Every trip to Montreal is considered complete with exploring the extraordinary underground city, called RESO Montreal Canada. It’s like a secret city under the streets, where you can walk, shop, eat, and stay warm in winter or cool in summer. This underground world is big, with long tunnels that connect shops, hotels, train stations, and cafes. It started long ago with just a few tunnels, built so people could escape the cold. But over the years, it grew into a huge space that thousands use daily.
In the Underground City, you’ll find almost everything you need, stores, cinemas, places to eat, and even art on the walls plus a library, what!. For Montreal locals, it’s a part of daily life. For visitors, it’s like finding a hidden part of the city that many people don’t know about. So, if you’re visiting Montreal, don’t miss out on this special place. It’s a warm, lively part of the city, ready for you to explore.
About Montreal City, Canada
Montreal, Quebec’s largest city and Canada’s second-largest, is located on Montreal Island and surrounded by smaller islands like Île Bizard. Originally founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie or “City of Mary,” the city was later renamed after Mount Royal, the triple-peaked hill that remains its iconic landmark. Known for its mix of French and English cultures, Montreal has a bilingual population.
French is the official language, spoken by nearly 86% of Montreal’s residents, with many also fluent in English. While once the business centre of Canada, Montreal has grown into a global city, celebrated for its contributions to arts, culture, education, and innovation. The city has hosted major events like the 1967 Expo and the 1976 Summer Olympics. Montreal is also famous for festivals, including the Montreal Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs. This is also home to the Montreal Canadians, who hold an impressive record of 24 Stanley Cup wins.
History of Montreal’s Underground City
Montreal’s Underground City, now known as RESO (from the French word “réseau,” meaning “network”), began in the early 1960s as a small series of underground passageways designed to connect key parts of downtown and offer shelter from the city’s harsh winters. The first sections opened in 1962 beneath Place Ville-Marie, one of Montreal’s major commercial centres. Over time, new tunnels were added, linking additional buildings, metro stations, and attractions, making the underground network a key part of daily life in Montreal.
As the network expanded, more shopping centres, exhibition spaces, and landmarks were connected, including Central Station, Place Bonaventure, and the Eaton Centre. Today, RESO stretches over 32 kilometers and includes numerous complexes, shops, and cultural sites. It’s a convenient way to travel downtown and a unique attraction in itself, drawing thousands of visitors daily. Montreal’s Underground City has grown from a practical idea into a major cultural and commercial hub, making it a standout feature of the city.
Interesting Facts about Montreal’s Underground City
Some interesting facts about Montreal’s Underground City, also called RESO:
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- It’s Huge: Montreal’s Underground City consists of 32 kilometers (about 20 miles) of tunnels. This network covers about twelve square kilometers in downtown Montreal, connecting many important places and buildings.
- Lots of Space: RESO Montreal Canada includes about 3.6 million square meters of floor space. It contains 60 residential and commercial complexes, holding 80% of downtown office spaces and 35% of the area’s commercial spaces.
- Everything You Need: Inside, you’ll find hotels, shopping malls, banks, museums, universities, and office buildings. RESO Montreal Canada also connects to seven metro stations, two commuter train stations, and even the Bell Centre hockey arena. There are several activities in montreal that you can do and participate in.
- Busy with People: Nearly 500,000 people use the Underground City every day. It’s especially popular in winter when Montreal’s temperatures drop, giving locals and visitors a warm place to go.
- Easy Access: The Underground City has over 120 entrances, allowing easy access from different points across downtown Montreal.
- Renamed in 2004: The network was officially named RESO (meaning “network”) in 2004, which helped unify the connected spaces and give the Underground City its own identity.
- More Than Just Underground: While it’s called the Underground City, some sections are actually at ground level or even elevated. This makes it more of an “indoor city” than fully underground.
Fun Things to Do in Montreal Canada
Montreal is full of fun activities for everyone. Here are some of the top things to do in Montreal Canada:
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- Explore Old Montreal: Old Montreal is like stepping back in time. You’ll find cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and landmarks like the Notre-Dame Basilica, with its beautiful stained glass. It’s a great place to walk around, shop in little boutiques, or grab a coffee at a charming café.
- Visit the Underground City (RESO): RESO Montreal Canada is a massive network of tunnels with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and more. It’s perfect for exploring, especially in winter, when you can escape the cold and enjoy the city.
- Enjoy Mount Royal Park: Mount Royal is a big green space in the city where you can walk, hike, or picnic. Climb to the top, and you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view of Montreal from the lookout. In winter, you can even go ice skating or snowshoeing here.
- Check Out the Festivals: Montreal is famous for its festivals. In the summer, there’s the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the largest jazz festival in the world. For comedy lovers, there’s the Just for Laughs festival. No matter the season, there’s usually something happening.
- Try Local Food: Montreal has amazing food. Try some poutine (fries topped with cheese curds and gravy), smoked meat sandwiches, and, of course, Montreal-style bagels, which are boiled in honey-sweetened water and baked in wood-fired ovens.
- Walk Along the St. Lawrence River: The Old Port area along the St. Lawrence River has beautiful views and activities like boat rides, kayaking, or simply walking along the waterfront. In summer, you can ride the Ferris wheel for a bird’s-eye view of the city.
- Visit Museums: Montreal has excellent museums. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art showcase wonderful art collections. There’s also the Pointe-à-Callière Museum, where you can learn about the city’s history.
- Watch a Hockey Game: Hockey is huge in Montreal. If you’re visiting during hockey season, try to catch a game of the Montreal Canadians at the Bell Centre. The energy from the crowd is exciting, and it’s a big part of the local culture.
