General Information

Set in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles in downtown Montreal, the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE site occupies the quadrilateral area bordered by St. Urbain Street and De Bleury Street from east to west, and Ste. Catherine Street and President-Kennedy Avenue from south to north. By virtue of their central location amid the festivities, the Complexe Desjardins and Place des Arts are useful landmarks.

Due to the tremendous interest in MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, we obviously advise visitors to use mass transit. The Place-des-Arts Métro station, located on the green line, is a direct entry point to the festival site. We advise guests to use the exits opening onto Ste. Catherine or De Bleury Streets. Click here to access the STM website.

Festival-goers arriving on foot from the East or West are advised to use Ste. Catherine St. all the way to Jeanne-Mance Street. Cycling is an excellent means of transportation, even in the winter. However, please note that bicycles are not permitted on-site for security reasons.

With some streets closed to vehicle traffic and parking in the downtown core relatively limited, people are encouraged to consult the map of street closures for the location and accessibility of the closest parking areas.

La Baraque à frites

La Maison du chocolat

La Maison du chocolat presents the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. ($: cash only)

Bistro SAQ

Serves up cheeses, soups, duck confit, beef Burgundy, a selection of wines and beers. ($: debit, credit, cash)

To go: a selection of wines, hot wine, alcohol and beers. ($: debit, credit, cash)

Don’t miss the Bistro SAQ special evening tasting.

Bistro express SAQ

Come warm up and satisfy your appetite. On the menu: wines, flavoured coffees, tasting menu, marshmallow roasting, chorizo and Argentinean style sausages. ($: debit, credit, cash)

Belgian Waffles

The outdoor site will tantalize our tastebuds with a delectable variety of flavours for every budget! ($: cash only)

Petit Balmo

Head to the Petit Balmo for its Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and huge homemade pretzels. ($: cash only)

PARILLA BY L’ATELIER D’ARGENTINE

Come and taste empanadas and vacio (beef) and cerdo (pork) sandwiches!

Milk Bar

Hot chocolate, maple-flavored milk, milk berlingots and churros.($: cash only)

Amarula

The sunny ambience of South Africa in the heart of winter! On the menu: Amarula coffee and shots poured out in a chocolate cone. ($: cash only)

While you’re at it, take a moment to watch the Tam-Tam Amarula team work its rhythmic magic!

Rickard’s Bar

Come quench your thirst! ($: cash only)

Café Jura

Cap off your tasting in style with a churro and an espresso or cappuccino, or an alcoholized coffee. ($: cash only)

Porto Cabral

Sample an exclusive range of port wines. ($: cash only)

First Aid

When it comes to public safety, every effort has been made to ensure your visit to MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE is both pleasant and secure. Our frontline and security staff has been trained to provide first aid attendance during the event.

During the Nuit blanche, a Red Cross team will be available to provide First Aid as needed to festival clientele.

Lost and Found

For loss of personal effects during attendance at MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, please call 514 288-1971. After the event has taken place, calls should be directed to the Info-Lumière team during business hours, at 514 288-9955 or 1 888 864-3737 (1-85-LUMIERES).

Washrooms and adapted restrooms

Portable washrooms will be located:

• at the corner of Balmoral Street and Mayor Street
• on the Place des Arts esplanade

Each location includes an adapted toilet accessible to the handicapped, with an access ramp.

You will find more washrooms at Complexe Desjardins.

DRESSING TABLE

Parents can care for their nursing infants in the Complexe Desjardins washrooms, which are equipped with a dressing table.

INFORMATION KIOSK

You will find an information kiosk on the Place des Festivals, at the corner of Jeanne-Mance Street and Ste-Catherine Street, for the duration of the event. The following services will be offered:

• Information on all festival activities
• Daily programming updates
• Subscription to the free newsletter featuring exclusive offers
• Lost & found
• Finding lost ones / Assistance to lost ones
• Comment and suggestion box for festival-goers

To ensure public safety and fulfil the duties that go along with staging large-scale events, the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE team has set out a series of regulations. We’re counting on your collaboration to ensure that your visit is both pleasant and safe.

Pets are not allowed on public sites, with the exception of duly-identified service dogs.

The following items are prohibited on the Festival site:

• Alcoholic beverages.
• Glass and aluminium containers.
• Any other objects likely to compromise the security of festival-goers.

On March 2, specific rules will also be put into effect for Nuit blanche à Montréal:

To guarantee everyone a safe and pleasant time, the Festival would like to remind you that alcoholic beverages will not be allowed within the perimeters of the outdoor site, in accordance with a municipal by-law. This rule also applies to all circuits and areas hosting Nuit blanche activities.

Sale and solicitation will be strictly prohibited on the site. Festival-goers who conduct themselves in an inappropriate or dangerous manner will be asked to leave the site.

These regulations will be in effect during the Festival’s opening hours.

Thank you for your collaboration.

Weather Conditions

In Quebec, winter presents a multitude of different meteorological conditions, making for a complex season. According to the experts of the Weather Network, this winter will see close to normal seasonal temperatures with an average of -8 °C. The Weather Network’s website provides weather forecasts and all the tools you need to stay informed.

Rain or Shine

According to the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE policy, an outdoor show will not be cancelled due to rain or snow. Some outdoor activities may be delayed as a result of inclement weather. If an event should be delayed, it will resume as soon as conditions allow and end at the time specified on the schedule. For more info, please call the Info-Lumière hotline or check the Festival website. For up-to-the-minute weather details, please check the Weather Network website.

We’re proud to offer installations adapted to mobility-impaired persons. While some food concessions may be difficult to access, our staff will be more than glad to offer assistance. Please note that certain activities, such as the Ferris Wheel, the Slide and some children’s games are unfortunately not accessible to persons using a wheelchair. Please contact the Info-Jazz line at 514 871-1881 or 1 888 515-0515 if you have any questions concerning access to the site for mobility-impaired persons.

Place des Arts and Place des Arts esplanade access

The Place des Arts esplanade (the area at the top of the stairs) can be accessed via De Maisonneuve Boulevard just east of Jeanne-Mance Street, through the path marked "chemin de la Reine". Click here for more information on the means of access for Place des Arts and Maison symphonique de Montréal.