The Legacy of the Montreal Olympic Games: A Journey Through Time to the Sites of 1976

The 1976 Summer Olympics took place in Montreal. Around 50 years later, we went looking for clues in the Canadian metropolis. We were driven by the question: What remains of the Olympic flair of the past? Is a visit to the old competition venues still worthwhile today?

The Olympic Park (Parc Olympique) – A Concrete Giant in the East

The Olympic Park is located in the east of the city. Here, you can still discover many of the futuristic buildings that were designed at the time by the French architect Roger Taillibert.

Our tour begins at the Pie-IX metro station (green line). As soon as we emerged from underground, we were already standing on the edge of the Esplanade. The first impression: The square is huge, concreted, and extremely expansive. Right in front of us majestically rose the famous Olympic Stadium (Le Stade Olympique).

Place Nadia Comaneci: A Place for Winners

In 2017, the former “Place des Vainqueurs” was renamed “Place Nadia Comaneci”. A bronze plaque now honors Nadia Comaneci and all medal winners of the Montreal Olympic Games. The large Olympic rings are also located here – undoubtedly the most important photo spot for all tourists who want to capture their memory of the Olympic Park.

Modern Use: Vans Skatepark & Dillon Ojo Snowpark

This facility is an excellent example of modern park repurposing. What is a popular skate park in the summer transforms into the Dillon Ojo Snowpark in the winter (from January to March). There are eight different obstacles here (rails, jumps), and the best part: everyone can use the facility for free. It is great to see how the area is being enlivened.

Le Sifflet: Pure Brutalism at the “Whistle”

To be honest, we didn’t really understand the “purpose” of this structure at first.

The massive concrete tunnel somewhat resembles a whistle. Originally, it was probably intended to serve as an entrance. However, to this day, it is not entirely clear to me what exactly it was an entrance to. Today, however, it is a well-known spot for photographers seeking the special brutalist aesthetics of the 70s.

The Montreal Olympic Stadium: Architecture of Superlatives

With its elliptical shape and distinctive inclined tower, the Olympic Stadium is definitely something special. It is a building of superlatives and constant problems.

The Neverending Story of the Stadium Roof

The history of the roof is a story in itself. The original design called for a retractable roof that was to be spectacularly lowered by cables from the tower. But this roof was not even finished in time for the 1976 Olympic Games.

It wasn’t until 1987 that an orange roof was finally installed. However, this did not withstand Montreal’s climatic conditions. Under the winter snow load, the roof tore several times. In 1998, it was then replaced by a fixed, non-retractable roof, which also showed structural weaknesses.

During our visit to the city, there were again several cranes at the Olympic Stadium, as another attempt is being made to build a structure that will roof the stadium permanently and securely. A German architectural firm was commissioned to implement this project. The goal is clear: to make the stadium fit for the future and ensure safe use even in the Canadian winter.

Despite the structural challenges, the stadium is a frequently used venue for major events. Visitors interested in the architecture of the Olympic Games can book guided tours.

The Montreal Tower (La Tour de Montréal)

At 165 meters, the tower is the tallest inclined tower in the world. It leans at a spectacular angle of 45 degrees (for comparison: the Leaning Tower of Pisa only leans by approx. 4 degrees). Viewed from below, the structure is truly gigantic. I particularly like the curved and harmonious shape, which gives the massive concrete a certain lightness.

The tower acts as a static counterweight to the stadium roof. During our visit, the tower and the funicular taking you up there were closed due to the construction work on the stadium roof. After the renovations, you will be able to take the ride up to an observation deck again. On clear days, you are supposedly able to see up to 80 kilometers away, across the St. Lawrence River all the way to the Laurentian Mountains.

From Velodrome to Biodôme: The Most Successful Repurposing

The Biodôme represents what is arguably the most successful repurposing of an Olympic sports venue worldwide. Originally designed as a velodrome for the cycling competitions and judo during the 1976 Games, the hall was converted into a kind of zoo in 1992.

As we entered the spacious entrance area, we were very amazed by the sheer size and height of the dome. At first, there is no hint of the new use here; only the ticket area and a self-service restaurant can be seen. But the actual visit to the Biodôme leads on a fascinating “hike” through five ecosystems of the Americas:

• Tropical Rainforest: Genuine tropical heat and humidity prevail here. Parrots fly freely, capybaras and sloths move through the undergrowth.
• The Laurentian Maple Forest: A replica of the forests of Quebec. The temperature and lighting change here in sync with the real seasons outside. You can see lynxes, beavers, and otters.
• The Gulf of St. Lawrence: A huge aquarium (2.5 million liters) that shows the underwater world of the estuary, including sturgeons and rays. Visitors look at the water surface from above and then go “underwater”.
• The Labrador Coast: A rocky landscape with puffins and auks.
• The Sub-Antarctic Islands: Home

Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium: Reaching for the Stars

Right next to the Biodôme, we noticed two silver, cone-shaped buildings pointing towards the sky like telescopes. That is the Planetarium. In two different domed theaters, you can make yourself comfortable on beanbags and watch multimedia shows about the universe, the northern lights, or the search for extraterrestrial life. A great contrast to the historical concrete.

The Olympic Swimming Center

Directly under the tower is the entrance to the Centre Sportif. This is one of the few venues that is still used today just as it was during the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Back then, the swimming and diving competitions took place here.

The doors were open, and from the entrance hall, we reached the large grandstands of the indoor pool. I got goosebumps thinking about what the atmosphere must have been like here during the competitions back then – looking into the hall surely excites me today just as much as the visitors back then.

The best part about it: Today, this pool is open to the public. Visitors can swim in the very same lanes where Olympic records were set. The facility features a 50-meter competition pool, a training pool, and the spectacular diving pool with the 10-meter tower. Too bad we didn’t have our swimming gear with us; I would have loved to swim a few laps in a real Olympic pool!

Stade Saputo & Maurice-Richard Arena

We strolled further across the Esplanade and reached Stade Saputo. This is the home of the soccer club CF Montréal. It is much more open and smaller than the Olympic Stadium and lies directly in its shadow.

Also very close by is the Aréna Maurice-Richard, named after the Canadiens ice hockey legend.

Botanical Garden & Insectarium: The Green Finale

To finish off, we crossed Rue Sherbrooke (directly opposite the stadium). The Jardin botanique is located here.

It is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. The Chinese Garden (with pagodas and ponds) and the Japanese Garden are absolutely worth seeing. The newly renovated Insectarium is also located on these grounds. Right next to the Botanical Garden is a large park with wide meadows and shady trees that invite you to have a picnic. For us, this was the right, relaxing end to our Olympic time travel in Montreal.

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Published 12 August 2026