Musée des Beaux-Arts, 1379-80 rue Sherbrooke ouest (tel. 514/285-2000): Canada's first museum devoted exclusively to the visual arts started out in 1912 in a neoclassical space on Sherbrooke's north side. A newer pavilion on the opposite side is now connected by an underground series of galleries. Temporary exhibits are strong, and the permanent collection is largely devoted to international contemporary art and Canadian works.
Pointe-à-Callière (Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History), 350 Place Royale (tel. 514/872-9150): A first visit to Montréal might best begin here. This strikingly modernistic structure at the edge of Vieux-Montréal marks the spot where the first European settlement put down roots in the city. It stands atop extensive excavations that unearthed not only remains of the French newcomers, but also of the native bands that preceded them. On the self-guided tour, you'll wind your way through the subterranean complex.
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