Watch a play, see a classic movie and browse the collection of a large library in Montréal’s student haven.

Named after the university district in Paris, the Quartier Latin is an area in northeastern Montréal that has long been known for its large student population. Today, the Université du Québec à Montréal floods the neighbourhood with tenants looking for cheap rents and culture. As a result, this is a neighbourhood with a rich performing arts scene, several movie theatres and more than 50 restaurants.

The Quartier Latin is a small rectangular area around Saint-Denis Street to the west of the Université du Québec à Montréal. Walk along Saint-Denis Street to find boutique stores and street art covering the façades.

Watch a movie screening at Cinémathèque québécoise, a movie conservatory with an extensive collection of movies and movie memorabilia. While most of the screenings are in French, classic English films are common as well. Tour the permanent exhibition, which deals with the close ties between special effects and cinema. Learn about the history of special effects and how the special effects in many famous films were produced.

Théâtre Saint-Denis began as a movie theatre in 1916, but in 1980 it was dedicated solely to the performing arts. Watch a play or a concert at the century-old theatre. During the Just for Laughs festival, which is centred to the southeast, Saint-Denis hosts stand-up comedy as well.

Tour Notre-Dame des Lourdes Chapel on the east side of the Quartier Latin. This late-19th-century church features several brightly colored marble arches inside. Notice the golden Madonna statue on the front of the church’s roof. The shining, black dome is visible throughout the neighbourhood.

Visit the Grande Bibliothèque (Great Library) to see where the Latin Quarter’s students study. Peruse more than 2 million books and 4 million documents with the help of a free audio guide.

Reach the Quartier Latin through the subway station on Berri Street, which borders the neighbourhood to the north. Buses run along Saint-Denis Street as well.