PAC 2025: ALLEY-OOP

ALLEY-OOP: AN INTERACTIVE ADVENTURE EXHIBITION

Pointe-à-Callière presents a playful and immersive experience on Montréal’s alleyways.

June 20, 2025 - January 11, 2026

Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s Archaeology and History Complex, unveiled a new exhibition: Alley-oop - An Interactive Adventure. Designed for young and also for people of all ages, it’s an invitation to explore the history and cultural richness of Montréal’s alleyways through an interactive experience in which visitor’s movements trigger various games. This exhibition that gets one moving, takes the participants on a journey back in time.

Watch a YouTube video of the exhibition.

Anne Élisabeth Thibault, Executive Director, Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex stated:

“Discreet witnesses to the city’s evolution, Montréal’s alleys have stood the test of time. From simple service lanes in the 19th century, they have been transformed over time into real living spaces where people meet, garden, have fun, and where they create and build neighbourhood bonds. It is this history and this vitality that we have sought to bring to life in this new exhibition which invites visitors to explore, to play, and to remember. In combining technology and the museum experience, we are aiming to offer our visitors a lively, fun, and multigenerational journey.”

 

Let’s play!

Used for decades for children as playgrounds par excellence, Montréal’s alleyways come to life in this exhibition. Using innovative technology that combines visual projections and motion detection, the exhibition space becomes a true playing field! Visitors can interact with the environment to play, test their speed and agility, and have fun. Five immersive stations offer a variety of games to experience alone or in teams, with each season featuring a colourful new setting and new challenges.

The History of Montréal’s Alleyways

This fun exhibition invites visitors to discover the rich history of Montréal’s alleys, tracing their evolution from passthroughs and commercial laneways to real places for living, playing, and meeting—a key element of Montréal’s identity. Through archival photos, iconic objects, and period toys, visitors can re-experience the changing face of the city’s alleys with a touch of nostalgia. Interactive zones also give visitors a chance to explore the flora and fauna that can notably be found in our famous green alleys, as well as the cultural and artistic wealth that has developed in laneways in recent years.

Help us find our cat Louis Hector!

The cat Louis-Hector has disappeared somewhere in the alleys! Equipped with a booklet and guided by clues hidden in the exhibition, visitors can lead the investigation. It is an adventure filled with surprises that one can follow throughout your entire visit.

Tickets and Reservations

The exhibition can welcome a limited number of visitors per time slot. We therefore strongly recommend booking your tickets online before your visit. The reservation, included in the ticket price, guarantees access to the exhibition at a specific time, which must be respected.

Acknowledgements

The Alley-oop - An Interactive Adventure exhibition is produced by Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s Archaeology and History Complex, in collaboration with Exhibits Development Group and Electric Playhouse. The Museum thanks Hotel InterContinental Montréal, La Presse, Tourisme Montréal, and the City of Montréal.

About Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex

Inaugurated in 1992, on the city’s 350th anniversary, Pointe-à-Callière is today the largest archaeology museum in Canada and the busiest history museum in Montréal. Rising above a concentrated number of historic and archaeological sites of national significance (ncluding the birthplace of Montréal), the Museum has a mission to preserve its collections and to further knowledge, while showcasing and fostering an appreciation for Montréal’s archaeological and historical heritage. This mission is carried out through various activities focused on conservation, research, presentation, education, and inclusion, along with community initiatives benefiting both Montrealers and visitors to the city. Pointe-à-Callière, proud partner of the City of Montréal.

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The first top-most image in this article is courtesy of the Pointe-à-Callière Museum. 

All other photos in this article @ Nadia Slejskova 

For more information visit the Pointe-à-Callière museum website.

PAC 2025 : Knights

 

KNIGHTS EXHIBITION

May 22 - October 19, 2025

An exceptional collection exploring the world of chivalry

Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s Archaeology and History Complex, invites the public to come and meet some of the medieval history’s most iconic figures. Knights is an international exhibition that brings together close to 250 objects bearing witness to the influence that knights and their legacy have had down through the centuries. It highlights the prestigious collection of weaponry and armors from the Stibbert Museum in Florence (Italy), providing unique insight into the significance of the knighthood during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, in addition to showcasing the exceptional expertise of the artisans of those eras who manufactured all the armors, swords, and other indispensable war items.

