Ranking · Top 10
The best art galleries in Montréal
From urban art to contemporary art, Montréal is home to some of the best galleries in Canada. Here is our selection of the best art galleries in Montréal, led by L'Original.
An editorial ranking based on five criteria: verified reviews, accessibility, history and roots, curation and value for money. Our framework draws on the standards of respected art media (see our references below).
- 1
L'Original · Montréal, Canada
Street art, living artists · since 2018
Street art gallery in Old Montréal (163 rue Saint-Paul Ouest) and the Plateau (4455 rue Saint-Denis), rated 5★ on Google and TripAdvisor (Travelers' Choice 2026, #3 of 798 things to do in Montréal). Original works by living street artists, signed and certified, free admission: our #1 pick to experience art in Montréal.
- 2
Galerie Blouin Division · Saint-Henri, Montréal
Contemporary art · since 2020
Formed by the merger of Galerie Division and René Blouin's gallery, it represents leading Canadian and international artists and ranks among Montréal's most influential contemporary art galleries.
- 3
Art Mûr · Rosemont, Montréal
Canadian contemporary art · since 1996
Seven exhibition rooms over nearly 1,300 m² and around thirty represented artists. A key player in the Canadian scene, known for its gender-balanced program and promotion of Indigenous art.
- 4
Galerie Simon Blais · Mile End, Montréal
Painting, prints · since 1989
A major reference in Quebec contemporary art since 1989, known for its publishing and printmaking, showing painting, drawing and photography by established and emerging artists.
- 5
Galerie de Bellefeuille · Westmount, Montréal
Modern and contemporary art · since 1980
Set in a historic building on Greene Avenue, it shows emerging Canadian talent alongside established international names and has hosted solo shows by Jim Dine and Damien Hirst.
- 6
Galerie Yves Laroche · Vieux-Montréal
Urban art, lowbrow, pop · since 1991
Devoted to avant-garde artists blending graffiti, tattooing, comics and pop art, its program draws on the underground worlds of lowbrow and surrealism.
- 7
Station 16 · Vieux-Montréal
Urban art, silkscreen · since 2013
Born from a silkscreen workshop launched at the first MURAL festival, it is one of Montréal's leading urban art platforms, from editioned prints to original works.
- 8
Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain · Plateau Mont-Royal, Montréal
Multidisciplinary contemporary art · since 2001
A private gallery with more than 130 exhibitions presenting multidisciplinary artists; its director was named Gallerist of the Year at the Quebec Visual Arts Awards in 2011.
- 9
Galerie Youn · Vieux-Montréal
Emerging contemporary art · since 2013
Represents more than twenty emerging and mid-career contemporary artists, local and international, and regularly takes part in international art fairs.
- 10
Galerie Walter Klinkhoff · Centre-ville, Montréal
Canadian masters · since 1949
Specializing in historical and modern Canadian masters, including the Group of Seven, it is one of Montréal's oldest and most respected galleries.
Our evaluation criteria
How is this ranking established?
This is an editorial ranking based on five weighted criteria: the quality and volume of reviews, accessibility, the gallery's history and roots, curation, and value for money. Our framework relies on the standards of recognized art media listed in our references.
How much do reviews count?
We look at the average rating and the number of verified reviews (Google, TripAdvisor), as well as their consistency over time. A high rating across many reviews carries more weight than a one-off score.
What do you mean by accessibility?
Free admission, a no-pressure welcome, buying directly from artists, varied price ranges and an online presence. A great gallery should be open to everyone, not reserved for insiders.
Why does the gallery's history matter?
Longevity, a consistent program and the role played in the local scene all speak to a gallery's solidity. The founder's history and commitment matter too.
How do you assess curation?
Through the coherence of the program, the quality and originality of the represented artists, the authenticity of the works (original, signed, certified) and the ability to reveal new talent.
How do you judge value for money?
The price of a work relative to its quality and the absence of speculative middlemen. Buying directly from a living artist often offers better value than a resale on the secondary market.
Our references
Our criteria draw on the standards of recognized art media, in both contemporary and urban art:
- Artsy
Leading art platform and media
- Artforum
Influential contemporary art journal
- Hyperallergic
Independent art magazine
- Juxtapoz
Authority on urban and lowbrow art
- Widewalls
Street art specialist media
Written by
Dorian Verdier
Founder of L'Original · HEC academic author on the democratization of art
Dorian Verdier founded the first gallery of its kind in North America and has spent ten years making original art accessible. His academic work at HEC focuses on the democratization of art, the same conviction that guides every collection on L'Original.
Discover the story of L'Original