Place des Arts

A complex for live performance

Place des Arts has presented performances since 1963. The complex brings several venues together in downtown Montréal, between Sainte-Catherine and de Maisonneuve streets. Its programme spans orchestral music, opera, ballet, theatre, dance, comedy and touring productions. The halls have different scales and uses, so check the event and venue when choosing a ticket.

The complex is home to the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and the Opéra de Montréal. Its performance spaces also host other companies and events. That range makes Place des Arts a useful starting point for finding a live show in the city, whether you are looking for a symphony concert or a large production.

Choosing a hall and seat

The Maison Symphonique is the permanent home of the Montréal Symphony Orchestra. Its glass-walled concert hall seats about 2,000 and is known for its acoustics. The distance from the stage to the last row is relatively short, keeping the room’s scale close for a large concert venue.

Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier is the complex’s large performance hall, with just under 3,000 seats. It hosts productions including opera and ballet, as well as other large events. Théâtre Maisonneuve presents dance and other performances in a setting described as a modern take on a classical Italian theatre. The smaller Cinquième Salle has around 400 seats and hosts dance and other shows.

Seat location can affect both the view and how comfortable the visit feels. Parterre and mezzanine seats are suggested for clear stage views; some upper balcony seats require climbing several flights of stairs. For a specific production, check the seating plan before booking, as the stage setup and sightlines can differ.

The square and festival district

Place des Arts is part of the Quartier des Spectacles, where the surrounding streets and square host festivals, outdoor stages and artistic installations. In summer, the Montréal International Jazz Festival brings live music and outdoor stages to the district. Seasonal events also change the feel of the pedestrian areas, so a walk around the complex can be worthwhile even when you do not have a ticket.

The esplanade includes public artworks, including Shelter, a 2012 bronze reproduction of the entrance to an underground shelter in Tel Aviv. The work was made using rubber moulds to reproduce details of the original space. The nearby Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is also part of the cultural complex; check what is on there if you plan to add an exhibition to your visit.

For a performance, arrive with enough time to find your hall and seat. Bars sell drinks and small snacks in the venue, and restaurants are nearby for a meal before or after the show. During larger festivals and seasonal events, expect more people in the surrounding streets.