Place des Arts

Great venue. Acoustics are amazing. Not a bad seat in the house. Also the seats are quite comfortable. Well managed and easy to get to your seat

Place des Arts is, in my opinion, one of Montreal’s greatest cultural gems. The area around it has evolved into one of the city’s most charming yet bustling sectors, with something to enjoy in every season. I can easily imagine how delighted tourists must feel when visiting. Its proximity to excellent restaurants and the metro (subway) makes it very accessible, though parking can sometimes be a bit tricky—but not enough to take away from the experience. I’ve attended numerous shows here, including Broadway productions, which are truly spectacular. My only real criticism is the sound quality, which isn’t always ideal. While many may overlook this, an acoustic overhaul would significantly elevate the entertainment experience and make this venue even more remarkable.

Saw 2 concerts in October. Mezzanine seats are too small. Also mezzanine seats don't have a unobstructed view (lighting fuxtures) of the screen images. It's something Place Des Arts should consider for people sitting higher (project images lower i n the screens) Parterre seats are ideal.

🎭 Overview & History Place des Arts officially opened in 1963 to transform Montreal into a cultural capital—the initiative of Mayor Jean Drapeau. Its flagship venue, Salle Wilfrid‑Pelletier, inaugurated that year, marked the beginning of this iconic complex 🎟️ Venues & Programming Place des Arts includes six performance halls with varied capacities and purposes: Salle Wilfrid‑Pelletier (~2,996 seats): Canada’s largest multipurpose stage, home to large-scale opera, ballet, jazz, and musicals Maison symphonique (~2,100 seats): Acclaimed for its acoustics, home to the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Théâtre Maisonneuve (~1,453 seats): Hosts dance, theatre, comedy, and chamber performances Smaller venues include Théâtre Jean‑Duceppe (~765 seats), Cinquième Salle (~300–421 seats), and Salle Claude‑Léveillée (~128 seats) for more intimate or experimental shows The programming is diverse—ranging from internationally renowned musicians and dance companies to comedy, musicals, opera, and experimental works. Place des Arts is a frequent host for high-profile festivals like the Montréal Jazz Festival, FrancoFolies, Just for Laughs, and Montreal en lumière 🌟 Esplanade & Public Space The Esplanade de la Place des Arts is a vibrant elevated plaza connecting the building’s theatres—it’s a magnet for festivals, performances, and public art installations year‑round—including live fountains in summer and winter events during Montréal en lumière and Jazz Fest The Espace culturel Georges‑Émile‑Lapalme, at ground level and attached to Sainte-Catherine Street, features free performances, exhibits, and gatherings in a dynamic urban setting

Had a wonderful evening on October 30th 2025. Spectators and performers were dressed in costumes. Lots of fun. Sound is amazing. Comfortable seats.

Lots of fun.always great festivals . Love the jazz festival. Have been over 10 times Don't let the name fool you. A good variety of music. Jazz, blues, hip-hop, rap rock, you name it and is there.

Nice place for shows and concerts, acoustics are clear, the place itself is really well maintained, not crappie sets... illumination during this last show now in 2025 Montreal Jazzfestival, was very modest but accordingly appropriate with jazz rhythm, Dianne Reeves makes us happy for an 1,15 hour, very recommended, the only thing I didn't find was a place to buy a bottle of water, but finally we found a water fountain

We watched nutcracker ballet in Place Des Arts. The place is outstanding, extraordinarily well organized.