It’s only been seven years since it opened, but I finally rode on Le Grand roue de Montréal, the giant Ferris Wheel in the city’s Old Port.
As a Montrealer, I was certainly familiar with it and had seen it spinning countless times, but I had dismissed it early on as an overpriced tourist trap. Still, I couldn’t help but be curious as to what is was like to ride so when Tourisme Montréal gave me the opportunity to check it out first-hand, I figured it was time to see what the Big Wheel was all about.
I got there near sunset on a cold and overcast rainy November day so there wasn’t much in the way of crowds. I got my ticket and waited a few minutes before an attendant guided me to one of the wheel’s 42 passenger units. Inside, it was nice and cozy as the units are climate-controlled which allows for year-round operation. Considering the cabins have room for eight passengers and I was alone, it was also extremely spacious so I was able to move about to admire the scenery from different vantage points.
As the wheel moved, I was slowly transported to the top of the circle to enjoy spectacular views of Old Montreal and downtown on one side of the cabin and the St. Lawrence River and South Shore on the other. At 60 metres (197 feet) in height, Le Grande roue is far from being the tallest Ferris Wheel in the world, but it is the tallest in Canada.
The cabin does rock a bit at times, partially from the spinning motion of the wheel, maybe from the wind, but also from riders like me moving around the cabin, so it was a bit unsettling, but only for a moment. Supposedly, there is a VIP cabin with an all-glass floor which I imagine would be pretty cool.
When the wheel eventually made a complete circuit, I figured the ride was over, but it actually takes you on three revolutions so you get to enjoy the views for about 20 minutes, which is more than enough time to capture some great photos and videos of the beautiful views all around. The good timing for my visit was accidental, but turned out to be fortuitous as the rapidly-setting sun meant I got to see the twilight glow of the city’s lights. The ride is open from 10 am until 11 pm and while this was my only experience, I’d imagine that the best views are during sunset and at night.
Montreal’s Ferris wheel is hardly unique as it is the fourth of this type built by Vekoma Rides Manufacturing, a Dutch company that had previously installed the same wheel in Hong Kong, Baku and Chicago. It was actually unveiled as part of the festivities for Montreal’s 375th anniversary and cost $28,000,000 to build, which fortunately for taxpayers was completely funded by private investors.
Would I recommend this ride to visitors to Montreal when the view from the top of Mount Royal is just as incredible and completely free? I think so. Even though it is still pretty expensive for what you get, many people on vacation are ready to spend money to enjoy new experiences and Le Grand roue certainly delivers.
You can book tickets for Le Grande roue, or find out more about it, by visiting their website at https://lagranderouedemontreal.com/la-grande-roue-home/.
