A ghost hunt with Montreal’s plague-era scars.

I like that this experience mixes real investigative tools with the chilling story of the Old Sainte Antoine Cholera Cemetery, which hid under two of downtown’s best-loved parks. I also like that it’s guided by paranormal expert Dominique Desormeaux, so the night has structure, not random wandering.

One thing to plan for: you’re outside for parts of the investigation. If weather turns ugly, you’ll want to be ready, because rain can genuinely hurt the mood and comfort of a “field” tour.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Investigation

• Dominique Desormeaux leads the session with both history and practical ghost-hunting guidance
• EMF readers and temperature guns are part of what you’ll use during the walk
• The tour focuses on the cemetery hidden beneath Dorchester Square and Place du Canada
• You’ll hear why the cholera-era site became a hotspot for reported paranormal activity today
• You get access to multiple tools (like dowsing rods and other devices) through the guide
• The route is tied to major surrounding sites, including Sun Life Building and Marie-Reine-du Monde

Old Sainte Antoine Cholera Cemetery: Why This Tour Feels Different

This isn’t a generic “walk and hope” ghost tour. The whole premise is specific: from 1799 to 1855, Sainte Antoine Cemetery became the burial ground for around 70,000 people, with many placed in mass graves during cholera outbreaks. The guide frames the site as a Catholic cemetery where horrifying events reportedly occurred, including bodies examined in open areas, guidance tied to “infant baptism” for pregnant women, and people buried alive.

That matters because it gives the investigation a context that’s not just spooky-for-spooky’s-sake. You’re not only hunting for signs—you’re also trying to understand how trauma, mass death, and the way a city covers (and repurposes) land can shape the stories people keep telling.

Where It Starts: Dorchester Square and the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Monument

You meet at the statue of Sir Wilfrid Laurier in Dorchester Square, near René Lévesque Boulevard and the Peel Metro area. This is a smart starting point: it’s easy to find, it’s central, and it’s one of those “downtown Montreal looks pretty” places that can quickly turn uneasy once you know what’s underneath.

From there, you move into the two-park investigation areas: Dorchester Square and Place du Canada. The tour runs about two hours, so pacing is important. You’ll want to arrive 5–10 minutes early so you’re not rushed when the session begins.

The Equipment Part: What You Actually Use (and What It Means)

One of the strongest reasons to book is the hands-on approach. You’ll be given a loan of ghost-hunting equipment through the guide, rather than just being told to watch and wait.

Based on what the experience provides, you can expect to have tools such as:

• Dowsing rods
• EMF readers
• Temperature guns
• Other devices used for communication attempts

Here’s how that translates into a better night for you. If you’re the type who hates being “just a spectator,” this structure helps. You’re actively participating—switching attention between the guide’s instructions, what the instruments show, and what you think you’re sensing in the atmosphere around you.

A quick practical note: one review mentioned disappointment about wanting more devices in use at once. So if your goal is maximum gadget time, go in understanding the tools are provided by the guide and used as part of the group process, not necessarily handed out like every person gets every machine simultaneously.

Old Sainte Antoine Under the Parks: How the Walk Becomes a Story

The cemetery is described as hidden underneath two major urban parks: Dorchester Square and Place du Canada. That setup is key. Instead of walking through an empty historical plot, you’re investigating an active downtown environment where people walk, shop, and meet friends—often without knowing the land has a grim past.

The guide explains why reported paranormal activity is often linked to the current park locations. You’ll also learn about how the site evolved and how the city’s later landscape covers what happened during the cholera epidemics. The result is a walk that feels like two timelines at once: the present streetscape and the cemetery history below it.

The Surrounding Buildings: Haunted Neighbors in Downtown Montreal

The tour doesn’t stop at the parks themselves. You’ll also hear about a haunted statue and haunted buildings around the urban environment, including:

• Sun Life Building
• Old Windsor Hotel
• Chateau Champlain Hotel
• St George’s Anglican Church
• Marie-Reine-du Monde Cathedral and Basilica

This is valuable because it expands your frame. Downtown Montreal isn’t just one place; it’s a web of stone, institutions, and stories. Even if you never fully buy into the paranormal angle, the way the guide ties architecture to reported hauntings makes the walk more interesting than a single-point attraction.

