Viewpoint on Saint Lawrence River

We’ve purposefully chosen this place for you because it offers such a great view! Of course, the large Ferris wheel behind you is another great way to rise above the city and enjoy a panoramic view of Montréal. But from here, on the footbridges along the Saint Lawrence, you already have front-row seats to admire the river and Saint Helen’s Island stretching out before you. Can you see the large dome peeking through the trees? That’s the Biosphere, one of Montréal’s most iconic attractions. A greenhouse, aquarium, and zoo all at once, it’s a space dedicated to raising awareness about the environment by helping people appreciate and understand nature, with the hope that they’ll want to protect it afterwards. Saint Helen’s Island was named in 1611 by Samuel de Champlain after his wife Hélène. Along with its neighbor, Notre-Dame Island, they form the Parc Jean Drapeau. Interestingly, this island is not natural as it was built from 15 million tons of rock excavated during the construction of the Montréal metro. Though nobody lives on these islands, they’re packed with tourist attractions. In addition to the Biosphere, you’ll find the historical Saint Helen’s Fort, built by the British, and La Ronde amusement park. You’ll also find the weekly Piknic Électronik music festival, a Sunday tradition with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. You can access these islands via the Concorde Bridge to your right, the Jacques Cartier Bridge to your left, or the Jean-Drapeau metro station. If you come back at night, pass by the Jacques Cartier Bridge—it’s illuminated according to the seasons. In fact, it’s the world’s first connected bridge! Each hour at night, a short animation plays on the structure, informing on what’s happening in Montréal in real time. The bridge acts as a kind of urban barometer, revealing data such as weather conditions, traffic, major events of the day, and trending media topics. This ambitious $40 million project offers Montréal a monumental light sculpture—its very own symbol, just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the London Eye, or Sydney’s Harbour Bridge.