Parc La Fontaine is the green heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal and the best place to see Montrealers simply enjoying their city. Bordered by Rue Sherbrooke, Avenue Papineau, Rue Rachel and Avenue du Parc-La Fontaine, it is one of the oldest and best-loved urban parks in Montreal, laid out in the late nineteenth century with an English-style section of winding paths and a more formal French-style area. Its centrepiece is a large artificial pond where many bird species can be seen in summer; in winter the pond becomes one of the city's most picturesque outdoor skating rinks, with skate rental available at the chalet. The chalet itself, overlooking the water, houses a restaurant and is the departure point for the park's miniature train, a hit with young children. In summer, the Theatre de Verdure, an outdoor amphitheatre, hosts free concerts, dance performances, theatre and film screenings, and the lawns fill with picnics, sunbathers and groups of friends. There are also playgrounds, bike paths, cross-country skiing in winter and plenty of benches under old trees. Entry is free, and the park is surrounded by the Plateau's famous streets of colourful houses with outdoor staircases, making it an ideal stop on a neighbourhood walk.
Why go: Mount Royal is the city's grand park, but La Fontaine is its living room. On a summer evening, you see Montreal at its most relaxed: families around the pond, friends sharing a bottle of wine over a picnic, and a free show at the Theatre de Verdure. In winter, skating on the pond under the lights is a quintessential Montreal experience, and it costs nothing if you bring your own skates. The park is also a natural break during a walking tour of the Plateau, with Rue Duluth, Rue Rachel and Avenue du Mont-Royal all nearby.
How to visit well: in summer, check the Theatre de Verdure programme and arrive early with a picnic and a blanket; shows are often free and very popular. Walk the paths around the pond and continue along the residential streets east of the park for the classic Plateau staircases. In winter, rent skates at the chalet and skate on the pond when conditions allow; check the city's rink conditions before going. With children, the miniature train and the playgrounds make it an easy half-day outing.
Practicals: the park is about a ten-minute walk from Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal metro stations on the orange line, and several bus routes, including 24 along Sherbrooke, stop nearby. Paid parking is available on site, but street parking in the Plateau is limited. Rue Duluth, with its bring-your-own-wine restaurants, is a short walk west for dinner. The park's main paths make it a pleasant place for a walk after dinner. In autumn, the old trees around the pond turn gold and red, and the paths are quieter than in summer, which makes it one of the best spots in the city for a peaceful stroll and photographs of the Plateau in its fall colours. Dog owners will find many locals walking their pets, and joggers use the loop around the pond year-round.
What to expect
The experience
A large free city park with a pond, a chalet restaurant, an outdoor theatre, playgrounds, a miniature train and winter skating.
Best time
Summer evenings for picnics and free shows; winter for skating on the pond when conditions allow.
How long
One to two hours, longer with a show or skating.
Tips
Bring a picnic for the Theatre de Verdure. Rent skates at the chalet in winter. Walk the Plateau streets nearby. Metro Sherbrooke or Mont-Royal.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want to see local life in the Plateau.
- Families
- Playgrounds, the miniature train and winter skating make it great for kids.
- Couples
- A picnic and free outdoor show on a summer evening, or a skate under the lights in winter.
- Pair with
- The Plateau and Mile End and Mount Royal Park.
- Time needed
- One to two hours.
Good questions
Is Parc La Fontaine free?+
Yes. The park is free and open year-round. Some services, such as skate rental, the restaurant and parking, are paid.
Can I skate there in winter?+
Yes. The pond becomes an outdoor skating rink in winter when conditions allow, and skates can be rented at the heated chalet. Check the city's rink conditions before going.
What is the Theatre de Verdure?+
An outdoor amphitheatre in the park that hosts concerts, dance, theatre and film screenings in summer, many of them free.
Is it good for children?+
Very. There are playgrounds, a miniature train departing from the chalet, open lawns and, in winter, skating on the pond.
How do I get there?+
It is about ten minutes on foot from Sherbrooke or Mont-Royal metro stations on the orange line. Several bus routes stop nearby.
