Visit a museum that’s 100% Montréal!
The MEM - Centre des mémoires montréalaises is a museum entirely dedicated to Montréal and Montrealers. It’s a place to discover the city through the stories of its people. This one-of-a-kind museum showcases the voices, journeys, and diversity of Montrealers past and present. Its
immersive, interactive exhibitions offer glimpses of everyday life, inviting you to explore the city from the inside.
Located in the heart of downtown in the Quartier des spectacles, the MEM is the place to experience what life in Montréal is all about.
It’s a must-see during your stay in town!
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs1HVOWqmb0
What awaits you at the MEM
- A permanent exhibition dedicated to Montréal and its identity
- Detours - Urban Experiences: an immersive exhibition revealing little-known facets of Montréal
- Free and varied temporary exhibitions
- A setting inspired by typical Montréal features, from neon signs to alleyways
- Inspiring stories reflecting the city’s cultural richness
- A gift shop-café where you can stop for a snack and shop for Montréal-style products and souvenirs
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvC1E6SwQLU
EXHIBITION:
Active Grieving
The Aesthetic Activism of ACT UP Montréal
From July 31, 2026 to February 14, 2027
In the face of government inaction during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the early 1990s, ACT UP Montréal (short for AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) took to the streets with a unique approach to activism blending radical queer politics, stark graphics, performance, and a set of distinctly Québécois references. From their first public manifestation in 1990 until the group’s dissolution in 1993, the members of ACT UP Montréal not only drew attention to the mishandling of the pandemic via brilliantly executed protest actions; they also led the charge in the distribution of safer sex materials that didn’t shy away from the realities of Quebecers’ sex lives. Their primary goals were educational and legislative: They demanded easy access to relevant sexual health information along with full drug coverage and proper medical care for people living with the virus. In just three short years, they made a palpable impact on street activism and medical law in Québec.
This exhibition tells their story, from the milieu in which they were formed to their lasting legacy in Montréal, compiled through extensive interviews with surviving members, photographs taken by ACT UP Montréal’s official photographer, René LeBoeuf, and artifacts drawn from the Archives gaies du Québec.
* Abréviation de AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power.
Good to know
- Centrally located, accessible
- Free Wi-Fi, cloakroom, and lockers
- Food court (Le Central in the same building)