After two years of renovations, the Biodôme officially reopened to the public on Aug. 31, 2020, with a revitalized, immersive, and multi-sensory experience showcasing five ecosystems of the Americas. Unfortunately, by October 1, 2020, it was again forced to shut its doors, this time due to government health regulations surrounding the pandemic.

Fast forward to February 8, 2021, and a new year has brought about its second reopening, much to the excitement of parents and eager children hoping to visit their favourite animals during spring break.

New experiences and features

The 30-year-old iconic Montreal nature museum’s lush exhibits feature live plants and animals from tropical rainforests, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Laurentian Maple Forest, and the Sub-Antarctic Islands. Each area has been touched by the renovations, revealing hidden features, creating new walkways and viewpoints, and adding more features to explore.

The renovations included creating a new mezzanine from which visitors can enjoy dramatic views of the different ecosystems.

In addition to the physical renovations of the building, the Biodome has also undergone a digital transformation, replacing traditional information panels with a new mobile app to allow visitors to look up information on the exhibits from anywhere. The educational programs have also been updated to focus on inspiring visitors to take action to protect biodiversity.

“The Biodome migration is much more than just a facelift. It’s a migration in our way of viewing our relationship with nature. The current pandemic is showing us, once again, just how much we need nature, but also to what degree we have become disconnected from it,” said Espace pour la vie Director Mathieu Brunelle.

“Reconnecting with nature, appreciating it, and getting to know and understand it better are the first steps in what is becoming a crucial movement to protect it. Our objective is to inspire as many people as possible to join us in this movement,” he added.

Special measures in place

In light of COVID, the Biodome has introduced another big change: timed tickets, to ensure an orderly and uncrowded experience. Visitors are advised to book early for the best chance at getting your preferred entry time.
To comply with health measures, visitors must respect a distance of 2 meters from other people, and wearing a mask indoors is mandatory for people aged 10 and over.

While there will be no special events for spring break 2021, guides will be stationed at the Biodôme to answer visitors’ questions, and at-home activities for all ages are available on the Espace pour la vie’s website.

The botanical gardens is also open for visitors, however, the insectarium remains closed for major renovations. You can also visit the outdoor gardens (no ticket needed) for walking, bird watching, and cross-country skiing at no charge, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily.