertation created in 2005 to update the draft Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan. This work shed light on the richness of the natural environment covering the territory of the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District and the importance in taking action in the short term to ensure its perpetuity.

      In response, Les amis de la montagne decided to establish an Environmental Stewardship Program on Mount Royal to support the property owners and managers in their efforts and to encourage their participation in the conservation of the mountain's natural environment. Click here to learn more about this program.

4. Can I rent a room in Mount Royal Park?

   1. Rental of Smith House

      The Maison Smith is a public building owned by the Ville de Montréal that houses Les amis de la montagne, a registered charitable organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Mont Royal through community involvement and environmental education.  A heritage building constructed in 1858, the house is located in the heart of Mont-Royal Park, halfway between the Lac aux Castors and the Grand Chalet.
      
      On the main floor, you can find our welcome and information service, nature boutique, the Café des Amis and our permanent exhibition entitled Mont Royal: A Territory to Discover.  On the second floor, the house has two freshly renovated rooms available for rent for a variety of activities.  All revenues derived from room rentals are reinvested in activities and conservation projects organized on the mountain by Les amis de la montagne.
      
      ROOMS FOR RENT

      Meeting room

      • Maximum capacity, 20 guests
      • Dimensions: Length: 8,7m (28,7 feet) / Width:  4,1m (13,5 feet) / Height: 3m (10 feet)
      • Included: projection screen, tables (6’ x 30’’ or 183 cm x 76 cm) and chairss
      • The leaseholder must provide the projector and portable computers
      • Adjoining full kitchen with stove, refrigerator and sinks
      • Not included: kitchenware, utensils and tablecloths.
      • Catering: The Café des Amis can provide catering services upon prior arrangement only.

        
      

      Ballroom

      • Maximum capacity, 100 guests
      • Dimensions: Length: 14,8m (41,7 feet) / Width: 5,4m (17,9 feet) / Height: 3m (10 feet)
      • Included: tables (6’ x 30’’ or 183 cm x 76 cm) and chairss
      • Service counter with refrigerator and sink.
      • Audio-visual system available upon request for an additional fee (screen, projector and sound system).  The leaseholder must provide the portable computer.
      • Not included: kitchenware, utensils and tablecloths.

       

      
      Please note that rooms are located on the second floor with adjacent washrooms; there is no elevator.

      For more rate information or to schedule an appointment for a visit between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, please contact our reservations coordinator by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 235 or by email at reservations@lemontroyal.qc.ca.

       

   2. Rental of the Chalet du Mont-Royal

      The chalet can be rented for noteworthy events that help to promote Montréal provincially, nationally or internationally. The planning and execution of the event must take into account the mountain’s status as a place of heritage as well as accessibility to the mountain for residents and tourists.

      The Division des événements publics provides promoters with technical support and logistical coordination. Please fill out the reservation form for the Chalet du Mont-Royal and send it to the Division des événements publics : 801, rue Brennan, Pavillon Prince, 4^e étage, Montréal (Québec) H3C 0G4, tél. 514 872-3911, fax. 514 872-1505, eve_publics@ville.montreal.qc.ca.
5. Getting here

   1. Directions to the mountain

      Mount Royal Park is the largest, yet the most accessible of all of Montreal’s great parks.

      BY FOOT: numerous entry points provide access to Mount Royal Park, namely from Avenue du Parc (at Rue Rachel), from Avenue des Pins (at Rue Peel) and from Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges via the Trafalgar stairs or Chemin Remembrance.

      BY BIKE: Olmsted Road is a picturesque pathway that begins at the monument to George-Étienne-Cartier on Avenue du Parc. Olmsted Road is connected to Montreal's bicycle paths via the Rue Rachel.

      PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: the 11 bus (STM) traverses the mountain from the Mont-Royal metro station and Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges. Several other bus routes also provide access to the mountain:

      • Metro: Place des Arts / bus : 80 or 129 or 435 and 11
      • Metro: Côte-des-Neiges / bus 165 or 435 and 11
      • Metro: Guy-Concordia / bus 165 or 435 and 11

      BY CAR: the Voie Camillien-Houde and Chemin Remembrance are accessible by car:

      • FROM THE EAST: Take the Voie Camillien-Houde from Avenue Mont-Royal and continue past the lookout. The Mount Royal Cemetery will be on your right and you will see two parking lots on your left. Smith House is at the head of the larger lot. The flashing lights point to the detour to get to Smith House (three storey stone house).
      • FROM THE WEST: Take Chemin Remembrance and continue past Beaver Lake. You will come to green signs indicating a large parking lot on your right. Smith House (three storey stone house) is at the head of the parking lot.

       

   2. Map of Mount Royal Park

      Click here to download a map of Mount Royal Park. A printed map of the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District is available at the Smith House welcome centre/boutique for $3 (in person sales only).

   3. The map of cross-country ski trails

      Click on this link to download your copy of the map of cross-country ski trails in Mont-Royal Park.

   4. Where to park

      Stationnement de Montréal is responsible for the pay parking and lots on Mount Royal. Parking regulations are posted on the ticket distributors in each lot.

      Mount Royal Park is open from 6 a.m. to midnight and parking is payable from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking fees are $2.75 per hour or $8 for the day.

      There is one parking lot off the Camillien-Houde lookout. To reach the Kondiaronk lookout, you may park near Smith House and follow Olmsted Road by foot for about 10 minutes.

      You may contact Stationnement de Montréal directly by calling (514) 868-3737 or by email at their customer service address: sac@statdemtl.qc.ca.

       

   5. Where to stay

      A comprehensive and varied range of accommodation is available in the vicinity of Mount Royal Park. You may search for your preferred form of accommodation on the official tourist website of the Government of Québec, BonjourQuébec.com.

6. How can I organize an event in the park?

   1. Organizing events on public property

      All events held on the public domain in Montreal, including Mount Royal Park, must receive prior authorization from the Ville de Montréal.

      For sporting, community, cultural or social development events:
      • Division des événements publics
      • 514 872-3911
      • eve_publics@ville.montreal.qc.ca
      • Document (in French): Présenter une demande pour la tenue d’un événement sur le domaine public
       
      For feature movies, TV movies, TV series, videos and photo shoots:
      • Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision
      • 514 872-2883
      • film.tv@ville.montreal.qc.ca
      • http://www.montrealfilm.com/
       
7. I'd like to know the short history of ...

   1. Smith House

      Few traces remain of the rural and agricultural past of Mount Royal. The Smith house, built in 1858, is one of the rare vestiges of a bygone age, which is why it was so important to preserve this exceptional example of rural architecture.
       
      In the 19th century, industries and residential areas were concentrated along the Saint Lawrence River and the Lachine Canal. The city was overpopulated and polluted. The bourgeoisie began moving to the country, which at the time included Mount Royal.
       
      As the marble plaque above the main entrance attests, merchant Hosea B. Smith had this house built in 1858. André Auclair, a mason, was hired to carry out the work. Arriving from Boston in 1840, Mr. Smith had purchased several parcels of land on the mountain between 1844 and 1855, consolidating a large estate of 186 arpents (65 hectares), one of the biggest on the mountain.
       
      THE MOUNTAIN BECOMES A PARK
      In 1869, the municipal council of Montréal, led by Mayor Aldis Bernard, was authorized to borrow $350,000 from the provincial government to expropriate the 16 private properties on Mount Royal for a public park.
       
      The amount of $1,000,000, an enormous sum in those days, was added to the initial loan to complete the transactions and to carry out the work. The Smith estate received $110,000 for their land, house and outbuildings. It was the most expensive of the 16 properties acquired to form the park.
       
      THE COMMISSIONER’S RESIDENCE
      The acquisition of the house and the farm buildings was an important asset in the management of the future park. The commissioner of Parc du Mont-Royal, William McGibbon, lived in the house for about 30 years. The house lodged the park’s guardians until the 1930s.
       
      A POLICE STATION
      Throughout the 1940s and 50s, the Smith house doubled as a police and first aid station. The outbuildings, which were still standing, were used as stables and a workshop for park maintenance.
       
      In 1960, new service buildings were erected in the park and the barn, stables and cowshed of the Smith house were demolished. In their place, a huge parking lot was built, drastically changing the pastoral character of the area. The police and their horses, as well as the park’s maintenance services, were moved to the new buildings, situated along Remembrance Road.
       
      AN ART CENTRE
      The house remained vacant until the opening of the Mount Royal Art Centre, in 1963. A year later, in 1964, the Art Centre hosted the international sculpture symposium in Montréal, the first symposium of its type in North America. During this event, the artists were lodged and fed at the Smith house. Its artistic vocation lasted almost 20 years.
       
