La Ronde
La Ronde is a major amusement park located on Saint Helen's Island in Montreal, Quebec. Originally constructed as the entertainment complex for the 1967 world's fair, Expo 67, it has evolved into the largest amusement park in Quebec and the second-largest in Canada. The park is a central part of summer recreation in Montreal, featuring over 40 rides and attractions, including eight roller coasters, and hosting the prestigious International des Feux Loto-Québec fireworks competition. Following a change in ownership and management in 2026, La Ronde continues its operation as a premier family destination in Eastern Canada.
History and Development
La Ronde was conceived and built as the dedicated entertainment zone for Expo 67, the world's fair held in Montreal from April 28 to October 29, 1967. Situated on a 54-hectare man-made extension at the northern tip of Saint Helen's Island, the complex featured theatres, midway attractions, and numerous dining venues that stayed open until 2:30 a.m., long after the main Expo grounds closed at 10:30 p.m. Following the conclusion of the world's fair, the City of Montreal assumed control and operated the park for the next 34 years. This period saw several tragic incidents, including the drowning deaths of two police officers in Dolphin Lake on July 8, 1973, and the capsizing of the 'Mississippi' tour boat in the same lake on July 8, 1979, which resulted in three fatalities. A 41-day strike by blue-collar workers at the Alcan Aquarium in 1980 led to the neglect and death of three dolphins, contributing to the aquarium's permanent closure in 1991.
The park's infrastructure also changed significantly, with the permanent closure of the Expo Express rapid transit system in October 1973. Its terminus station had been located directly above La Ronde's main entrance, and although the system was demolished, the entrance was built around the former station structure. In a major shift, the City of Montreal sold La Ronde to the American theme park chain Six Flags on May 4, 2001, for 20 million USD. Six Flags committed to a long-term land lease and invested approximately 90 million USD over 25 years in new rides and improvements. This era brought major roller coasters like Le Vampire in 2002, Goliath in 2006, and Ednör, L'Attaque in 2010, substantially modernizing the park's lineup. Ownership changed again when EPR Properties acquired La Ronde as part of a 331 million USD purchase of seven park properties from Six Flags. The official transfer of park operations to La Ronde Operations, a company owned by Premier Parks, LLC CEO Kieran Burke, took place on May 14, 2026, marking the start of a new management chapter.
Location and Park Grounds
La Ronde occupies 59 hectares at the northern end of Saint Helen's Island in the St. Lawrence River. The park is built on land that was artificially extended around the former Ronde Island, a small granite outcrop that was destroyed by blasting. The resulting crater was transformed into Dolphin Lake, which is now surrounded by the park. The site is part of the larger Jean-Drapeau Park, which encompasses the former grounds of Expo 67 and includes attractions like the Montreal Biosphere museum and the Jean-Drapeau Metro station. South of the amusement park lies the urban green space of Jean-Drapeau Park, offering a contrast to the thrill rides. The park's location provides views of the Montreal skyline and the river, making it a scenic destination.
Access to the park from Montreal and the South Shore is primarily served by the Jacques Cartier Bridge. An alternative route is through Cité du Havre via the Concordia Bridge at the island's opposite end. Public transit is a popular option, utilizing the Jean-Drapeau Metro station on the Yellow Line. During the summer season, weekend shuttle bus services are available from the metro station directly to the park. The park's operating season typically runs from mid-May until the last weekend of October, with peak attendance during the month of July. The 2026 season launched on May 16 and introduced expanded hours, including late-night operations until 10 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and until 11:30 p.m. on fireworks nights. The park also added an extra week to its late-summer calendar and extended its Fright Fest event with an additional Halloween weekend.
Major Rides and Attractions
La Ronde's lineup of over 40 attractions is designed to cater to a wide range of ages and thrill levels. The park's eight roller coasters are a central draw, featuring a mix of modern steel and classic wooden designs. The standout coaster is Le Monstre, a 40-metre-tall wooden racing coaster that holds the global record for the highest double-tracked roller coaster. Other major coasters include Goliath, a 53-metre Bolliger & Mabillard mega coaster that reaches speeds of 110 km/h, making it the fourth tallest and fourth fastest roller coaster in Canada. Le Vampire, an inverted coaster installed in 2002, was Six Flags' first major investment and is a mirror image of the Batman: The Ride model found at other parks, though it was not licensed with the Batman theme. The suspended looping coaster Ednör, L'Attaque, which opened in 2010, was relocated from the defunct Six Flags AstroWorld and features special effects themed around a sea monster in Dolphin Lake.
Beyond roller coasters, the park offers a wide array of flat and thrill rides. These include Titan, a Zamperla Giant Discovery pendulum ride identical to Riddler Revenge at Six Flags Over Texas, which opened in 2016. Chaos, a Larson International Fire Ball ride that debuted in 2019, was relocated from Six Flags Great Adventure where it was known as El Diablo. Le Tourbillon, a Larson International GX5 Waltzer-style ride, was added in 2018. The park also features family and children's areas with gentler rides. The 2026 season highlighted the return of popular events and the introduction of new perks for season passholders. For the first time, Gold and Prestige season pass holders received unlimited summer access not only to La Ronde but also to Village Vacances Valcartier near Quebec City and Calypso Theme Waterpark in Ontario.
