Château Dufresne: A Glimpse into Montreal's Gilded Age
Step back in time at Château Dufresne, a Beaux-Arts mansion showcasing Montreal's early 20th-century opulence and cultural history.
Château Dufresne, also known as the Dufresne House, is a historic house museum located in Montreal's Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough. Constructed from 1915 to 1918, the mansion was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by Marius Dufresne and Parisian architect Jules Renard, drawing inspiration from the Petit Trianon at the Palace of Versailles. The 40-room building served as the residence for brothers Marius, an architect and engineer, and Oscar, a businessman who both played crucial roles in the history of the city of Maisonneuve. A visit to Château Dufresne offers a glimpse into the private world of a middle-class francophone family from the early 20th century. The interiors reflect the brothers' taste for monumental architecture and opulent, avant-garde domestic installations. Visitors can explore living rooms, halls, an Oriental smoking room, offices, and winter gardens, discovering masterpieces by Italian-born artist Guido Nincheri and interior decorations by Belgian painter Alfred Faniel. Beyond its architectural and artistic merits, Château Dufresne has played a significant role in Montreal's cultural history. From 1965 to 1968, it housed the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, becoming a cultural focal point during Quebec's Quiet Revolution. Today, the Château Dufresne Museum presents both permanent and temporary exhibitions focusing on heritage, arts, and architecture.
Local tips
- Visit during the week for a quieter experience.
- The main entrance is located at the garden level behind the museum, accessible from the garden gate on boulevard Pie-IX or via avenue Jeanne-d'Arc.
- Free parking is available for visitors, but spaces are limited.
A brief summary to Château Dufresne
- 2929 Av. Jeanne-d'Arc, Montreal, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Quebec, H1W 3W2, CA
- +1514-259-9201
Getting There
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Public Transport
To reach Château Dufresne via public transport, take the Green Line to Pie-IX station. Use the western exit and walk for about 4 minutes to the museum. Alternatively, you can take the Green Line to Joliette station, then walk east on Rue Joliette, turn left onto Avenue Jeanne-d'Arc, and walk for about 10 minutes. A single fare is $3.75 CAD.
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Taxi
From downtown Montreal, a taxi ride to Château Dufresne typically takes about 10 minutes. Taxi fares in Montreal have a base fee of $4.10 CAD, with an additional $2.05 CAD per kilometer. A 5km ride would cost around $13 CAD. Expect to pay between $20 and $25 CAD for a taxi from downtown.
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Walking
If you are in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve area, you can walk to Château Dufresne. Head to Avenue Jeanne-d'Arc and walk until you reach 2929 Av. Jeanne-d'Arc. The museum will be on your right.