Anne Élisabeth Thibault, Executive Director, Pointe-à-Callière

Anne Élisabeth Thibault, Executive Director, Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex elaborated:

“This exhibition is the result of a valued collaboration with the Stibbert Museum, while also benefitting from the collaboration of the Musée Cluny - Musée national du Moyen Âge and the Musées de Châlons-en-Champagne, which have allowed us to breathe new life into an iconic figure of both history and the collective imagination: the knight. Thanks to these invaluable collections, the public will have an opportunity to appreciate the full breadth of the beauty and finesse of the art of chivalry. This foray into the societies of this era will also provide a better understanding of the origin of the titles of nobility bestowed upon certain Montrealers who have left their mark on the city’s history. Such is the case of the Knight Louis-Hector de Callière, whose name the Museum now bears.” 

Enrico Colle, Director of Museo Stibbert, Italy

A famous copy of the Mona Lisa at the museum!

A unique piece will be on display in this exhibition: a veritable copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s original work, the Mona Lisa. Painted between 1600 and 1625 and housed at the Stibbert Museum, it is one of the most valuable reproductions of the painting, due to its faithfulness to the original.

The evolution of the figure of the knight and his legacy

The exhibition explores how knights were trained, their equipment, their code of honour, their role in military actions, and their evolution between the 12th and 16th centuries. Complete suits of armour, helmets, swords, and shields—some of the pieces on display are true masterpieces. The exhibition also examines how armour was crafted and how it has been elevated to the status of work of art.

While knights left the battlefield, their chivalrous spirit lived on, especially in tournaments and at court. The exhibition addresses “castle life,” exploring themes such as courtly love, the place women held in this masculine world, leisure activities, and religious aspects. Looking through this window into the daily lives of knights, visitors will get to explore authentic objects and acquire a better understanding of how chivalry has had an influence on society.

The image of the knight has spanned history to become ingrained in literature and legend. For centuries, knights dominated the battlefields and then became iconic figures of the court. Embodying an ideal built on a code of conduct and values, the knighthood has evolved over time, gradually transforming into an honorary title.

Visit the museum to also discover the historical local Quebec knights.

In addition, a room dedicated to the evolution of weapons and combat techniques offers a broader perspective on how chivalry has been transformed over the centuries down to the present day.

A unique experiential zone!

In addition to the immersive exhibition design that chronicles the evolution of a young knight, visitors will also get to enter a zone in which they can experience what it was like to be a knight, trying out pieces of equipment, gauging the weight of armor, wielding a sword, and taking on certain challenges worthy of the greatest medieval tournaments!

Knights – the book

Beautifully illustrated, this publication is a further immersion into the fascinating world of knights. A book that provides an in-depth exploration of the Stibbert Museum’s collection and its unique pieces steeped in history. (100 pages. Price: $24.95 + tax)

Complementing the exhibition

Guided Tours
The Museum is giving guided tours during which visitors can explore the exhibition and ask questions:
-Guided tours (20 min.) / every day (schedules at the reception counter)
-Private tours (50 min.) / upon reservation
-Visitor’s booklet for families

Lectures
The Museum is presenting a series of lectures relating to the exhibition:
-The Knight and his Era / Thursday, June 5 at 7 pm -The Evolving Image of the Knight, Past to Present / Thursday, September 18 at 7 pm -Knight of New France / Thursday, October 2 at 7 pm

Cultural Activities
On Sundays during the summer, the visitors can enjoy free knight-related activities for the whole family. Activities include heraldry workshops, medieval storytelling, calligraphy, fencing, dance, music, and much more!
-Family Sundays / From July 6 to August 17, 1 pm to 4 pm

See the complete program on Pointe-à-Callière’s website.

Acknowledgements

The Knights exhibition is produced by Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s Archaeology and History Complex, in collaboration with the Stibbert Museum and Contemporanea Progetti. It is being presented by Desjardins – Caisse du Complexe Desjardins through a partnership with Air Canada Cargo, YUL-Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, Tourisme Montréal, Hôtel InterContinental Montréal, and La Presse. The Museum sincerely thanks its lenders, sponsors, and partners.

All Photos in this article @ Nadia Slejskova

About Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex

Inaugurated in 1992, on the city’s 350th anniversary, Pointe-à-Callière is today the largest archaeology museum in Canada and the busiest history museum in Montréal. Rising above a concentrated number of historic and archaeological sites of national significance—including the birthplace of Montréal—, the Museum has a mission to preserve its collections and to further knowledge, while showcasing and fostering an appreciation for Montréal’s archaeological and historical heritage. This mission is carried out through various activities focused on conservation, research, presentation, education, and inclusion, along with community initiatives benefiting both Montrealers and visitors to the city. Pointe-à-Callière, proud partner of the City of Montréal.

