When you think of Montreal’s thoughts on European charm, cobbled streets and incredible cafes come to my mind. But the artistic scene on rue Montréal is massive. From the outside of these festivals of the world of street art to murals on every street corner, street art inspires a lot to go to Montreal.
To be honest, the artistic scene on rue Montréal was the main reason why I chose to visit. But I was blown away by the quantity of street art across the city. It can be in almost all districts of the city center in Chinatown and Griffintown in Montreal. And at all the corner, in almost all the asères, and covering many buildings.
Street art festivals Montreal
You cannot talk about Montreal’s Street Art without mentioning its two festivals. The first art festival on rue de Montréal is Under pressure. This annual graffiti festival has lasted for more than 20 years, making it the oldest event of the genre in North America.
The other is Wall Festival. The wall festival started in 2012 but continued to grow at fast speed. Millions of people each year visit Montreal to assume this epic festival. Until now, the incredible artists of the festival, who come from around the world, have created more than 80 murals and installations. And I also mention this festival because it takes place in the heart of the Mont Royal plateau.
The festival lasts 10 days in summer and offers free concerts, guided tours and the ability to see these incredible wall paintings being created. They even have their own application! The application of the Wall Festival helps you to discover murals, to discover the programming, and much more!
I am here to share with you the best neighborhood to find the street art in Montreal! He has not only the most street art, but is also, in my opinion, the best place to explore the city. In addition to local and eccentric stores and cafes, the Montreal Plateau Montreal district is your place to explore the best street art.
The Plateau Mont Royal district is located northwest of the city center and at the base of Mont Royal. With the main center being Saint Laurent Boulevard. It’s the hip, it is colorful and, according to Statistics, Canada has the greatest number of creative people in Canada. So it is not a surprise that it is the best district to find the street art in the city. It was even evaluated as one of the 15 “most connected” districts in North America.
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Although there are endless murals and impressive street arts through the Mont Royal plateau, the following is a mixture of some of my favorites and some emblematic Montreal wall paintings.
My first street art pieces in the Plateau Mont de Montréal district were all found together in a parking lot. Located off St. Dominique St in a parking lot between Sherbrooke St. E and Rue Prince Arthur E, you will find 3 of the following wall paintings, plus a few other large.
One of them is front, also known as Dean Stockton, which is a leading figure in Urban Contemporary Art in London. The second is the madman Mona Lisa on the Happy face of Ron English. Born in the United States, Ron is one of the most prolific artists of his generation. He even created the term “popaganda” to describe his style, a mixture of comic strips meets emblematic historical art. The third is a literal ray of sun that I loved!
Some emblematic murals of Montreal
The first is graffiti granny. Located on Saint Laurent Blvd, it is one of the best street art songs in Montreal that you can even find it on Google Maps. It was created by the team of artists A’Shop. Full of color, the second piece is one of the Jackie Robinson wall paintings in Montreal. This was created by Fluke, the founder of the A’Shop crew.
Although this next piece is not the famous Leonard Cohen wall located in downtown Montreal and can be seen from Mount Royal, it is still remarkable. Plateau Mont Royal has its own Leonard Cohen wall. Located at the corner of Prince Arthur and Saint Laurent, it was created by Kevin Ledo and took 24 days to finish.
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My favorites
Some of my favorites include the mirror effect. Located in a school courtyard, this common work of art, illustrates the reflection of houses in row and a superb bird. Unsurprisingly, one of my other favorite street art pieces in Montreal also has birds! This next one has a wonderful birds that wrap around a small whole business.
A few colored touches
Some colorful pieces that can be found here include one that I nicknamed Fun that I nicknamed Zombie Alley. He is by Monosourcil, an artist on rue Montréal, is at the corner of rue Prince Arthur and Saint Laurent Blvd. Another that I couldn’t help but be impressed by his curiot size, Favio Martinez. Located at the corner of Sherbrooke St. and Jeanne Mance St, this muralist based in Mexico City, gives life to mythical creatures in an accessible manner. The last touch of color covers a building on the pins of the avenue to the east, between Laval avenue and Henri Julien Ave. This mixture of green, purple and blue is Claudia Walde, also known as Mad C, born in Germany.
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And don’t forget …
Here are some additional wall paintings that are not missed. At the edge of the world, this beautiful play by Jonathan Bergeron, who lives and works in Montreal, is at 3590 Saint Laurent Blvd. You cannot help but fall in love with the woman at the head of the bull by Sbuone, located in Duluth Ave W. and Clark St. Another fun is the two women of the Wall of the Labor Courtons. Created by the Australian Street Artist Finan Magee, it can be found on Ave des Pins East, between avenue de l’Hotel-de-Ville and Avenue Laval.
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If you are looking for a detailed map of the Mont Royal’s Street Art plateau, see this practical card from Wall2Wall Montreal.
Do you have a favorite place to find Montreal Street Art?
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