The Canadian Centre for Architecture elegantly joins a modern building with two 1875 grey limestone houses – collectively known as Shaughnessy House – offering a lovely space for architectural research, study and exhibitions.

These exhibitions change several times a year and cover a wide range of architectural topics, but are always cleverly conceived and executed.

The open-access parts of the building are also worth a look for the beautifully preserved mantle-pieces and grooved columns in the old properties which somehow combine seamlessly with the modern building.

Also on-site is an excellent bookstore, chock full of architecturally-themed titles, particularly on local and Quebec themes.