La Grande Roue de Montréal, Montreal, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

La Grande Roue de Montréal is a giant observation wheel on the waterfront of the Old Port in Montreal, built in 2017 for the city's 375th anniversary. It is the largest Ferris wheel in Canada, and from its enclosed glass cabins you look over Old Montreal, the St. Lawrence River and the downtown skyline.

The story behind it

The wheel went up in 2017, the year Montreal marked 375 years since its founding. It was built by Vekoma, a Dutch company, and stands beside the Bonsecours Basin in the Old Port, where the modern city meets its oldest harbour district.

It was designed to work in every season. Each cabin is climate controlled, so the ride is as comfortable in a Canadian winter as on a summer evening, and the glass windows give clear views in every direction. That has made it a landmark of the waterfront as well as a ride.

What to look for

• Look at the wheel against the low stone warehouses and rooftops of Old Montreal, which show how much taller it is than everything around it.
• From inside a cabin, find the line of the St. Lawrence River and follow it to see how the Old Port sits right on the water.
• Look back toward the city from the top of the ride, where the old district gives way to the towers of downtown.
• Notice the cabins themselves: fully glazed pods that let you see out on all sides.

Tips for your visit

• Give yourself about half an hour for the ride and a little time in the queue, and check current opening hours and ticket details before you go.
• Late afternoon into evening is a good time to ride, when you can watch the light change over the river and the city.
• The wheel is right in the Old Port, so Old Montreal's cobbled streets, Place Jacques-Cartier and the waterfront promenade are all a short walk away.
• The cabins are heated and cooled, so the ride is an option in winter too, but dress warmly for the walk to the wheel.

See it on a quest

The best way to place the wheel in its surroundings is on foot. Montreal - Old Port Highlights is a self-guided walk that passes the wheel as one stop on a longer route through the Old Port. The app tells you about each place as you reach it and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look closely at the waterfront rather than just walking past. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like, with no guide and no set departure time.