Montréal en Histoires

What Montréal en Histoires does

Montréal en Histoires is a Canadian non-profit organization headquartered in Montréal that produces and distributes digital cultural experiences celebrating the history of Montréal and, more recently, Quebec regions. Its core proposition is a free cross-platform mobile application (iOS and Android) delivering geo-located audio narration in four languages (French, English, Spanish, Mandarin), themed historical circuits, augmented-reality overlays, virtual-reality terminals, podcasts and educational content, all synchronized with the flagship Cité Mémoire outdoor video-projection experience — billed as the world's largest outdoor projection circuit — projected nightly on the walls and trees of Old Montréal, at Champ-de-Mars, in Downtown, at Pointe-aux-Trembles, on the glass atrium of Complexe Desjardins and inside the Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth hotel. Sub-brands include Cité Mémoire Charlevoix (2023 regional expansion), Cité Mémoire L'Assomption, INSITU (a 2023 AR-driven cultural-discovery app), Projeter Riopelle, the "Passé Date?" podcast (Prix Numix 2022), a gamified history quiz and a free School Zone educational platform with six learning-evaluation situations for Quebec high-school students.

Name

Montréal en Histoires

Legal name

Montréal en Histoires

Website

https://montrealenhistoires.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Montréal en Histoires is a Montréal-based non-profit that produces free digital cultural experiences about Montréal's history, centered on the Cité Mémoire outdoor video-projection circuit and a multilingual mobile app serving tourists, residents, Quebec high-school students and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural heritage experiences and digital historical tourism

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual Trade Shows & Expos (Digital Booths, Lead Capture) (MPAGAOAB)

Keywords

• Outdoor projection installations
• Cultural heritage content
• Augmented reality tours
• Mobile cultural apps
• Immersive history experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government grants and public funding: Public funding from municipal, provincial, and federal government sources. Initial Cité Mémoire project received 11M$ CAD combined from Ville de Montréal (5M$) and Government of Quebec (6M$) as part of the Montreal 375th anniversary legacy funding through the Entente Montréal 2025 and the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal.
2. Corporate sponsorships and partnerships: Sponsorship revenue from corporate partners including BMO Groupe financier, Molson Coors (John Molson circuit), Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth, CN, Complexe Desjardins, Air Canada, Panasonic, and other major Quebec and Canadian enterprises. Cited as winning the Grand Prix de la commandite awards for sponsorship activations.
3. Donations and legacy gifts (legs): Non-profit donation program with legacy giving opportunities ('legs') referenced in 375th anniversary press releases; multiple property owners and individuals listed as 'Propriétaires' supporting the organization.
4. Minority investment by Québecor: Québecor acquired a minority stake in Montréal en Histoires (referenced in the English partners page), providing capital investment in exchange for equity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Montréal en Histoires produces and distributes free digital cultural heritage experiences through a mobile application and outdoor nighttime projection circuits. Its flagship Cité Mémoire Montréal is billed as the largest video projection circuit in the world, projecting immersive tableaux on building walls and trees across Old Montreal, with synchronized multilingual narration. The organization also operates themed techno-historical walking circuits, AR/VR experiences, the INSITU mobile app, the Passé Date? podcast series, a School Zone educational platform, and dedicated projection installations at partner venues including the Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth hotel and Complexe Desjardins.

Product overview

Montréal en Histoires (MEH) is a non-profit digital content producer offering a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on a single free cross-platform mobile application (iOS/Android) that ties together its portfolio of historical and cultural experiences. The core flagship is Cité Mémoire Montréal, billed as the world's largest outdoor video-projection parcours, with geographic sub-products Cité Mémoire Charlevoix, Cité Mémoire L'Assomption and on-site sub-products Cité Mémoire Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth and Cité Mémoire Complexe Desjardins; the same MEH mobile app additionally powers the new INSITU application for digital cultural journeys and the Projeter Riopelle art-projection experience. Layered on top of the app are multiple add-on modules: thematic Parcours / Circuits (Ste-Catherine, CN railway, Molson, Stories and Bridges, Radio-Canada, Lachine, John Molson), the Balado "Passé Date?" podcast, the gamified Quiz / Montréal en Histoires Challenge, and the Zone scolaire / School Zone educational platform (six LES plus a media library). The app unifies all of these by delivering in-situ Cité Mémoire tableaux synchronized with narration, points of interest, augmented reality overlays and virtual reality experiences streamed over the MTLWiFi free public Wi-Fi network in Old Montréal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cité Mémoire: Nighttime immersive projections circuit in Vieux-Montréal, later extended to Pointe-aux-Trembles, Complexe Desjardins, the Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth, L'Assomption and Charlevoix.
• Insitu
• Passé Date?