      A HUNTING AND NATURE MUSEUM
      In 1983, the vocation of the house changed again. The Ville de Montréal ceded the residence to the Musée universel de la chasse et de la nature for a ten-year period. The small museum ran into numerous difficulties and closed its doors in 1988.
       
      DEDICATED TO MOUNT ROYAL
      In 1989, Les Amis de la montagne and the Ville de Montréal signed an agreement entrusting the organization with the long-term management of the heritage house. The objective was to make it a centre dedicated to the conservation and promotion of Mount Royal.
       
      It took almost ten years to raise the funds needed for the renovation of the Smith House and to carry out the work.  

      Text: Les amis de la montagne, 1999

   2. The Mount Royal Cross

      Translation in progress - text in available in French by clicking here (section "Raconte-moi la petite histoire de ...).

   3. The Sir George Étienne Cartier Monument

      Translation in progress - text available in French by clicking here.

8. What are the activities organized by Les amis de la montagne?

   1. Activities and services

      Mount Royal is a very special part of Montréal’s heritage. Its landscapes, flora, fauna and history make it an exceptional place to visit. Many services are available to help you explore this natural monument in the city’s centre. Consult the section of our website titled "Activities and Services" and join us on your next visit to the mountain.

       

   2. Become a Friend

      As a charitable non-profit organization, Les amis de la montagne succeeds in its mission thanks to the involvement of citizens dedicated to the cause for Mount Royal. Financial support from individuals, corporations and foundations make possible our activities to protect and enhance Mount Royal. If you wish to make a contribution for the preservation of the mountain, please visit the "Take Action!" section of our website.

   3. The Corvée du Mont-Royal - mountain clean-up

      The Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up is an initiative of Les amis de la montagne, an annual event where the Montreal community is invited to take care of the mountain in a spirit of cooperation and celebration.

      The first edition of the Corvée was organized in spring 1990, which coincided with the public consultations on the Mount Royal Enhancement Plan.

      Over the course of the following decade, the infamous Saint-Jean Baptiste celebrations were held on the mountain. Conditions on the mountain were exacerbated by these significant events and the addition of 3 million visitors to the mountain per year.

      The high-traffic areas of the park were certainly maintained, but the Mount Royal forest was never the object of neither rigorous maintenance nor cleaning. Participants in the early days of the Corvée worked hardest in these otherwise neglected areas of the park.

      During the 5th edition of the event in 1994, participants planted trees for the first time. Other environmental activities were introduced over the years, including the removal of wild parsley and the spreading of wood chips in certain areas affected by soil degradation.

      In 1998, the mountain was particularly affected by the ice storm that hit the region. No less than 80% of the trees were damaged. Nearly 1,000 participants helped to rid the park of fallen branches during the Corvée that year. After a two-year hiatus, during the 11th edition, 450 participants cleaned the park and 500 trees were planted.

      In all, more than 9,000 people have participated in the Corvée du Mont-Royal since 1990.

       

   4. The monthly public forum

      The Mount Royal Forum gives the community, both citizens and organizations, the opportunity to exchange ideas about issues and projects affecting the mountain. Visit the "News and Events" section of our website for more information on the next public forum.

   5. The Tuques Bleues Celebration

      The Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event is Les amis de la montagne’s most original and magical signature fundraising activities on Mount Royal. By participating in the Tuques Bleues Celebration, you help Les amis conserve the inestimable heritage of this emblematic site for our collective quality of life and for Montreal.

      The 12th edition of the Tuques Bleues event will be held Thursday, February 19, 2009. For details and how to register, please visit our website under the heading "News and Events: Tuques Bleues Celebration".

9. What are the by-laws of Mount Royal Park?

   1. Rules of civic conduct and security

      For your security and the protection of natural spaces, the Ville de Montréal reminds you of the following park regulations.

      ACTIVITIES

      • Activities offered are permitted in areas identified as such.
      • Bicycles are permitted exclusively on Olmsted Road and the Serpentine. The Olmsted Road is multifunctional. Pedestrians and cyclists are asked to keep to the right of the road. Cyclists must signal their presence when passing.
      • Dogs must be kept on their leash and their excrement must be disposed of immediately in a garbage can.
      • Garbage must likewise be disposed of in garbage cans.
      • Camping is prohibited.
      • Fires are prohibited.
      • Swimming, including by domestic animals, and fishing are prohibited in Beaver Lake.
      • Sound systems or musical instruments must not disrupt the tranquility of the environment.

