Saint Helen's Island

Island Island park in Montreal with cultural and recreation venues

Island park in the Saint Lawrence River that forms part of Montreal’s Parc Jean‑Drapeau; visitors cycle paths, visit the Biosphere and attend seasonal festivals.

Main image

Saint Helen’s Island is an island in the Saint Lawrence River within the city of Montreal, Quebec, and part of the Parc Jean-Drapeau park system. It was a principal site for Expo 67, the 1967 World’s Fair, and retains several Expo-era structures.

Major attractions include the La Ronde amusement park, a seasonal park that opened for Expo 67, and the Biosphere museum housed in the former United States pavilion geodesic dome. The island also offers parkland, walking and cycling paths, picnic areas and marina facilities.

The island forms a contiguous park area with nearby Île Notre-Dame and is managed as part of Parc Jean-Drapeau. It is within Montreal city limits and is accessed from the island via road and park transit connections.

  • Expo 67: The island was one of the principal sites of Expo 67 and retains major Expo-era structures and attractions.
  • Access: Part of Parc Jean-Drapeau, it is linked to adjacent Île Notre-Dame and to Montreal by bridge access and public transit during major events.

What to See #

  • La Ronde: A major amusement park that opened for Expo 67 and remains the city's largest seasonal amusement park, operating primarily from late spring to early autumn.
  • Biosphere: A museum housed in the geodesic dome that served as the United States pavilion at Expo 67, now dedicated to the environment and located on the island's shoreline.
  • Parklands and amenities: Parkland, walking and cycling paths, picnic spots and marina facilities that form part of the larger Parc Jean-Drapeau managed by Montreal authorities.
Saint Helen's Island
Parc Jean-Drapeau, Île Sainte-Hélène, Montreal, QC
45.5168, -73.5339
Park areas open daily; specific attractions have separate hours

How to Get to Saint Helen's Island #

Take Montreal’s Metro Yellow Line to Jean‑Drapeau station; the island is a short walk from the station. Cars and bike access are available via bridges from the city; seasonal ferries also operate during summer festival periods.

Tips for Visiting Saint Helen's Island #

  • Use the Parc Jean-Drapeau metro stop (Yellow Line) for the quickest access to the island.
  • Bring a picnic-there are grassy spots and views of the St. Lawrence River.
  • Check events calendar: the island hosts festivals and concerts that can alter access and parking.

Best Time to Visit Saint Helen's Island #

Summer for festivals and activities; autumn for quieter walks and views over the river.

Summer
June-August · 18-26°C
Festival season with warm weather and long daylight.
Autumn
September-October · 5-15°C
Crisp air, fewer crowds and colourful foliage.

Weather & Climate near Saint Helen's Island #

Climate

Saint Helen's Island'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 27°C. Moderate rainfall (985 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
-15°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -5°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-15° -5°

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-13° -3°

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-7°

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°

Weather

88 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
16° 27°

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 26°

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 96 mm of rain.

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°

Weather

83 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-10° -2°

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

Nearby Attractions to Saint Helen's Island