Communication Attempts: How the Night Works in Practice

The experience focuses on locating and communicating with spirits using the tools provided. That doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get dramatic proof. What you will get is a method.

The guide (Dominique Desormeaux) shares techniques and strategies for:

• Trying to identify where attention should be focused
• Using instruments to support your observations
• Attempting communication using the equipment during the investigation

If you’re curious about how ghost-hunting shows on TV operate, this tour is closer to that structure than many “theatre-style” alternatives. You’ll be working within a set of instructions, which is more satisfying than wandering and hoping something happens.

Also, you’re encouraged to download ghost-hunting apps beforehand if you want to use them during the session. You don’t need to overthink this part. The practical move is to arrive ready: phone charged, apps installed, and settings understood.

Weather and Comfort: The One Real-World Risk

The experience takes place over outdoor park areas in downtown Montreal. One review specifically called out rain as a major downside—enough that it affected people’s ability to enjoy the outing and even made the tour feel unpleasant.

So you should plan like this is partly a “field walk,” not a cozy indoor show. Pack accordingly:

• Dress for damp weather if rain is possible
• Bring something that helps you stay warm and dry

You’ll enjoy the techniques more if you’re comfortable.

Price and Value: Is $24 Worth It?

At $24 per person for a two-hour paranormal investigation, this one is priced like a mid-range activity that includes the main costs: a guided session and equipment loan.

What makes it feel good value is the combination of:

• A specific location tied to Sainte Antoine Cemetery history
• A named paranormal expert host, Dominique Desormeaux
• Hands-on tool access (EMF readers, dowsing rods, temperature guns, and more)
• Investigation in two downtown park areas

If you’re comparing against ghost tours that charge more but offer little beyond a story on a sidewalk, the equipment + structure makes this a clearer “yes” for people who want participation rather than pure narration.

Language and Tone: French or English, Same Mission

The tour runs with French and English guidance. That matters because paranormal tours can be awkward if you’re lost during key instruction moments. Here, the guide is set up to lead the group in the language you need.

The tone is also important. The guide covers dark, historical subject matter tied to epidemics and religious practices. If you’re sensitive to topics involving illness, mass death, or descriptions connected to medical or religious events, approach with care.

Who This Tour Suits Best

This is a good fit if:

• You want a paranormal experience grounded in one specific, documented historical setting
• You like learning how ghost-hunting equipment is used, not just hearing legends
• You enjoy walking downtown with a guide who keeps the pace moving

It may be less ideal if:

• You hate being outside in poor weather
• You’re expecting a one-person, one-device setup with every gadget powered nonstop
• You want only light, fun scares without heavy historical context

Should You Book the Paranormal Investigation of Old Sainte Antoine Cemetery?

I’d book it if your idea of a great night is part street-walk, part instruction, and part history that sticks with you. The strongest promise here is the blend of Dominique Desormeaux’s guidance plus hands-on tools like EMF readers and temperature guns, all tied to a very specific cholera-era cemetery story hidden under Montreal parks.

I would skip it (or go with extra comfort planning) if rain is likely and you know you get miserable when you’re wet and cold, or if you need guaranteed “big moments.” This is about attempting communication and using techniques; it’s not a certainty machine.

If you’re flexible and okay dressing for the outdoors, this one is a solid value way to experience a darker side of downtown Montreal with real guidance and equipment in hand.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide in front of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Monument in Dorchester Square.

How long is the paranormal investigation?

It runs for about 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $24 per person.

Who hosts the tour?

It’s hosted by Paranormal Expert Dominique Desormeaux.

What languages are offered?

The tour is offered in French and English.

Is equipment included?

Yes. You get a loan of paranormal ghost hunting equipment provided by the guide.

What areas do you investigate during the tour?

The investigation happens in both Dorchester Square and Place du Canada.

What types of ghost-hunting tools will be used?

Tools may include dowsing rods, EMF readers, temperature guns, and other devices provided by the guide.

Should I download any apps before the tour?

The experience recommends downloading any ghost hunting apps you’d like to use beforehand.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it’s wheelchair accessible.

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