Products and services

• Cité Mémoire Montréal Montréal en Histoires' flagship product and billed as the largest outdoor video-projection circuit in the world, created by Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon in collaboration with Michel Marc Bouchard. Nightly projections on the blind walls and trees of Old Montréal (Champ-de-Mars, downtown, and Pointe-aux-Trembles) tell the stories of Montréal through synchronized tableaux accessed via the mobile app. Aimed at tourists, Montrealers, and cultural visitors seeking a self-guided multilingual historical experience.
• Cité Mémoire Charlevoix Summer 2023 expansion of the Cité Mémoire concept to the Charlevoix region of Quebec, comprising two new nighttime multimedia attractions including Le Vol de l'Oiseau Mécanique and the Cité Mémoire Charlevoix tableau, offering a multimedia artistic, playful and poetic exploration of the region's heritage and history. Aimed at tourists visiting the Charlevoix region.
• Cité Mémoire L'Assomption (Pointe-aux-Trembles) New Cité Mémoire tableau "La Pointe de l'Île" installed at Pointe-aux-Trembles, extending the Cité Mémoire parcours eastward in collaboration with Développement économique de l'île. Aimed at tourists and residents in eastern Montreal.
• INSITU mobile application Standalone mobile application launched May 15, 2023 enabling users to discover a digital cultural journey through Montréal, complementing the existing Montréal en Histoires app. Aimed at tourists and Montrealers seeking an AR-enabled cultural discovery experience.
• Projeter Riopelle (Projecting Riopelle) Art projection experience dedicated to the work of Jean-Paul Riopelle, presented as part of the Montréal en Histoires digital arts catalog. Aimed at art enthusiasts and tourists interested in Quebec cultural heritage.
• Parcours / Circuits (Ste-Catherine, CN, Molson, Stories and Bridges, Radio-Canada, Lachine, John Molson) Portfolio of themed techno-historical walking and cycling circuits accessed through the mobile application, with 40+ points of interest (Ste-Catherine Circuit from Atwater to Papineau), augmented reality experiences, podcasts and historical contexts covering the birth of the railway (CN), the Molson family, Montréal's bridges, Radio-Canada, the Lachine area and John Molson. Aimed at tourists and Montrealers.
• Balado / Passé Date? (podcast series) Original podcast series "Passé Date?" hosted by historian Martin Landry of Montréal en Histoires, exploring Montréal history through conversational audio episodes. Winner of the Prix Numix 2022 in the entertainment category. Aimed at listeners interested in Montreal history.
• Montréal en Histoires Challenge (Quiz) Web-based gamified quiz offering over 300 questions across 6 categories with 45-second rounds and bonus seconds. Companion module to the educational and engagement products. Aimed at families, students, and casual visitors.
• Zone scolaire / School Zone Free educational platform designed by historian Martin Landry offering six learning and evaluation situations (LES / SAE) about Montréal history for Quebec high-school social studies and language courses, plus a media library of educational short videos and historical archives (375 Moments to Discover). Aimed at Quebec secondary school students and educators.
• Montréal en Histoires mobile application (iOS + Android) Free cross-platform mobile application (iOS App Store id 1001185556, Google Play com.SpaceAndDream.MontrealEnHistoires) that delivers all Montréal en Histoires experiences: Cité Mémoire tableaux synchronized with audio narration, points of interest, augmented reality overlays, virtual reality experiences, themed circuits, podcasts, and educational content. Aimed at individual tourists and Montrealers.
• Cité Mémoire Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth (L'Agora and Bed-In for Peace) Panoramic Cité Mémoire projection ("L'Agora Cité Mémoire" and the "Bed-In for Peace" tableau by Michel Lemieux and Michel Marc Bouchard) installed in the Agora reception hall of the Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth hotel, plus an interactive river in the underground passage to Place Ville-Marie. Aimed at hotel guests and visitors to downtown Montreal.
• Cité Mémoire Complexe Desjardins (Dorimène et Alphonse) Daily indoor Cité Mémoire tableau projected twice every hour on the large glass atrium inside Complexe Desjardins once stores close. A poetic portrait of Alphonse and Dorimène Desjardins, founders of the first savings and credit cooperative in North America. Created by Michel Lemieux with texts by Michel Marc Bouchard. Aimed at visitors to Complexe Desjardins.