For more information visit the Pointe-à-Callière museum website.

PAC 2025: Witches

WITCHES - OUT OF THE SHADOW

October 25, 2024 - April 6, 2025

Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s archaeology and history complex, presents its new exhibition, an immersion into the little-known history of witches and their mysterious world. From marginalized figures, learn how these women influence popular culture and asserted their presence through the centuries. This experience of intersecting myths and reality reveals the essence of witches. 

For Halloween, the Museum is holding a special evening event, Witches’ Night Out. An out-of-the-ordinary experience in the heart of the archaeological remains, offering an immersive exploration of the exhibition and an introduction to the world of witchcraft. Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 7 pm to 1 am.

Evil, helpful, victim or rebel… the witch is a figure whose representations have evolved over the centuries and in our collective imagination. Against this backdrop, this exhibition takes visitors on a journey through 400 objects from the private and institutional collections of over 30 European and North American museums. They represent witnesses of the history of witches and their world.

Witch Hunting – A Historical Reality

In exploring the era of witch hunts in the 16th and 17th centuries, when tens of thousands of women were persecuted and executed, the exhibition takes a tangible approach to the construction of the myth of the diabolical witch: this woman responsible for illness, death, and all other manner of ills in a society in crisis. This historical immersion into Europe and North America allows to pull back the veil on the practices and trials that saw close to 100,000 women meet tragic fates, from banishment to the stake. Among the pieces on display is a copy of the Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches), the misogynistic and ell-known treatise that played a key role in legitimizing and intensifying the practice of witch hunting.

Ancestral Know-How and Esoteric Practices

The world of witchcraft is an open window onto a broad spectrum of know-how and practices. From knowledge of medicinal plants to the art of divination, visitors are invited to explore the rituals of sorcery through a vast array of symbolic objects. Pendulums, crystals, tarot cards, and herbariums—the artifacts that reveal the powers attributed to the practices of sorcery, such as healing, enchantment, protection, and predicting the future.

Click on images to enlarge them.

All Photos @ Nadia Slejskova

For more information on the current exhibitions, activities and programs, visit the PAC Museum's website.

This article's dedicated internet address, or click on the title above the very first photo.

PAC 2024: Olmecs

OLMECS AND THE CIVILIZATIONS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO

April 18 - September 15, 2024

This fascinating exhibition that lifts the veil on Mesoamerica’s earliest known civilization, is presented in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Mexico City.

For the first time in Canada, an exhibition dedicated to the Olmec civilization and the abundant heritage it left behind is being presented at Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s archaeology and history complex. The visitors have an exceptional opportunity to delve into the cultural riches and mysteries surrounding Mesoamerica’s earliest known civilization. The exhibition features close to 300 objects, including certain masterworks never seen before on any public display. It offers a uniqu immersion, through a journey across almost 4,000 years of history, exchanges, and traditions.

The Olmecs left behind a monumental cultural legacy that was not discovered until the 19th century. Considered to be the founding people of the Mesoamerican civilizations (1600 BCE to 200 CE), traces of their heritage can be found among the Mayas (1100 BCE to the 16th century) and the Aztecs (13th century to the 16th century), among others. The temporary exhibition Olmecs and the Civilizations of the Gulf of Mexico lifts the veil on this civilization that remains largely unknown to the general public and opens the door to a fascinating world.

A Captivating Exploration of Olmec History

From the city of San Lorenzo (the cradle of Olmec civilization 3,500 years ago) to the capital of La Venta (the seat of power at its apogee) to the final city of Tres Zapotes, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through time and across the civilization’s iconic sites. A colossal stone head, jaguar-men, jade figurines, and monumental stelae and sculptures are on display throughout the exhibition, providing an understanding of the Olmecs’ social organization and beliefs. These archaeological treasures also reveal aspects of their way of life, their ingenuity, and their deep connection to their generous but hostile natural environment illustrated in their architecture, their calendar system, and their writing. Their cultural, artistic, and ideological influence persisted in the civilizations that came after them. The exhibition continues across the Mesoamerican landscape with an exploration of objects from various cultures inspired by this heritage, which has spanned the eras down to the present day.