- Goliath (2006): 53m Bolliger & Mabillard mega coaster, speeds of 110 km/h.
- Le Vampire (2002): Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster, first major Six Flags addition.
- Ednör, L'Attaque (2010): Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster over Dolphin Lake.
- Boomerang: Vekoma Boomerang model coaster.
- Titan (2016): Zamperla Giant Discovery pendulum ride.
- Chaos (2019): Larson Fire Ball ride, formerly at Six Flags Great Adventure.
- Le Tourbillon (2018): Larson International GX5 Waltzer-style ride.
Seasonal Events and Festivals
La Ronde is renowned for its annual special events that extend its appeal beyond the standard amusement park experience. The most prominent is L'International des Feux Loto-Québec, an international fireworks competition held during the summer. Major pyrotechnic companies from around the world compete, with shows launched from a barge in the St. Lawrence River and synchronized to music. The best viewing is from the grandstands within La Ronde, and on show nights the Jacques Cartier Bridge is completely closed to vehicular and cyclist traffic, allowing pedestrians to walk out for a unique vantage point. This event celebrated its 40th edition in the 2026 season.
Each October, the park transforms for Fright Fest, a Halloween celebration that features four haunted houses, many costumed performers who walk around the park, and specially themed scare zones. The 2026 season expanded this event with an additional Halloween weekend. Other recurring seasonal events include Saveurs Extrêmes, a food festival, and La Ronde vire Country, a country music themed event. The park also hosts adrenaline-filled nighttime events during the summer, capitalizing on its extended operating hours. These festivals are integral to La Ronde's operations, drawing repeat visitors and enhancing Montreal's cultural calendar. The park's 2026 promotional material also highlighted a dinosaur-themed area described as featuring more than 15 giant dinosaurs in an oversized universe with plants and insects, aimed primarily at children.
Evolution Under Six Flags and Recent Changes
The period of Six Flags ownership from 2001 to 2026 was defined by substantial investment and rebranding efforts. After the acquisition, Six Flags announced in 2009 its intention to fully brand La Ronde, gaining rights to use Warner Bros. and DC Comics trademarks like Looney Tunes. This led to some thematic changes, such as renaming park pizza stands from Pizza Ronde to Pizza Pizza in 2007 as part of a sponsorship deal, and painting the observation tower bright orange to advertise the chain. However, not all rides were rethemed. Le Vampire, a mirror image of Batman: The Ride, never carried the Batman license. The park saw a steady stream of new attractions, including the shoot-the-chute ride Le Splash in 2004, the interactive laser-tag game Terminator X in 2010, the top spin ride Demon in 2014, and the haunted house Maison Rouge in 2015.
This era also involved the removal of older attractions. The Nintendo Megadome, a video game centre housed in the former Alcan Aquarium building since 1995, was permanently closed in 2006. Several original Expo 67 rides were dismantled in later years, including the water log ride La Pitoune in 2017 after its final season in 2016. The Minirail, the last vestige of the Expo 67 monorail system which had been out of service since 2019, was demolished in November 2022. In November 2025, the park demolished and removed the Spirale ride, which had not operated since 2018 and had been a fixture of the skyline for nearly 60 years. The historic Galopant carousel, built in 1885 and at the park since Expo 67, was silently retired after the 2019 season and was in a deteriorating state by 2023.
| Attraction | Type | Year Installed | Year Removed/Closed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minirail | Monorail | 1967 | 2022 (demolished) | Last vestige of Expo 67 monorail, out of service since 2019. |
| Spirale | Observation Tower | 1967 | 2025 (demolished) | Had not operated since 2018. |
| La Pitoune | Log Flume | 1967 | 2017 (closed) | Final season was 2016. |
| Galopant Carousel | Carousel | 1885 (at park from 1967) | 2019 (last operated) | 19th century music organ stopped working decades earlier. |
| Alcan Aquarium | Aquarium | 1967 | 1991 (closed) | Permanently closed after dolphin deaths in 1980. |
| Nintendo Megadome | Video Game Centre | 1995 (in aquarium building) | 2006 (closed) | Featured latest Nintendo games and attractions. |
Operations and Visitor Information
La Ronde operates as a seasonal park, with gates typically open from mid-May until the last weekend of October. The 2026 season launched on May 16 and introduced several operational enhancements under the new management led by La Ronde Operations. These included expanded daily operations starting June 12, an extra week added to the late-summer calendar, and longer evening hours until 10 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Admission is free for children under two years of age when accompanied by an adult. The park strongly recommends purchasing tickets online in advance, especially for weekends, summer holidays, and during major events like the fireworks competition, as sell-outs can occur.
