In the same area, four (4) attractions have been grouped to form the Space for Life and includes the following sites: the Biodome, the Planetarium, the Biosphere and the Botanical Garden with or without the Insectarium. You can buy combo tickets to save on your visit cost.

Biodôme

Since 1992, the Biodôme has brought together different environments under one roof and presents different animal and plant species associated with five (5) different climates. The museum is located in one of the buildings built for the 1976 Summer Olympics. It was the velodrome where the cycling and judo events took place. The work of the French architect Roger Taillibert and was preserved by converting it into a museum.

The Biodôme just reopened in 2021 after the indoor nature museum underwent renovations. For several years, the Biodôme has welcomed visitors but is particularly popular with young families. If you have visited in the past, the concept is very similar with the subdivision into five (5) ecosystems (Tropical Rainforest, Laurentian Maple Forest, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Labrador Coast, Sub-Antarctic Islands) where you play search and find. Although the site is more modern, the spaces are well ventilated, the animals are sometimes difficult to spot. The presence of the staff can completely change your experience by pointing out the hiding place of the day of certain shy mammals.

Botanical Garden / Insectarium

During the 1976 Olympics the grounds of the garden was used for the 20K walk and a run.

This large green area facing the Olympic Stadium has been giving full attention to plant life for years. The idea started back in the early 1930’s and the concept has grown to become a beautiful diversified collection of plants and trees. 

On the grounds, you will find different outdoor theme gardens as well as greenhouses.  Walking the outdoor paths, you will encounter the toxic plants garden, the food garden, the medicinal plants garden and way way more.

There are three (3) special cultural areas to focus on: Chinese Garden with its bonsai, the Japanese with the Koi pond and the tea ceremony and the First Nation with some totem and native trees.

On this site, you can add the option of visiting the Insectarium. It is currently closed until spring 2021 due to major renovations. The 1990 museum is meant to help us understand the crucial role of insects in our ecology. They had an impressive collection of butterflies. We will have to wait to see the new place in 2021.

Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium

Since 2013, Montreal has a completely new planetarium museum located next to the Olympic Stadium and the Biodome.

The installation has two theatres as well as an exhibit area on space and astronomy. The last time we tried to go, we were not the only ones to have this idea so we left.

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