Frequently asked questions
See the most popular questions
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Are the Jardin botanique and the Insectarium in the same building?
No, they are about 10 to 15 minutes apart on foot or 5 minutes by car.
Is it easy to travel between the museums?
It's easy to travel between the Jardin botanique, Insectarium, Biodôme and Planétarium Rio tinto Alcan on foot or by car. The Insectarium is on the same site as the Jardin botanique, and the Biodôme and Planetarium are about a 10-minute walk away from the Insectarium.
You can easily get to the Biosphère by metro from the other museums. From the Pie-IX or Viau metro stations, on the green line, take the Angrignon direction towards the Berri-UQAM station. After a transfer on the yellow line, you exit at the Jean-Drapeau station, very close to the Biosphère Museum. The ride takes about 35 minutes.
What are the museums’ rates and opening hours?
Who is eligible for the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) resident rate?
Starting May 2022, residents of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) benefit from a reduction on admission fees at Space for Life museums.
The CMM includes the 80 municipalities of the agglomerations of Longueuil and Montréal as well as the North Shore and South Shore of the city. With this map of the CMM you can trace its territory.
Longueuil agglomeration
- Boucherville
- Brossard
- Longueuil
- Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
- Saint-Lambert
Montréal agglomeration
- Baie-d'Urfé
- Beaconsfield
- Côte-Saint-Luc
- Dollard-des-Ormeaux
- Dorval
- Hampstead
- Kirkland
- L'Île-Dorval
- Montréal
- Montréal-Est
- Montréal-Ouest
- Mont-Royal
- Pointe-Claire
- Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
- Senneville
- Westmount
North Shore
- Blainville
- Boisbriand
- Bois-des-Filion
- Charlemagne
- Deux-Montagnes
- L'Assomption
- Lorraine
- Mascouche
- Mirabel
- Oka
- Pointe-Calumet
- Repentigny
- Rosemère
- Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines
- Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac
- Sainte-Thérèse
- Saint-Eustache
- Saint-Joseph-du-Lac
- Saint-Sulpice
- Terrebonne
South Shore
- Beauharnois
- Beloeil
- Calixa-Lavallée
- Candiac
- Carignan
- Chambly
- Châteauguay
- Contrecoeur
- Delson
- Hudson
- La Prairie
- Léry
- Les Cèdres
- L'Île-Cadieux
- L'Île-Perrot
- McMasterville
- Mercier
- Mont-Saint-Hilaire
- Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot
- Otterburn Park
- Pincourt
- Pointe-des-Cascades
- Richelieu
- Saint-Amable
- Saint-Basile-le-Grand
- Saint-Constant
- Sainte-Catherine
- Sainte-Julie
- Saint-Isidore
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste
- Saint-Lazare
- Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu
- Saint-Mathieu
- Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil
- Saint-Philippe
- Terrasse-Vaudreuil
- Varennes
- Vaudreuil-Dorion
- Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac
- Verchères
Laval
- Laval
What is the best way to get a map of the museums?
A map will be given to you at the reception desk of all our institutions. If you’d like to look at a map or print one out now, please refer to the following pages.
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Do I have to buy my tickets before I visit?
To avoid disappointment and waiting in line, we are strongly recommending that you buy your timed tickets online.
Do you offer guided tours?
No, but you can put questions to the science educators at the various ecosystems and use the mobile app or an identification guide to learn more.
Is the Biodôme accessible to people with reduced mobility or with strollers?
Yes. Also, you can borrow wheelchairs and strollers free of charge. To find out more about the wheelchair loan service and guide dogs, go to our adapted services page.
To find out more: Visitor services
Are there any plug-in terminals for electric cars?
Yes, there are two plug-in terminals in the parking lot at 3000 Viau Street. The rate is $2.50 per session. Please note that you still have to pay for parking ($12) if you use a charging station.
Are there areas for breastfeeding?
Yes, two areas have been especially set up for breastfeeding.
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What is the Insectarium's Metamorphosis project?
With its new configuration, the Montréal Insectarium invites the public to meet real, living insects in an immersive atmosphere.
The team has completely revised its approach to provide a new museum and educational experience. The goal? Contribute to change the way humans see insects in order for them to develop what we call “entomophilia” at the Insectarium—the appreciation or valorization of insects. This transformation will take place through a unique immersive visit experience where visitors will first be invited to put themselves in the place of insects, then encouraged to connect with them in an intimate way, to discover their great diversity, and then to spend quality time in their company in the Great Vivarium.
