Whenever I visit Old Montreal, there’s one building that always catches my eye: the Bonsecours Market (Marché Bonsecours). It took me a few trips to Montreal before I finally stepped inside this historical landmark. And even with its touristy vibes, I still think that this 19th-century marketplace is well worth a gander for first-time visitors to Canada’s second-biggest city.
Completed in 1847, the Bonsecours Market has long been a fixture of Montreal city life. This heritage building has filled in as a concert hall, Montreal’s city hall, and, of course, as the city’s main farmers’ market until the 1960s.
Today, Marché Bonsecours is jam-packed with boutiques, art galleries, souvenir shops, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants & bars. Every time I step into the marketplace, I find everything from eye-popping First Nations artwork to unique products from local Quebec artisans. (And, my own favourite reason for visiting, superb local food & drink.)
Don’t miss out on this slice of Canadian heritage on your trip to Montreal. Explore Bonsecours Market to its fullest with my quick & easy tips for what to expect, what’s worth checking out, and what you might want to leave off your list.
Quick overview
Besides the Notre-Dame Basilica, I don’t think any building screams “Old Montreal” more than Bonsecours Market. Designed by British architect William Footner, this distinctive Neoclassical building on Rue Saint-Paul broke ground in 1844. It opened in 1847 and would serve as the city’s main marketplace for more than a century.
Several renovations in the 1850s by Irish-born Montreal architect George Browne added several features to the building. His contributions included a concert hall, a banquet room, municipal government offices, and event spaces.
After its farmers’ market closed in the 1960s, the Marché Bonsecours transformed into an indoor mall with local boutiques, cafes, and terrace restaurants overlooking Rue Saint-Paul and the Old Port of Montreal.
The event rooms are still in use, too. Groups can rent out the historic Ballroom and De la Commune Hall for large events and the smaller Vieux-Montréal Hall and Ville-Marie Hall for smaller events.
Why visit Marché Bonsecours?
First, let me answer the question every first-time visitor to Montreal will ask: Is Bonsecours Market worth visiting?
In my opinion, it’s a very easy “yes, indeed!”
Bonsecours Market is located on Rue Saint-Paul, once the city’s main street. Today, Rue Saint-Paul is the centre of Old Montreal’s tourism scene, loaded with souvenir shops, restaurants, brasseries, and cafes.
No matter how you slice it, your first Old Montreal walking tour will spend a lot of time wandering up and down this famous road. So, in my opinion, Bonsecours Market is an easy addition to any itinerary.
Not only is its location super central, but Marché Bonsecours is also free to enter. That alone should give it an easy thumbs-up to check it out.
Even when the market is closed, I think heading here is well worth the effort. This National Historic Site is one of the most distinctive buildings in Montreal. The exterior features a striking Neoclassical design, characterized by its imposing dome and six Doric columns. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed making the short trek down Rue Saint-Paul to check it out!
PRO TIP: While I love admiring the Bonsecours Market at any time of the day, I think it’s at its finest after dark. I suggest visiting during the “golden hour” before sunset to capture the building under a warm evening glow. Stick around as dusk sets in to see the dome lit up in varying colours. It’s a fantastic way to round out a day of sightseeing in Montreal.
What’s inside
So, we’ve made it here. Now, it’s time to see what awaits us inside…
Marché Bonsecours was most well-known in its history as Montreal’s main agricultural market. Today, the story’s a bit different.
On my late-spring 2025 trip to Montreal, I visited the Bonsecours Market to see what’s changed. Just as on my previous visits, I loved wandering through the halls here in search of unique local finds.
As I popped into several of the 15 boutiques here, I spotted a variety of interesting products for sale. Among the highlights were First Nations artwork & handcrafted artifacts, local wines & spirits, and made-in-Quebec food products like hot sauces, chocolate bars, and, of course, plenty of maple syrup. (Hey, we’re in Canada after all!)
While exploring the boutiques and souvenir shops, I also stumbled upon a few excellent eating & drinking options in the Bonsecours Market.
Café des Arts / Galerie MAM
Need a pick-me-up? Grab a double espresso or latte at the Café des Arts / Galerie MAM. Aside from their strong dark roasts, I enjoyed the quirky, artistic vibes at this small café/art gallery, located at the northern end of the Marché Bonsecours.
PRO TIP: Find some art that caught your eye while sipping coffee at the Café des Arts? I noticed on my last visit that many of the interesting art pieces on the walls here are available to purchase. Grab one to take home a unique local souvenir while supporting local artists!
La Cave à Manger
For a petite snack, head instead to La Cave à Manger Boulangerie Vieux-Montréal. This bakery serves up some of the tastiest croissants and eclairs around Old Montreal.
Not sure what to get? On my most recent visit to Montreal, I fell in love with pistachio croissants, and this place has got some of the tastiest in the city. (Actually, all their croissants get rave reviews from locals.)
La Cave à Manger also gets high praise for their jambon-beurre sandwich and “hangover cure,” featuring a croissant stuffed with cheese, bacon, chives, and a yolky egg. (Yep, I’m sold!)
L’Annexe BreWskey
During my late-spring 2025 trip to Montreal, I absolutely loved sipping on local craft beer at L’Annexe BreWskey. As I was visiting on a rainy day, I headed straight upstairs to the brewery to dry off and enjoy some hoppy libations.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover a wide variety of beers on tap at L’Annexe BreWskey, including IPAs, ales, lagers, and porters. I settled on the NZ Mark IPA, but several others piqued my interest, too, like Haze of the North, Crispyology, and Lager Fumée.
(NOTE: The taps here rotate, so the beer selection varies from week to week.)
Although I didn’t get a chance to try it, the food menu here looks epic as well. The brewery smokes its own meat on-site. And they liberally pile it onto classic Canadian pub grub like pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ ribs, and, as in any self-respecting Quebec brasserie, poutine.
BreWskey Taproom
While I loved the industrial vibes at L’Annexe, the BreWskey Taproom next door is another fantastic choice for a Bonsecours Market food & drink adventure. There’s more of a rustic-chic vibe here, with exposed-brick walls, European-style lamps, and elegant wood & metal tables.
The outdoor terrace at the BreWskey is the perfect spot to top off a day of exploring fun activities at the Old Port of Montreal. Grab one of BreWskey’s popular local brews and enjoy the fresh air with a front-and-centre view of the Old Port tourist action.
Practical info for visitors
- Address: 350 Rue Saint-Paul E
- Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday to Wednesday; 10 am to 9 pm, Thursday to Saturday
- Admission: Free (except during special events)
- Public Transportation: Champ-de-Mars Metro (Orange Line)
PRO TIP: I would recommend traveling to Marché Bonsecours via public transportation and on foot. In my experience, the parking rates in & around Old Montreal are an absolute rip-off. The market is a short and pleasant 10-minute walk from the Champ-de-Mars Metro Station (Orange Line) via Le Champ-de-Mars, Vauquelin Place, and Place Jacques Cartier.
