Place Jacques-Cartier

Place Jacques-Cartier is the social and cultural heart of Old Montreal, and visiting it with kids is one of those quintessential Montreal family experiences that costs nothing but delivers lasting memories. This wide, gently sloping cobblestone square connects Rue Notre-Dame at the top to Rue de la Commune and the Old Port at the bottom, creating a natural pathway through the most historic part of the city.

In summer, when the square goes car-free, it transforms into an outdoor performance venue, art gallery, and dining destination all in one. Street performers set up throughout the square — you will encounter musicians playing everything from jazz to folk, magicians performing close-up tricks, acrobats drawing circles of spectators, and living statues that freeze in place until a delighted child drops a coin. For kids, rounding each corner reveals a new surprise.

Portrait artists line one side of the square, offering to sketch visitors in charcoal, watercolor, or caricature. Having a child's portrait drawn is a unique souvenir that costs $20-40 CAD and takes about 15-20 minutes — just long enough for the family to enjoy an ice cream cone from a nearby vendor.

The architecture surrounding the square is stunning. Centuries-old stone buildings house restaurants with flower-draped terraces, art galleries, and shops. The Nelson Monument (erected in 1809, older than Nelson's Column in London) stands at the top of the square. Horse-drawn carriages occasionally pass through, adding to the old-world atmosphere.

For families, the practical beauty of Place Jacques-Cartier is its location. It sits at the intersection of everything in Old Montreal. Walk downhill and you are at the Old Port — La Grande Roue, the Science Centre, and the waterfront promenade are all right there.

Walk uphill and you reach Notre-Dame Basilica, City Hall, and the residential streets of Old Montreal. Walk east or west on Rue Saint-Paul and you discover boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.

Terrace dining on the square itself is atmospheric but comes at a premium. Families looking for better value should walk one block to the side streets, where restaurants offer the same Old Montreal charm at lower prices. Jardin Nelson, just east of the square on Rue Saint-Paul, has a lovely terrace with live jazz that works for families.

Place Jacques-Cartier works at any time of day but is most magical on a summer evening when the light is golden, the performers are in full swing, and the terraces are buzzing. Even a quick 30-minute stroll through the square is worthwhile.