Cultural Mecca
While the planning for a major concert hall in Montreal began in the mid 1950s, it wasn't until September 23, 1963 that the Place-des-Arts was officially inaugurated with a performance in the Grande Salle (later to become the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier) by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mister Pelletier himself. Originally constructed with a single hall, two new venues were opened in 1967 as part of Expo 67: the Théâtre Maisonneuve and the Théâtre Port-Royal (renamed the Théâtre Jean-Duceppe in 1991). By the mid 1990s, Place-des-Arts had been endowed with two more theatres including the Studio-Théâtre (a small concert hall focusing primarily on up-and-coming francophone artists) and the Cinquième Salle.

Home to Many Companies
Place des Arts is now home to several internationally renowned resident companies such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Metropolitain, Danse Danse, Pro Musica, Orchestre de chambre I Musici de Montréal, La Compagnie Jean Duceppe, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, l'Opéra de Montreal and most recently O Vertigo dance company; the centre is this city's cultural and artistic Mecca!

Monument to the Arts
Situated adjacent to the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Arts, the Place-des-Arts complex covers a total expanse of 100,000 square metres including a spectacular outdoor plaza complete with fountains and an ornamental pool. Attached to the Complexe Desjardins via an underground tunnel, Place-des-Arts plays an integral role in Montreal's artistic and cultural heritage. Home to a cafe, a restaurant (both at the metro level), various souvenir shops and a total of five halls, the Place-des-Arts outdoor esplanade also plays host to summer festivals such as Les Francofolies and the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Whether you're there to catch a show or enjoying your lunchtime break on the outdoor plaza, Place-des-Arts is a worthy monument to this city's fascination with the fine arts!