Saint Helen's Island

Saint Helen's Island is a river island in the Saint Lawrence near the centre of Montreal, covering several hectares of green spaces, walkways and public buildings. The island houses museums, recreational facilities and remnants of military structures scattered among parks and lookouts over the water.

The British army purchased the island in 1818 and built a fort between 1820 and 1824 to strengthen defences along the river. During Expo 67, the site was greatly expanded and reshaped, using soil from metro construction to create new areas for pavilions and facilities.

The place takes its name from Helena de Champlain, wife of French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who lived in the 17th century. Today, various monuments and plaques recall the 1967 World's Fair, when the island became the centre of an international gathering and took its present shape.

Visitors reach the island via the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the Concorde Bridge, or by metro at Jean-Drapeau station on the yellow line. In summer, the grounds are easy to walk or cycle around, while in winter some areas become less accessible due to ice and snow.

The Stewart Museum sits inside the old fort walls from the 19th century and displays collections on military and everyday history. The geodesic dome of the Biosphere, a leftover from Expo 67, is now an environmental museum and visible from far away.