Did you know that there’s a second city lurking just beneath Montreal?
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Dubbed RESO (RÉSO), shorthand for the French term reseau or network, this massive subterranean ‘city’ stretches for around 20 miles. At its deepest, it descends four floors into the earth, and is home to over 1,500 stores. It’s got 120 entry points, including campus entry points for local institutions like McGill University and Concordia University.
The network connects dozens of buildings in Downtown Montreal, serving as a winter-proof walkway for residents during the city’s brutal winters. RESO also connects to Montreal’s metro system, called the Montreal Metro. That being said, many parts of RESO are located at ground-level—and there’s even a sky bridge. In other words, you might hear some pushback using the term Underground City.
Intrigued? Slightly confused? You’re not alone. I actually skipped out on the RESO when I visited Montreal last year because it sounded… vague. I wasn’t sure what I would find. The first two times someone mentioned the Underground City, I thought it was a joke—like Australians telling you about drop bears.
Turns out, RESO is real. And I missed out.
Don’t be like me. If you’re heading to the city, book one of the popular Montreal Underground City tours. There are close to a dozen top-notch options for all interest types.
Montreal Underground City tours
MTL Detours
MTL Detours offers multiple walking tour options for the city. It’s the same tour group that runs one of the options that I’ll list below—but you can also book directly with MTL. The award-winning company has offered small-group tours in Old Montreal and Downtown Montreal for over a decade.
Their Underground City tour is part of their Downtown Montreal walking tour. (Their Old Montreal walking tour is also rated the #1 Tour in Canada on TripAdvisor, in case you’re looking for more things to do.)
Montreal RESO Underground City and Downtown Small Group Tour (MTL Detours)
Here’s MTL Detours’ GetYourGuide tour, which is the same Underground City tour that I mentioned above (it’s bundled with their Downtown Montreal tour). This tour stands out for a few reasons. First, it’s a small group, meaning you can ask questions and won’t feel like you’re getting in the way in the city’s busy center. Second, your guide is certified and experienced, giving you a leg up on others who might not know RESO as well as they think they do.
Montreal: Discover Reso – The Underground City (Explora)
This tour runs for two hours, led by a local expert who specializes in art and architecture. You’ll delve into the Underground City as your guide points out iconic landmarks, statues, hidden cafes, and more. There’s also a strong element of social impact, as this guide bills this tour as ‘a storytelling local experience shaped by personal knowledge’. It doesn’t get much better than that when it comes to city tours, especially for travelers who crave a personal touch.
Explore Underground City & Downtown (Tours Montreal)
This two-hour tour is a small group adventure (limited to ten people) that also includes exploration of Downtown Montreal. Compared to other tours, this RESO experience lets you pop in and out of Underground City. In other words, you’ll get to see how the subterranean network connects different parts of the city. Expect a lot of information on architecture, history, and engineering.
Montreal: Underground City visit with local touring comedian (Goofy Welldone)
Want to laugh while you delve deep into RESO? This 1.5-hour tour is perfect for anyone who wants a cheekier take on the Underground City. A local comedian will take you through the network to showcase cozy lounges, art installations, and other famous spots. As you wander, you’re sure to enjoy a few laughs as your guide shares stories, jokes, and other insider knowledge. It’s also one of the shorter tours, ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to go all-in on a two-hour adventure.
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