The 3 best ways to explore Greater Montréal with the REM
REM in service
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With its 67-km route, the REM will allow urban dwellers to enjoy the city's attractions and discover new destinations in the Greater Montréal area. Here's a snapshot of three ways to explore the city with the REM, starting in 2024.
Landmarks of Greater Montréal and destinations linked by the REM – illustration created by our August illustrator, Victor Garibay.
1. Aboard the REM: a breathtaking view of Greater Montréal
Since the REM travels mainly above ground, it will offer superb views of the city. Special care was taken in designing the cars precisely for this purpose. The front wraparound window was maximized to give passengers a panoramic view of the city from the front of the train car.
The front wraparound window on the REM car is designed to allow children to see outside too. It is one of the largest wraparound windows designed for this model of car.
After crossing the Samuel De Champlain Bridge, with its spectacular views, the REM will traverse an elevated structure in the Pointe-Saint-Charles sector. At a height of about ten meters, this structure will allow passengers to admire the downtown landmarks, including 1000 De La Gauchetière, Place Ville-Marie, Mount Royal and more.
For urban explorers, the ideal station for stopping and taking iconic shots of Montréal will be Griffintown-Bernard-Landry. It's just a stone's throw from the Bonaventure entrance to the city with its impressive public art, the Farine Five Roses sign, and the Habitat 67 architectural landmark, which is just a 3-km walk.
Top 5 views and distinctive segments of the REM route
- Crossing of Samuel De Champlain Bridge
- Bridge crossings on the North Shore
- View of the city and Mount Royal, in the the Saint-Laurent borough (toward downtown)
- Breathtaking view of downtown at the bend in Marc-Cantin Street in Pointe-Saint-Charles (toward downtown)
- View of Farine Five Roses and the industrial area in the city's southern sector (toward the South Shore)
REM map: 5 distinctive views along the route.
2. Nature: enjoy the outdoors with the REM
The REM offers far more than transit to and from work. It’s a gateway to the great outdoors: biking, canoeing, pedal boating—you name it! Whether you're looking to kayak around Île-des-Sœurs, canoe on Mille-Îles River or bike in the Bois-de-Liesse nature park, REM users will have several new outdoor destinations to enjoy.
The Ville de Montréal plans to open one of Canada's largest municipal parks with the Grand parc de l’Ouest project, located near the REM's future Anse-à-l’Orme station. With a surface area of more than 3,000 hectares (30 km²), the park will include the Anse-à-l'Orme, Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard, Parc agricole du Bois-de-la-Roche, Cap-Saint-Jacques and Rapides-du-Cheval-Blanc parks.
Top 3 major parks served by the REM
- Future Grand parc de l’Ouest (Anse-à-l’Orme station)
- Mount Royal Park (McGill station)
- Parc-Nature du Bois-de-Liesse (Sunnybrooke station)
REM map: 3 major parks linked by the REM.
3. Entertainment: shop and have fun with the REM
For family fun and activities, the Anse-à-l’Orme station will be located right next to the Ecomuseum Zoo, the one and only outdoor zoo on the island of Montréal.
Canadiens fans can stop at the Gare centrale station to cheer on their favourite players.
The REM will also be providing more shopping and entertainment destinations, on both sides of the Du Quartier station on the South Shore. Or stop at Fairview-Pointe-Claire station on the West Island for access to multiple stores. McGill station, connected to Montréal's underground network, will bring you to the heart of downtown, with its wealth of restaurants and entertainment.
Top 3 REM stations for entertainment
- McGill, in the heart of downtown with its many attractions
- Bonaventure – Central Station, connected to the Bell Centre
- Du Quartier, connected to a host of entertainment businesses