The power of nature: Event venues in Montréal’s natural sciences museums

Sometimes an event demands a natural setting. The power of nature provides the perfect contrast to our increasingly busy urban lives. A natural setting not only provides beautiful décor but spending time in natural settings is linked to cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health, and emotional well-being.[*]

Montréal is home to Canada’s largest natural science museum complex. The complex is called Espace pour la vie (translation: Space for Life) and it is made up of five major attractions: the Montréal Botanical Gardens, the Biosphère, the Biodôme, the Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan, and the Insectarium.

Whether for training sessions, happy hours, awards ceremonies, conference, Christmas parties, product launches or other types of events, the spaces available for rent at Espace pour la vie are ideal gathering places. Here are the five attractions!

Botanical Gardens

The Montréal Botanical Gardens offer an oasis in the middle of the city with a rich collection of 22,000 plant species and cultivars. The magnificent cultural gardens enable your attendees to travel to places like China, Japan, and First Nations through botanical traditions. The open spaces of the garden’s 75 hectares can be used for all sorts of special events and celebrations, such as a tea party in the rose garden. Charm factor: 100.

Biosphère

Originally an enclosed structure of steel and acrylic cells, the geodesic dome was conceived as the pavilion for the United States for Expo 67. These days it’s home to the Montréal Biosphère, a museum dedicated to ecology. Whether it is the conference room, the Belvedere, or the Entrance Hall, rental opportunities offer cozy and creative atmospheres. The structure itself provides oodles of Instagram-able opportunities.

Biodôme

Not to be mistaken with the Biosphère, the recently renovated Montréal Biodôme enables visitors to discover plants and animals from five ecosystems across the Americas. Its Entrance Hall “wows” guests with 20-metre-high ceilings and ample space to accommodate between 250 and 500 people—a space that will undoubtedly dazzle guests.

Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan

While this is less of an “outdoor” venue, the Planétarium certainly highlights the vast natural world: deep space. Whether for a cocktail, banquet, or training, venue rooms are designed to provide superior comfort paired with wonderment. Invite guests to an immersive show in one of the 360-degree dome theatres. A guaranteed intergalactic journey!

Insectarium

From beetles and butterflies to centipedes and scorpions, the Insectarium provides a backdrop to learn about some of the smaller but essential creatures on our planet. The site has been recently renovated, offering new underground alcove galleries inspired by the habitat of insects. However you choose to use the space, your event will be buzzing.

For more information on all of the Espace pour la vie venues, visit the “room rentals” section of the Espace pour la vie website.