Montreal Underground City

The name Montreal Underground City invokes visions of a subterranean, alternative Montreal, inhabited by mole people. However, the actual network of tunnels beneath the downtown core is far more ordinary. Locally known as RESO (for reseau souterrain de Montreal), it’s actually a very useful, fully developed indoor city of over 33 kilometres that connects shopping malls and restaurants, office buildings, metro stations, and even museums.

The system began with passageways created as part of the 1962 construction of Place Ville Marie, the city’s first skyscraper and then expanded with the opening of the underground Metro in 1966 in time for Expo 67. Since then, new tunnels have joined Place Ville Marie to the downtown area and additional malls and offices have been added. The whole is climate controlled and well-lit, and around half a million people use it each day.

While it would take a while to traverse the entire underground city, it’s best to plan your route in advance and focus on those sections closest to the activities and attractions you want to see during a particular visit. For example, if you’re heading to the Centre Bell to catch a Canadiens game or a concert, it’s easiest to enter at Place Bonaventure or Windsor Station and then cut down towards Place-des-Arts or Complexe Desjardins.

It’s also a good idea to bring a small backpack with snacks and water so you can make a stop for refreshment without having to leave the network. In addition to a large selection of stores, many of the tunnels have small kiosks that sell sandwiches, salads, and beverages. For more details please visit underground city montreal map

A map of the underground city is available from most metro stations and at some of the entrances to malls and museums. You can explore the system on your own or join a guided tour that includes visits to some of the most interesting tunnels and passageways in the central district, including the impressive underground mall at Quartier international de Montreal.

You can enter the RESO network at more than 190 exterior access points, such as malls (including Eaton Centre and Complexe Desjardins), metro stations (including Peel and Place-des-Arts on the Green Line and Lucien-L’Allier and Place-d’Armes on the Orange Line), and even some of the major museums, such as the Contemporary Arts Museum, which has been directly linked to the tunnels since 1992.

Whether you’re a Montreal resident or just passing through, the RESO is a convenient way to explore the heart of the city, especially during winter weather. Just remember to come up for air from time to time and be sure to pack a jacket!