Since its invention in 1893 by George Ferris, the Ferris Wheel has remained a timeless attraction. Almost every big city has its own; you just have to think of New York, London, Seattle or Paris and now Montreal.
From high up, you can get views of the city that you don’t get anywhere else.
And since this summer will be dedicated to local tourism, why not reclaim our city and enjoy a great activity that showcases it? I am talking here of course about a ride on the Grande Roue de Montréal!
A panoramic view of Montreal
Did you know that from its 60 meters, the Grande Roue de Montréal is the tallest in Canada? From its summit and on a clear day, you can have a 360-degree view that stretches for 28 kilometers!
I had the opportunity to try it out during the day, in the new VIP cabin. Each tour lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, all cabins are air-conditioned for the summer and heated in the winter.
But the VIP cabin stands out with its very comfortable leather armchairs and above all, its glass floor which adds a “je ne sais quoi” to the experience.
It’s really neat to be able to observe the city from above and then see the Ferris Wheel structure and the ground beneath your feet.
Little chills await those who are afraid of heights like me!
In turn, we see downtown Montreal and Mount Royal, then the Bonsecours market, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, Île Ste-Hélène and Notre-Dame.
We rarely have the opportunity to observe the Bonsecours Market from this angle.
The view was splendid during the day so I can only imagine how magnificent it must be during sunset or in the evening, when the Ferris Wheel, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge and all the buildings in the city are illuminated.
Lunch break at Bistro de la Grande Roue
I ended the visit with a stop at Bistro de la Grande Roue. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the catering offer.
We’re far from the usual junk food stalls found in amusement parks.
First of all, let’s mention the very large and beautiful terrace on the 2nd floor which allows you to admire la Grande Roue and the river while sharing a delicious meal.
The catering offer is mainly divided into two. There is a café that serves pastries as well as homemade banana or carrot breads.
A variety of salads and sandwiches that rely on local produce complete it all, as well as ice cream and iced coffees for the summer.
Then we also have the bistro which serves a menu of tapas and main courses. I had the opportunity to taste a nice preview of the dishes on the new bistro menu in picnic mode (the terraces were not yet open) and it was delicious!
On the menu, we also find fish n ‘chips, shrimp tacos, burgers as well as a nice variety of juices, drinks and mocktails (because the site does not serve alcohol).
A great program for the summer
A visit to la Grande Roue de Montréal is not just about getting into a cabin. Throughout the summer, various activities will be offered on the site, whether you have a ticket for the Ferris Wheel or not.
For example, starting in June, yoga sessions will be offered on the Grande Roue site, on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m., on a voluntary basis.
Sundays will offer entertainment and activities for the whole family, then Fridays will be under a BBQ theme.
From June 16, it’s mocktail Wednesdays where they will offer a choice of original non-alcoholic drinks to taste on the premises, sometimes with a guest mixologist or in the form of a tasting.
A trip to the Big Wheel is a great stop to make during an outing with family, friends or as a couple in Old Montreal.
Different packages and prices are offered depending on whether you are a family, a group, whether you want to book a full cabin or for an event.
It’s also a great idea for a romantic outing for a date, to make a big request, to celebrate a birthday or a bachelorette party. It is also possible to reserve part of the site for a private event (with an alcohol permit in this case).
La Grande Roue de Montréal
62 de la Commune East, Montreal
Informations and tickets
Thank you to La Grande Roue de Montréal for the warm welcome. Although I have been invited free of charge, the opinions expressed in this article remain my own.