Discovering the Quartier Latin

A place for study and learning

The academic vocation of the Quartier Latin, whose very name evokes the eponymous Parisian neighbourhood, home to Paris universities, is self-evident. The cradle of French-language university education in Montreal is now home to the main campus of the Université du Québec à Montréal, whose monumental buildings contribute to the academic atmosphere. It is also home to INIS, the National Institute of Image and Sound, which is busy training the next generation of audiovisual professionals. And let’s not forget the Grande Bibliothèque (BAnQ), the largest library in Quebec, which, all year round, attracts Montrealers from all walks of life, driven by curiosity and a desire to learn.

A space for creation and dissemination

The Quartier Latin is dotted with venues dedicated to artistic expression and dissemination. Film buffs can enjoy the repertoire selections of the Cinémathèque québécoise as well as watch the latest films at the Cinéma Quartier Latin. In addition to screening cult films and showcasing Canada’s movie heritage, the Cinémathèque also hosts some of Montreal’s foremost film festivals, including the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, the Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal, and the Festival Québec Cinéma. 

The artistic vibrancy of the Quartier Latin is also visible in the abundance of murals that adorn its walls. Several of them—such as L’air du temps, a work by Phillip Adams that dresses up the intersection of Émery and Sanguinet streets—are worth a visit in their own right!

A remarkable recreational site

Taking a stroll down Saint-Denis Street is all you need to soak up the vibe. With its myriad shops, restaurants, and microbreweries, it’s tempting to stop over at one of the inviting terraces to quench your thirst or grab a bite to eat while watching the world go by. In the summer, festivals such as MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE take the atmosphere up a notch and bring the neighbourhood to life with colourful performances by artists from all disciplines. And here, there’s a steady stream of laughter all year round thanks to comedy clubs like Le Bordel that feature the best comics, from the biggest stars to the best up-and-coming talent.

An entertainment hub

The Quartier Latin is a vibrant neighbourhood where everything can become the stuff of spectacle. The Espace St-Denis—symbol of the Quartier’s recreational vocation—is a new entertainment center that connects the neighbourhood’s past with its future. Renovated several times since its founding at the beginning of the last century, the most recent renovations have transformed the second hall of the complex into a multifunctional performance space, the Studio-Cabaret. Soon, a new transparent lobby will invite visitors to appreciate the brick façade of the original theater. The building, which is now home to multiple performance halls and restaurants, continues to be a veritable magnet and a symbol of the neighbourhood’s artistic vitality. It’s the perfect place to meet up with friends and make plans on the fly, inspired by the sheer atmosphere and personality of the place.

A lively and vibrant neighbourhood

The soul of the Quartier Latin is also a reflection of the people who call this hood their home. Inaugurated in 1959, the Habitations Jeanne-Mance capture the essence of the Quartier’s residential character. This affordable housing complex, with its five towers and multiple rows of low-rise houses, was renovated in the early 2010s and embellished with numerous public works of art that are as beautiful as they are impressive. Like this iconic complex, the ever-evolving Quartier Latin continues to look to the future. Already home to the Maison de la chanson et de la musique and ADISQ offices, it will soon welcome the new École de l’humour and the future ITHQ management pavilion... Living proof that in the Quartier Latin, living rhymes with growing.