      PICNICS

      • Coal burning barbecues are permitted only in areas reserved for picnics where receptacals for ashes can be found. Ashes must be disposed of in receptacles so identified.
      • Propane gas barbecues are permitted only in areas reserved for picnics. Empty propane tanks must not be disposed of in the park.
      • Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed unless accompanied by a meal in the areas reserved for picnics.

      PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

      • Picking or introducing plant species or any activities causing damage to trees is prohibited.
      • Trees may not be used to attach dogs, bicycles or other objects.
      • Off-trail activities are prohibited.
      • Hunting and shooting are prohibited.
      • Feeding animals is prohibited.

       Click on this link for more information on the by-laws governing Mont-Royal Park, one of the large parks that operates under the auspices of the agglomeration council of Montreal, RCG 10-016.

10. What is today's weather forecast?

    1. Daily conditions - winter season

       Visit the Ville de Montreal’s website for up-to-date snow conditions. Trails are maintained by the city from mid-December to mid-March.

    2. The weather forecast

       The weather forecast - what could be more important before preparing for an outdoor excursion? Visit the website of Environment Canada to obtain the latest weather conditions and forecast for the Montreal area

11. What other activities are there in the park (partial list)?

    1. Other activities and services on the mountain

       Sunday Tam-Tam Jam

       The tam-tam jams are held in good weather on Sundays from early May to late September in the vicinity of the monument to Sir George-Étienne Cartier, near Avenue du Parc corner Rue Rachel. The Ville de Montréal is charged with the general maintenance and upkeep of the environment. Police and cadets from Station 20 provide support to uphold the peace and ensure the security of participants.

       The Ville-Marie Borough authorizes the sale of certain items deemed suitable to the event. 54 spaces are reserved for the sale of items by permit, free of charge.
        
       Service du développement culturel, de la qualité du milieu de vie et de la diversité ethnoculturelle
       • General information: 514 872-3911
       • Reservation of a sales space: Thursdays only, between 6 :30 p.m. and 8 :30 p.m. by calling 514 872-7080 (a recorded message is available outside these hours)

        

       Visit to the stables of the SPVM cavalry

       • By appointment: 514 280-2277

        

       Horse-drawn carriage rides

       For group reservations and price information, please contact Mr. Robert Coallier at (450) 655-1205.
        
        
       Folk dancing
       Every Monday and Thursday beginning the first Monday in June, the Association Montréalaise des Arts et des Traditions Populaires (AMATP), in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, provides traditional folk dancing evenings at Beaver Lake in Mount Royal Park. For more information, visit the association’s website.
        
       Walking clubs
       The Fédération Québécoise de la Marche publishes a directory of clubs and organizations affiliated with the federation that provides a portrait of each club: clientele, types of activities and destinations, fees and contact information. The clubs’ calendar of activities is published in the magazine, Marche-Randonnée. For more information, please visit the website of the federation.
        
        
       Other attractions and services on Mount Royal
       • Look-outs: Voie Camillien-Houde (facing eastern Montreal) accessible by car; Kondiaronk (facing the centre of Montreal and the St-Lawrence River) accessible by foot from the Smith House parking lot and along the escarpment pathway.
       • Bird feeder circuit: Olmsted Road from November to April (summit loop).
       • Sculptures from the International Sculpture Symposium held in Montréal in 1964: Smith House.
       • Chalet du Mont-Royal: snack machines, restrooms, telephones; wheelchair accessible.
       • Beaver Lake pavilion: restaurant-bistro, restrooms, telephones; wheelchair accessible.
       • Picnic sites: around Beaver Lake and the Chalet.
       • Children’s playground: Beaver Lake.
       • Cross-country ski trails: almost 20 km of marked and groomed trails.
       • Footpaths: Olmsted Road (6.5 km) and other secondary trails.
       • Bicycle path: Olmsted Road (6.5 km).
       • Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery.
       • Mount Royal Cemetery.
       • Saint Joseph's Oratory. 
       • McGill University.
       • Université de Montréal.
12. What worksites are currently underway in the park?

    1. Work sites in the park

       Important enhancement projects are underway in a variety of areas in the park: the cross, the children's playground, the Rue Peel entrance and soon, the beltway. For more information, visit the Ville de Montréal's website under the heading "Grands parcs - Parc du Mont-Royal".