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Ville de Montréal (City of Montreal)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor municipal partner and funder of Cité Mémoire as a legacy project for the 375th anniversary of Montreal. Provided 5M$ CAD in initial funding through the Entente Montréal 2025. Manon Gauthier (Ville de Montréal executive committee member for culture, heritage, and design) was involved in project announcements.
• Gouvernement du Québec (Government of Quebec)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial government partner and primary funder providing 6M$ CAD through the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal between the Ministry of Culture and Communications and the City. Minister Robert Poëti and Minister Hélène David participated in project announcements.
• Government of Canada / Canadian HeritageflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal government partner supporting Cité Mémoire through Canadian Heritage (Patrimoine canadien).
• Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial heritage partner providing access to Quebec's national archives and historical content for the Cité Mémoire productions.
• Tourisme MontréalflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTourism industry partner for the promotion and distribution of Cité Mémoire as part of Montreal's tourism offering.
• Air CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed partner on the partenaires page as a tourism and travel industry partner.
• PanasoniccoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner listed on the partenaires page; likely involved in display/projection technology integration.
• SDC Vieux-Montréal (Société de développement commercial)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal commercial development partner supporting Vieux-Montréal activation and distribution of Cité Mémoire.
• Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles (PQDS)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural district partner supporting downtown Montreal cultural programming distribution.
• H2E (Hôtel des Encans)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner listed on partenaires page supporting cultural programming.
• Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth hotelflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts the Cité Mémoire and Bed-In for Peace panoramic projections in the Agora reception hall. The hotel provides venue access for the tableaux and an interactive river experience in the underground passage to Place Ville Marie.
• Complexe DesjardinsflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts the Cité Mémoire Dorimène et Alphonse tableau projected every day twice every hour on the large glass atrium inside Complexe Desjardins, depicting the founders of Desjardins.
• Canadian National Railway (CN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 'Birth of the Railway' techno-historical circuit, with content co-developed using EXPORAIL Canadian Railway Museum archives.
• Molson CoorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for the John Molson techno-historical circuit with augmented reality across six historical stops in Old Montreal, showcasing seven generations of the Molson family; won Grands Prix de la commandite 2017 Grand Prize for this activation.
• Jacques Cartier Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for 'Stories and Bridges' digital historical circuit created for Canada's 150th anniversary, connecting Jacques Cartier Bridge, original Champlain Bridge, and Estacade via Greater Montreal cycling network.
• Archives de MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical accomplice providing archival content and resources for Cité Mémoire productions.
• Musée McCordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum accomplice providing historical content and archival materials for Cité Mémoire tableaux.
• Pointe-à-Callière, musée d'archéologie et d'histoire de MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum partner with Francine Lelievre and Luc Thessereault listed as Propriétaires; collaboration on historical content and programming.
• Congrégation de Notre-Dame de MontréalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical accomplice providing religious heritage content for Cité Mémoire productions.
• Cité historia, Musée du Sault-au-RécolletminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical accomplice providing heritage content and support.
• Regroupement des organismes culturels du Vieux-MontréalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural consortium partner supporting Vieux-Montréal activation and cultural programming.
• Vieux-Port de MontréalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner providing location access for Cité Mémoire projections; Benoit Renaud, David Jobin, and Pierre Benoit listed as Propriétaires.
• Société des professeurs d'histoire du QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational accomplice supporting historical content and pedagogical development.
• Stationnement de MontréalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperations accomplice supporting site logistics and visitor access.
• Sœurs de la Charité de Montréal (Sœurs Grises)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReligious heritage accomplice providing historical content for Cité Mémoire productions.
• Centre PhiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts and culture center partner with Phoebe Greenberg listed as Propriétaire; used for sound recording (Studio Centre Phi) for Cité Mémoire productions.
• EXPORAIL The Canadian Railway MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRailway heritage partner providing archival content for the CN Railway Birth circuit.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Meow Wolf: US-based immersive art exhibition company producing permanent large-scale installation experiences. Comparable in combining narrative storytelling with AR/VR/immersive tech; differs in being a venture-backed for-profit with traveling exhibitions.
• Moment Factory: Montreal-based multimedia studio specializing in immersive projection mapping and nighttime urban experiences. Closest direct peer to MEH — both produce outdoor projection-driven cultural experiences in Montreal using synchronized audiovisual technology.
• Culturespaces (Atelier des Lumières): French operator of immersive digital art centers (Atelier des Lumières, Bassins de Lumières) and heritage projection installations. Closely comparable business model: large-scale projection mapping in heritage sites paired with mobile/augmented extensions.
• Artechouse: US operator of immersive digital art spaces featuring technology-driven installations. Comparable in combining projection art with AR/VR extensions and bundled mobile/digital experiences.

Regional players

• Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Canadian not-for-profit cultural and educational institution. Comparable as a Canadian arts/heritage non-profit combining residency, performance and digital content with government and sponsor funding.
• TOHU: Montreal non-profit cultural organization presenting circus arts in the Cité des Arts du Cirque. Comparable as a Montreal-area non-profit cultural organization combining live performance with educational programming and public funding.
• Old Port of Montréal / Société du Vieux-Port de Montréal: Operator of Montreal's Old Port public spaces and a current MEH distribution partner. Comparable as a free public outdoor cultural/tourism venue relying on government and sponsorship funding in the same Vieux-Montréal catchment.
• Pointe-à-Callière (Montréal Archaeology and History Complex): Montreal archaeology and history museum and a current MEH heritage partner. Comparable as a Montreal-based heritage institution offering paid museum experiences and historical content, with which MEH collaborates and competes for cultural-tourism visitors.

Broad incumbents

• teamLab: Global interdisciplinary art collective producing large-scale immersive digital art installations. Comparable in immersive projection technology but operates a global, for-profit touring model rather than a regional non-profit anchored in one city.

Others

• Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ): Quebec's national library and archives and a current MEH heritage content partner. Comparable as a Quebec public institution digitizing and dramatizing Montreal/Quebec history; functions here as content supplier rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MontrealEnHistoires
• Instagraminstagram.com/mtlenhistoires
• Xx.com/MTLenHistoires

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montréal en Histoires