MTL Detours is a 100% locally owned and operated small independent tour company, founded in and based in Montreal.
Montreal – by Montrealers.
We’re not a big-box tour company or a franchise. MTL Detours is a 100% locally owned and operated business that specializes exclusively in small-group walking tours of Montreal’s most fascinating neighbourhoods.
We believe in quality over quantity, ethical practices, and sharing our city with care. Our tours are capped at just 10–12 guests, allowing for a more personal experience and access to off-the-beaten-path spots that big groups miss.
Every tour is led by a certified professional guide who has completed the official Montreal Tourist Guide training at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) and holds the mandatory City of Montreal guiding permit — a legal requirement not all companies follow. Our guides are also members of the Montréal Professional Tourist Guide Association (APGT).
We’re proud to work with some of the best guides in the city and to pay them fairly for their knowledge, expertise, and passion (unlike gimmicky “free tours” that are entirely tip-based). Our team focuses on sharing a quality memorable experience — they’re trusted professionals who genuinely love what they do and they deserve generous compensation.
At MTL Detours, every tour supports ethical, local, and sustainable tourism — something we believe makes your experience all the more meaningful. We lead with respect: for our guides, our guests, the streets we walk, and the communities we walk through.
Meet the passionate, knowledgeable locals who bring our tours to life below.
At MTL Detours, our small-group walking tours are designed to be both fun and informative. Each tour is thoughtfully curated to highlight Montreal’s must-see landmarks and its hidden gems, while sharing the city’s rich culture, layered history, and unique local character.
We stick to walking tours because, as locals, we know that the best way to truly experience Montreal is on foot. We’ve carefully crafted our routes to showcase the most interesting parts of the city — from iconic sights to lesser-known corners you’d likely miss on your own.
Our groups are intentionally kept small — just 10 to 12 guests max — so every participant gets personal attention, plenty of opportunity to interact with the guide, and a more relaxed, engaging experience.
It’s walking done right — immersive, local, and human.
At MTL Detours, we proudly offer inclusive small-group walking tours where everyone is welcome. We celebrate and respect all identities, backgrounds, and experiences — regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or religion. Our tours are designed to be safe, welcoming, and enriching for all travelers.
We work exclusively with a select group of certified, licensed guides — all of whom are professional, passionate, and deeply knowledgeable about Montreal. Each guide has completed the official training at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) and holds the City of Montreal guiding permit required by law. You’ll always be in excellent hands.
Our guides are proud locals who love showing guests the hidden corners, untold stories, and cultural richness that make Montreal so unique.
If you’re looking for a thoughtful, in-depth, and authentic tour experience, join MTL Detours — and see what makes this city truly special.