The park offers various ticket options, with season passes presented as the best value for frequent visitors. New for 2026, Gold and Prestige season pass holders received the added benefit of unlimited summer access to Village Vacances Valcartier and Calypso Theme Waterpark. La Ronde also serves as a seasonal employer, hiring for positions such as ride operators, customer service representatives, and restaurant staff. For visitors planning their trip, the most efficient transit route is often the Metro to Jean-Drapeau station, followed by a connecting shuttle bus during the summer season. An alternative is to take the Metro to Papineau station and transfer to bus 169. The park's location within Parc Jean-Drapeau also offers nearby parking at lot P8, though hours and availability should be verified in advance.
Safety Incidents and Pop Culture Appearances
Throughout its history, La Ronde has been the site of several notable safety incidents. The park has also faced operational challenges due to external factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 season was delayed by three months, finally opening on August 3 and closing early on October 3, resulting in an unprecedented two-month season with only a limited number of rides operational. La Ronde has appeared in popular culture, most notably serving as the backdrop for the Are You Afraid of the Dark? television episode 'Laughing in the Dark' in 1992. In the episode, the park was given the fictional name 'Playland' and featured shots of its giant roller coaster, a haunted house with a dragon on the front, and its old-fashioned carousel. The park's visual distinctiveness and historic rides have made it a recognizable Montreal landmark in media. The park has also been a site for technological innovation, such as in 2013 when Goliath became the first roller coaster in the world to be equipped and operated with a virtual reality headset for riders.
Questions about La Ronde
When did La Ronde open and why was it built?
La Ronde first opened on April 28, 1967, as the official entertainment complex for Expo 67, the world's fair held in Montreal. It was designed to provide late-night amusement, dining, and shows for fairgoers after the main exhibition pavilions closed at 10:30 p.m., with its own venues staying open until 2:30 a.m. Following the fair, the City of Montreal continued to operate it as a public amusement park. Its creation on a man-made extension of Saint Helen's Island was a central part of the Expo 67 site development, which included the destruction of the original Ronde Island to create Dolphin Lake.
Who owns and operates La Ronde?
As of May 2026, La Ronde is owned by EPR Properties, a real estate investment trust that acquired it as part of a 331 million USD purchase of seven parks from Six Flags. The daily operations are managed by La Ronde Operations, a company owned by Kieran Burke, the CEO and founder of Premier Parks, LLC. The official transfer of operations occurred on May 14, 2026. The park land itself is leased from the City of Montreal under an emphyteutic lease agreement, which the city is planning to renegotiate following the ownership change.
What are the must-ride attractions at La Ronde?
The park's signature attractions are its roller coasters, particularly Le Monstre, the world's highest double-tracked wooden coaster standing 40 metres tall, and Goliath, a 53-metre Bolliger & Mabillard mega coaster that reaches 110 km/h. Other major coasters include the inverted Le Vampire from 2002 and the suspended Ednör, L'Attaque from 2010, which was relocated from Texas. The park also features over 30 other rides, including thrill rides like the pendulum ride Titan and the spinning Chaos, alongside a selection of family and children's attractions. The park's 2026 materials also promoted a dinosaur-themed area with oversized creatures.
What is the International des Feux Loto-Québec?
L'International des Feux Loto-Québec is a prestigious international fireworks competition hosted at La Ronde during the summer months. Pyrotechnic companies from different countries present elaborate, musically synchronized fireworks displays launched from the St. Lawrence River. The 2026 season marked its 40th edition. The best public viewing is from the grandstands within La Ronde, and on show nights the Jacques Cartier Bridge is closed to all vehicular and cyclist traffic, allowing pedestrians to walk onto the bridge to watch the spectacle with outstanding views of Montreal.
When is La Ronde open during the year?
La Ronde operates on a seasonal schedule, typically opening to the public in mid-May and closing for the season on the last weekend of October. The peak season is in July. The 2026 season introduced expanded hours, with the park operating daily starting June 12 and offering extended evening hours until 10 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and until 11:30 p.m. on fireworks nights. The season also added an extra week to the late-summer calendar and extended the Fright Fest Halloween event. Specific dates and hours vary annually and are published on the park's website.
How do I get to La Ronde using public transit?
The most convenient way to reach La Ronde by public transit is to take the Montreal Metro to Jean-Drapeau station on the Yellow Line. From there, a weekend and summer-only shuttle bus service operates to transport visitors directly to the park entrance. An alternative route involves taking the Metro to Papineau station and transferring to bus line 169. The park's island location also makes it accessible via the Jacques Cartier Bridge for those cycling or walking, particularly on fireworks nights when the bridge is closed to all vehicles and bicycles, creating a pedestrian pathway.
Sources and further reading
- La Ronde (Wikipedia)
- La Ronde, Discover the largest amusement park in Quebec (laronde.com)
- La Ronde's 2026 season kicks off with major changes (timeout.com)
- La Ronde (parcjeandrapeau.com)
Checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.
