Montreal Biodome
Museum Indoor nature exhibit recreating multiple Americas ecosystems
Inside Montreal’s Olympic Park, the Biodome recreates four Americas ecosystems - rainforest, Laurentian forest, Saint Lawrence marine and polar - with live animals and educational exhibits for families and school groups.
The Montreal Biodome is an indoor natural history facility in Montreal’s Olympic Park that recreates multiple ecosystems found in the Americas. It opened as the Biodome in 1992 in the former velodrome built for the 1976 Summer Olympics.
The building was originally constructed as the Montreal Velodrome for the 1976 Olympics and was repurposed and refitted to house living ecosystems when the Biodome opened in 1992. Since opening it has been developed as a public museum and research facility focused on ecology and conservation.
The Biodome is located within Montreal’s Olympic Park in the borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, adjacent to the Olympic Stadium and near the Pie-IX and Viau metro stations. It is inside the island of Montreal, Quebec.
- Building history: Housed in the former 1976 Olympic Velodrome building, converted into the Biodome in 1992.
- Collections size: Maintains displays of four distinct ecosystems of the Americas and cares for thousands of animals and hundreds of plant species.
What to See #
- Tropical Rainforest: A recreated Tropical Rainforest gallery with tall tree species, layered vegetation and free-flying birds and other rainforest fauna.
- Laurentian Forest: A Laurentian Forest gallery that replicates eastern North American temperate forest with maple and beech species and native wildlife.
- Gulf of the Saint Lawrence: A Saint Lawrence Marine Ecosystem gallery focused on the estuary with species from the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
- Sub-Antarctic Islands: A Sub-Antarctic Islands gallery recreating cold, rocky island environments and seabird colonies.
How to Get to Montreal Biodome #
The Montreal Biodome is located inside Montreal’s Olympic Park (Parc Olympique) at 4777 Avenue Pierre‑de‑Coubertin. Take the STM Metro Green Line (Line 1) to Viau station - the Biodome is a roughly 5-10 minute walk east along Pierre‑de‑Coubertin from the station. From downtown Montreal it’s about a 4-6 km drive (follow Boulevard Saint‑Laurent east to Autoroute 720/10 and signs for the Olympic Park).
Tips for Visiting Montreal Biodome #
- Arrive right at opening and buy a timed-entry ticket online to avoid long lines and school-group rushes that usually arrive later in the day.
- Take the metro to the Olympic Park area (Pie-IX/Viau stations) and walk to the Biodome to avoid parking hassles; the site is part of the Espace pour la vie complex, so plan a combined visit with the Botanical Garden and Insectarium.
- Give yourself time to visit each ecosystem exhibit (tropical rainforest, Laurentian forest, Gulf of St. Lawrence and sub-Antarctic islands) - people often rush past the Gulf/St. Lawrence displays, which are excellent for local marine life viewing.
Best Time to Visit Montreal Biodome #
For the Montreal Biodome, pick weekday mornings in non-holiday months to avoid crowds - the indoor climate varies by exhibit.
Weather & Climate near Montreal Biodome #
Montreal Biodome's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -15°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1009 mm/year), wettest in September, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -6°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).
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March
March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 98 mm of rain.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).
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