Which ecosystems are represented inside the Biodome?

The venue recreates a tropical rainforest, a Laurentian maple forest, a Gulf of St. Lawrence estuary, the Labrador Coast, and Sub-Antarctic Islands.

What was the original purpose of the building?

French architect Roger Taillibert designed the structure as a velodrome and judo facility for Olympic competitions prior to its conversion into a biodome.

What languages are supported on the audio guides?

Rented audio devices offer commentary in English, French, and Spanish for adults, as well as English and French for children.

What is featured on the upper mezzanine?

The upper mezzanine hosts a permanent exhibition detailing internal facility operations alongside viewing areas overlooking several biomes.

Montréal · Canada

Montreal Biodome: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Winters in Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve leave few green refuges, making this former Olympic venue a regular indoor shelter from the sub-zero months outside.

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Now in the cityMontreal Biodomelocal time on site Around here3

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Within two hours

Christ Church Cathedral≈ 30 min Tour de la Bourse≈ 30 min Montreal Arena≈ 30 min Montreal Holocaust Museum≈ 30 min

About the place

Constructed inside an Olympic cycling venue, the complex maintains distinct American biomes under one roof.

French architect Roger Taillibert originally designed the dome as a combined velodrome and judo hall for the Olympic Games in the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough. Following a horticultural exhibition on the site, city planners converted the sports venue into an indoor environmental museum replicating distinct biomes from across the Americas under a single ceiling.

Read on

The facility features specialized pathways through Laurentian maple stands, high-humidity tropical forest canopies, an ice tunnel opening into Sub-Antarctic islands, and coastal marine tanks. An upper mezzanine provides views across the habitats and houses exhibits detailing the mechanics required to sustain these ecosystems.

Associations

Olympic VelodromeThe concrete structure originally hosted track cycling and judo events.
Sub-Antarctic Ice TunnelChilled passage connects temperate forest pathways to polar bird habitats.
Relocation HazardsTemporary habitat mesh and wild predators caused animal losses during past renovations.
Canopy WalkwaysElevated footpaths run through the tropical and maple forest exhibits.

Facts

Architect Roger Taillibert designed the original building as an Olympic velodrome and judo venue.
The facility recreates distinct American ecosystems, including tropical rainforest and Laurentian maple forest.
A dedicated ice tunnel leads visitors into the Sub-Antarctic Islands enclosure.
An upper mezzanine exhibition displays the technical systems used to operate the biomes.

Updated September 21, 2026Source: Wikipedia

Montreal Biodome: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around3

Constructed inside an Olympic cycling venue, the complex maintains distinct American biomes under one roof.

Getting there and staying

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