- Go Shopping: Montreal is great for shopping. From trendy shops on Sainte-Catherine Street to unique finds in the Underground City, you’ll find everything from local brands to well-known international stores.
- Take a Day Trip: If you have extra time, consider a day trip. You can visit places like Mont-Tremblant to ski in winter or take beautiful hikes in summer. Or take a trip to Quebec City for more history and stunning views.
How to Enter Montreal’s Underground City?
Entering Montreal’s Underground City, or RESO, is easy, thanks to its many access points throughout downtown. You can enter through over 120 entrances, with some of the most popular located at major metro stations like McGill, Peel, and Bonaventure. Many shopping centres, office buildings, hotels, and even some street-level entrances connect directly to the Underground City, making getting in from almost anywhere in the area convenient.
If you’re already near a metro station or a big mall like the Eaton Centre or Place Ville-Marie, you’ll find clear signs guiding you down into RESO. Once inside, you can explore a network of tunnels filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions, all protected from the outside weather.
Shopping in Montreal‘s Underground City
Shopping in RESO Montreal Canada is an affair that one should experience. It’s like a giant mall spread out beneath the city streets, connecting different shopping centres and filled with all kinds of stores. Inside, you’ll find well-known shopping malls like,
The Eaton Centre
The Eaton Centre is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Montreal’s Underground City. Located in the heart of downtown, this multi-level mall has over 100 stores and restaurants. Here, you’ll find a mix of well-known brands like Gap, Aldo, H&M, and Zara. The Eaton Centre is known for its lively atmosphere, with fashion stores, beauty shops, electronics, and lifestyle brands catering to a variety of tastes. Soon, it will also be home to the TimeOut Market, a food hall showcasing some of Montreal’s best local cuisine, bringing a fresh and exciting dining experience into the mall.
Cours Mont-Royal
Originally a luxury hotel, Cours Mont-Royal is now an upscale shopping centre, known for its elegant design and high-end stores. This shopping destination attracts those looking for luxury and speciality items. You’ll find stores like DKNY, Michael Kors, and Hugo Boss, offering a more refined shopping experience.
Complexe Les Ailes
Complexe Les Ailes is known for its open, airy design and a good mix of shops, restaurants, and cafes. It’s a smaller shopping complex with a wide range of options, including Guess, Mexx, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Place Montreal Trust
Place Montreal Trust is another popular mall connected to the Underground City. Known for its glass ceiling and large indoor fountain. Stores here include big names like Old Navy, The Gap, and La Senza, as well as speciality shops. Place Montreal Trust also has a well-designed food court with plenty of options, making it a convenient lunch or coffee break stop. The open design allows natural light in, giving it a bright and welcoming feel even though you’re underground.
Place Ville-Marie
Place Ville-Marie is one of Montreal’s most iconic buildings, with a bustling shopping centre on its lower levels. This complex is also home to several dining options, including cafes and restaurants, where you can enjoy a meal or a coffee in a relaxed setting. For a breathtaking view, you can head up to the Observatoire Place Ville-Marie on the top floor, which offers a 360-degree view of the city.
How Montreal’s RESO Compares to Toronto’s PATH
Toronto’s PATH and RESO Montreal Canada are both impressive underground networks, but they differ in purpose and layout. Toronto’s PATH spans 30 kilometers (19 miles) and holds the Guinness World Record as the largest underground shopping complex. This is due to its dense design, which connects over 1,200 businesses, including shops, offices, hotels, and entertainment venues. The PATH is focused on efficiency, primarily serving as a convenient passage for office workers in the financial district, especially during extreme weather. While slightly longer at 32 kilometers (20 miles), RESO Montreal Canada covers a broader area of 12 square kilometers and offers a more diverse experience. It connects shopping malls, metro stations, cultural attractions, restaurants, and even art installations, making it more of a “city within a city.” Unlike the PATH, RESO integrates leisure and culture with practicality.
While the PATH is denser and designed primarily for business and commerce, RESO is larger in scope. Both are extraordinary examples of urban planning, with the PATH excelling in commercial density and efficiency, and RESO standing out as a multi-use hub that combines convenience, and connectivity.
Wrap-Up
Montreal’s Underground City, or RESO, is a remarkable part of the city’s identity. It showcases Montreal’s innovative spirit. Beyond the Underground City, Montreal as a whole is a destination like no other. If you’re planning a trip to this lively metropolis, don’t miss the chance to explore the hidden world beneath its streets. A true city within a city, waiting to be uncovered. Montreal’s RESO is a testament to the city’s creativity and adaptability, offering warmth, excitement, and convenience in one of Canada’s most beloved destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Montreal’s Underground City, known as RESO, is an incredible place to visit. It’s a vast network of tunnels filled with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, making it perfect for exploring, shopping, or simply escaping the weather.
Montreal stands out for its rich history, a mix of French and English cultures, and world-famous festivals like the Montreal Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs. The city’s food scene, beautiful architecture, and landmarks such as Mount Royal and Old Montreal add to its charm.
Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada, located on Montreal Island and surrounded by smaller islands. The city’s official language is French, but most people also speak English. It’s home to the Canadians, the hockey team with the most Stanley Cup wins, and it has hosted major events like the 1976 Summer Olympics and the 1967 International Expo. Montreal also boasts a 32-kilometer Underground City that connects malls, metro stations, and cultural hubs.
Montreal is generally more affordable than Toronto. Housing, dining, and daily expenses are typically less expensive in Montreal, making it a great choice for visitors looking for an exciting yet budget-friendly destination. Is Montreal’s Underground City worth exploring?
What makes Montreal stand out as a city?
Can you share a few fun facts about Montreal?
Is Montreal more budget-friendly than Toronto?
