Observatoire Place Ville Marie boasts the best view of Montreal

The new Observatoire Place Ville Marie observation deck brags that it offers the best view of Montreal, bar none. Walking around the 46th floor, 188 metres up, with its 360° glass, it’s hard to deny the assertion. Even on overcast days, the view is impressive. From the Sommet you can see virtually every Montreal icon, from Stade Olympique to the Mount Royal Cross. Informative displays, curated by Heritage Montreal, highlight notable landmarks in the city’s skyline.

Go down one flight of stairs to the 45th floor and you reach the #MTLGO interactive exhibit, also included in the price of admission. The exhibit aims to again showcase the city, from a different perspective. #MTLGO is divided into eleven themes, including gastronomy, sports, and music. Five video portraits making up each theme, and visitors are encouraged to use the RFID bracelets that they receive with their ticket to scan topics and locations that interest them. After watching a video about a Montreal topic, the topic can be saved by tapping the bracelet on the sensor, “liking” it. When the visitor is done with the exhibit, they tap their bracelet once more at an interactive station that sends further information via text or email about how to experience their chosen “missions,” as they’re described. It’s a complete exhibit, highlighting so many of the facets that Montrealers love about their city. The bracelet scanning process is efficient and intuitive, if a tad gimmicky.

Finally there’s the 44th floor, which houses the fourth and newest location of les Enfants Terribles Brasserie, described as “the most elevated dining destination in Montreal”. The menu is the same as the Montreal institution’s other locations, but the setting very different. Les Enfants Terribles have a dedicated elevator that goes straight to the restaurant in only 30 seconds, and again, the view is breathtaking. Diners can take advantage of the wraparound windows, or eating in open air on the terrasse, which is open year-round. Reservations are necessary, but tickets to the observation deck and the #MTLGO exhibit aren’t required.

You can purchase tickets online, or at the lobby level of Place Ville Marie in the Made in Montreal Café + Boutique, which exclusively features items made in Montreal. Au Sommet Place Ville Marie aims to become the new destination for tourists and locals alike who want to see Montreal with a new perspective. It’s worth it for the view alone. ■

See ticket information and a schedule on the Observatoire Place Ville Marie website.

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