Château Ramezay Historic Site and Museum of Montréal

Château Ramezay Historic Site and Museum of Montréal occupies a stone residence built in 1705 for Claude de Ramezay, Governor of Montreal, at 280 Rue Notre-Dame Est in Old Montreal, Quebec. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved historic buildings in the city, and it later served as a government house, a courthouse and an office before becoming a museum of Montreal history. During the American occupation of 1775-76, the building was used as a headquarters by the American army, and Benjamin Franklin stayed in the city during that period.

Inside, the museum traces the history of Montreal from the Indigenous period and New France through British rule and into the modern era. Exhibits include period rooms, furniture, portraits, maps and everyday objects, with displays that show how colonial families and officials lived. The building itself, with thick stone walls, vaulted spaces and period features, is part of the attraction.

Behind the château is the Governor's Garden, laid out in an 18th-century style with kitchen plants, herbs and ornamental beds. The garden is free to enter and offers a quiet pause from the busy streets of Old Montreal, particularly in summer when it is in bloom. A café and boutique complete the site.

A visit typically lasts one to one and a half hours. Adult admission is about CAD 14-15, with reduced rates for seniors, students and children. The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with holiday schedules that can vary. Summer weekends are the busiest, as the site sits within one of the city's most visited tourist districts, while weekday mornings and off-season days are quiet. The château is about a five-minute walk from Champ-de-Mars metro station on the Orange Line, and is close to City Hall, Place Jacques-Cartier and Bonsecours Market, so it combines easily with a walking tour of Old Montreal. A single metro fare is CAD 3.75.