The architectural concept of the Metamorphosis project received an Award of Merit from Canadian Architect magazine in December 2018. It was the result of an international architectural competition won by the consortium of five architectural and engineering firms : Kuehn Malvezzi, Pelletier de Fontenay, Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes, Dupras Ledoux and NCK.
Is the memory of the founder of the Insectarium Georges Brossard honoured in the new museum?
Mr. Brossard's legacy is honoured with a stele erected in his memory on the esplanade of the new museum.
How can I download the mobile app to visit the Insectarium?
The Insectarium's mobile app is available for free download on the App Store and Play Store. It is available on iOS and Android mobile platforms (minimum versions required: Android 6 Marshmallow and iOS 11).
Are there spaces for breastfeeding?
Yes, a specially designed space is available.
Do we have to do the whole visit?
As the site visit is unidirectional, it is mandatory to go through all the galleries.
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Is it possible to buy a plant from the Jardin botanique?
Unfortunately, the Jardin botanique de Montréal does not sell its plants to the public as a rule. There are exceptions, such as the Great Gardening Weekend and special plant sales at the Garden’s boutique.
Occasionally, the Jardin botanique’s affiliated societies also organize plant sales. However, these special events are generally reserved for members.
Can I take a picnic to the Garden?
Unfortunately, the Montréal Botanical Garden’s official policy does not allow picnics on site, except in areas that are designated for meals (the picnic areas situated in front of the Lion statue and at the Frédéric Back Tree Pavilion). The restaurant’s patio offers outdoor tables, and you can eat a meal there brought from home.
Please note that alcoholic beverages, chairs, coolers and blankets are not authorized inside the Garden. Only alcoholic beverages purchased on site can be consumed at the Garden’s restaurant, on its patio.
You can also start with a visit to the Garden and then enjoy a peaceful picnic at Maisonneuve Park. Afterwards, you could always come back to the Garden to continue your visit. Just let the attendant at the gate know that you’ll be coming back and he or she will stamp your hand as proof you have already paid for admission when you return. If you need to leave the Garden and use a parking lot, use the Insectarium’s lot (the second traffic light east of Pie-IX, near Maisonneuve Park).
Can I use my tripod or other photography equipment at the Jardin botanique?
Tripods and monopods cannot be used in the exhibition greenhouses or the pavilions. However, a tripod can be used in the outdoor gardens*.
You must not block visitor traffic or interfere with employees’ work. You also may not set up your tripod in certain areas (these areas are marked as areas where walking is prohibited), in areas that are off limits to visitors or flower beds. For certain exhibitions, flash may be prohibited.
* Exception: For safety reasons, tripods are not permitted in the Chinese Garden during the “Gardens of Light” event when there are a lot of visitors. Tripods will only be tolerated when there are not many visitors on site.
Are there courses or workshops on horticulture and/or botany?
The Friends of the Botanical Garden organize courses and workshops for amateurs. Visit this page for more information about courses and workshops at the Garden (french only).
Professional-level courses towards a general DEP in horticulture followed by an ASP are given by the École des Métiers de l'Horticulture (french only).
Does the Jardin botanique accept plant donations?
Donations from individuals are rarely accepted. The Jardin botanique only accepts donations of rare, uncommon plants that are not in its collections and are well identified. In addition, with the exception of plants of horticultural origin, the natural origin of the plant must be certified in several cases.
If your plants are too big for your apartment or you are moving and have to leave your plants behind, we suggest that you offer them to community centers, schools, daycares, churches or hospitals.
On the other hand, some horticultural and ecological clubs organize plant exchange days for their members.
Finally, there are networks on the Web that allow you to offer your surplus to other gardeners in your neighborhood.
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What does admission to the Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan include?
Your ticket to the Planétarium allows you to attend one of our double show programs on the same day. It also gives you access to current exhibitions.
See the complete show schedule.
Are the Planetarium and its theatres wheelchair-accessible?
Yes, the entire building is wheelchair-accessible. Both theatres have designated areas for wheelchairs.
Does the Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan have a free section?
Yes, it is possible to visit the exhibitions for free during regular opening hours. It includes various interactive kiosks, multimedia games and projections in addition of temporary exhibitions.
Are the Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan's shows appropriate for children?
The shows are designed for people 7 years of age and older. The Montréal Space for Life does not recommend bringing younger children (0 to 6 years old) as the shows can be very upsetting for a young audience due to the sound level and special effects (“vertigo” effect, storm, etc.).
Please note that, out of respect for the other visitors, anyone who cannot remain quiet during the show will be asked to leave the theatre without refund.