An Exceptional International Collaboration

The magnificent objects on display in this exhibition are the result of a renewed partnership with Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH). They include masterpieces from a dozen Mexican institutions, with most of the objects on loan from the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City. A colossal head weighing several tons, along with hundreds of other artifacts, have made the journey from various Mexican archaeological sites and museums all the way to Montréal.

Anne Elisabeth Thibault, Executive Director of Pointe-à-Callièrestated:

“It is with great emotion that we have received these priceless objects, witnesses to the grandeur of the Olmec civilization. We are proud to present this exhibition, showcasing these treasures and giving the public an opportunity for an authentic encounter with this fascinating culture. The collaboration between our two institutions bears witness to our shared commitment to promoting intercultural understanding, and we extend our thanks to all partners involved. Their contribution has made this enriching and unforgettable experience possible for our co-citizens and visitors.”

Olmec Facts and Figures

• The Olmec civilization’s era extends from 1600 BCE to 200 CE.

• The Olmecs once occupied a territory that today corresponds to the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico to the south of the states of Veracruz and Tabasco.

• The first discovery attributed to the Olmec civilization was a colossal stone head unearthed by a peasant on the site of Tres Zapotes in 1858. In all, 17 of these heads have been discovered.

• Archaeological digs have revealed various sculptures decorated with symbols and patterns that have made it possible to prove the Olmec’s invention of writing and the measurement of time.

• The Olmecs originated a sport that all major Mesoamerican civilizations would go on to practice: the Mesoamerican ballgame.

• Olmec traditions that persist in Mexico today: offerings, festive traditions, patron saint days, etc.

COMPLEMENTING THE EXHIBITION

Publication
In collaboration with Beaux-Arts magazine, a special issue dedicated to the exhibition Olmecs and the Civilizations of the Gulf of Mexico has been published, offering a deep dive into the heart of Olmec art and culture through articles written by specialists in the field. This wonderfully illustrated publication serves to complete the exhibition experience. It is available for $21.95 at the Museum Shop.

Guided Tours
The Museum is giving guided tours during which you can explore the exhibition and ask any questions you may have:
- Guided tours (20 min.) / Daily (schedules at the welcome desk)
- Family Activity Booklet (available at the welcome desk)

Cultural Activities
All summer long, the Museum is encouraging people to come explore the exhibition and celebrate Mexican culture and traditions at several events held in collaboration with Mexican artists and cultural organizations:
- Cinco de Mayo / Sunday, May 5, from noon to 4 pm
- Block Party on the Pointe / Saturday, June 15, from 2 pm to 10 pm
- Family Sundays / Sundays, from July 7 through August 18, from 1 pm to 4 pm

Lectures
To delve further into the topic of the temporary exhibition Olmecs and the Civilizations of the Gulf of Mexico, Pointe-à-Callière is presenting a series of three lectures exploring various aspects and themes addressed in the exhibition:
- Discovering the Olmecs / Thursday, May 16 at 7 pm
- The Evolution of Corn and its Importance in America / Thursday, August 15 at 7 pm
- Ancient Mesoamerica / Thursday, September 12 at 7 pm
Explore the program on Pointe-à-Callière’s website.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The exhibition Olmecs and the Civilizations of the Gulf of Mexico is produced by Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s Archaeology and History Complex, in collaboration with the Secretaría de Cultura – Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia in Mexico.

The exhibition is presented by Desjardins, and through a partnership with Air Canada Cargo, Tourisme Montréal, Hôtel InterContinental Montréal, and La Presse. The Museum sincerely thanks its lenders, sponsors, and partners.

ABOUT POINTE-À-CALLIÈRE, MONTRÉAL ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY COMPLEX

Inaugurated in 1992, on the city’s 350th anniversary, Pointe-à-Callière is today the largest archaeology museum in Canada and the busiest history museum in Montréal. Rising above a concentrated number of historic and archaeological sites of national significance—including the birthplace of Montréal—, the Museum has a mission to preserve its collections and to further knowledge, while showcasing and fostering an appreciation for Montréal’s archaeological and historical heritage. This mission is carried out through various activities focused on conservation, research, presentation, education, and inclusion, along with community initiatives benefiting both Montrealers and visitors to the city.

Click on images to enlarge them.

All Photos @ Nadia Slejskova

For more information on the current exhibitions, activities and programs, visit the PAC Museum's website.

This article's dedicated internet address, or click on the title above the very first photo.