Old Montreal: Vintage Cadillac Tour & Notre-Dame Basilica

One Hour in a Convertible Cadillac Through 17th-Century Montreal

You ride in a private vintage Cadillac convertible for one hour through Old Montreal's 17th-century streets, stopping at Notre-Dame Basilica, Bonsecours Market, and Place Jacques-Cartier. Your local guide shares the real history and current recommendations for dining and events. The fixed hour means you cover the highlights without a walking tour's pace, and the small group size keeps it personal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Old Montreal in vintage Cadillac

• Drive through Old Montreal streets
• Pass by Bonsecours Market
• View Notre-Dame Basilica
• See Place Jacques Cartier
• Visit Montreal History and Archaeology Museum
• Pass Habitat 67 building
• Drive along St-Jacques Street

The experience

Our guide met us at the curb and the first thing she did was ask where we were from, then immediately started pointing out details we'd have walked past: the way the cobblestones on Place Jacques-Cartier still follow the original 1600s layout, how the light hits the Notre-Dame Basilica's twin spires differently depending on the time of day. That's the thing about a private tour in a vintage Cadillac through Old Montreal: you're not following a script. The top goes down, the city opens up around you, and someone who actually knows the place gets to steer what you notice.

The route covers the real heart of it: Bonsecours Market with its copper dome and the artisans still selling inside, the basilica itself (you stop long enough to photograph it and hear the actual history, not just the highlight reel), then you're gliding through the narrow streets where the architecture jumps centuries in a single block. St-Jacques Street comes up, and the guide talks about when this was Canada's financial center, when the banks here mattered more than anything in Toronto. Habitat 67 appears: that strange, stacked apartment complex from the 1960s that still looks like it landed from another era. Place Jacques-Cartier pulls you into the energy of the neighborhood, the one spot where you feel the old city actually breathing. The whole thing takes an hour, which sounds short until you realize you've covered ground a walking tour would stretch into three.

What makes this different from a bus tour is the scale and the car itself. You're four people maximum, not forty. The Cadillac is the real deal: vintage, convertible, the kind of thing that makes you feel like you're in a different decade the moment you sit down. The guide feeds you insider recommendations for restaurants, bars, events: the stuff that changes month to month and never makes it into guidebooks. If you're tight on time but don't want to miss Old Montreal, this is how you do it without feeling rushed.

What’s included

Private use of a vintage convertible Cadillac, a local guide for the full hour, and stops at Notre-Dame Basilica, Bonsecours Market, Place Jacques-Cartier, Habitat 67, and the historic streets of Old Montreal. The guide also provides insider tips on restaurants, bars, and current events in the neighborhood.

Options for this experience

2 options

Meet at the official start pointGuide in English or French · 10 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 19:00Meet at the official start point in Old-Montreal, where the address appears in the listing and in the confirmation email.

With Hotel Pick-upGuide in English or French · 10 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 19:00Pickup from your hotel or Airbnb is included, in certain areas of Downtown, Old-Montreal or Griffintown: we collect you there and drop you back off afterward.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to Sunday10 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 19:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Throwback Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Old Montreal's main landmarks in one hour without arranging your own transport or walking: the Cadillac and the guide's knowledge compress what would take a half-day walking tour into a single, comfortable ride.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many people fit in the Cadillac?

Up to four passengers per vehicle. It's a private tour, so it's just your group.

Do we get out of the car at any point?

The tour is primarily a drive-through experience. You stop for photos and viewing at key landmarks like Notre-Dame Basilica and Place Jacques-Cartier, but most of the journey is from the car.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The vehicle and all areas visited are wheelchair accessible. Let the operator know in advance if you need assistance.

Can children ride along?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

What's included in the price?

Use of the vintage Cadillac convertible and the local guide for the full hour. Entry fees to attractions are not included.

How do I get picked up?

Confirm your hotel or meeting location when you book. The operator will arrange pickup details with you.

What if I want to spend more time at one spot?

This is a fixed one-hour tour with set stops. For a longer or customized route, ask about extended tour options when booking.