Grande roue de Montréal facts for kids
La Grande roue de Montréal
illuminated at night |
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| Coordinates | 45°30′31″N 73°32′55″W / 45.5085°N 73.5486°W |
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| Location | Montreal, Canada |
| Type | Ferris wheel |
| Height | 60 metres (200 ft) |
| Opening date | 2017 |
The La Grande roue de Montréal is a giant Ferris wheel located in the Old Port of Montreal, Canada. It was built to celebrate Montreal's 375th birthday! This amazing wheel opened on September 1, 2017, and it's the tallest Ferris wheel in all of Canada.
How the Big Wheel Works
Building the La Grande roue de Montréal cost about 28 million Canadian dollars. This money came from private investors, not the government. A company called La Grande Roue de Montréal Incorporée runs the wheel.
The Ferris wheel is located on Bonsecours Basin Island, right in the Old Port of Montreal. It is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. When you buy a ticket, you get to enjoy the ride for about 20 minutes.
Design and Features
The La Grande roue de Montréal is a special model called WS60, which means "White Series 60 metres." It was made by a Dutch company called Dutch Wheels. This Ferris wheel is one of only a few like it in the world. Others are in Hong Kong, Baku, and Chicago.
The wheel stands 60 metres (about 200 feet) tall. It has 42 passenger cabins attached to its outer edge. Each cabin can hold up to 8 people, so the entire wheel can carry 336 passengers at once. The cabins are climate-controlled, meaning they stay warm in winter and cool in summer. This, along with strong steel that can handle very cold temperatures (down to -40°C or -40°F), allows the wheel to operate all year round!
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La Grande roue being constructed.
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Installation of passenger units on the wheel
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Detail of the drive system
The center of the wheel is built on special foundations that can handle earthquakes. This helps it stay strong even in very high winds, up to 240 kilometres per hour (150 mph). The wheel moves using four pairs of electric motors. These motors are controlled by a special system that helps them run smoothly.
Amazing Views
From the top of the La Grande roue de Montréal, you get a fantastic 360-degree view of the city. You can see Old Montreal with its historic buildings and Place Jacques-Cartier. You can also spot the tall buildings of Downtown Montreal with Mont Royal in the background.
Looking south, you'll see the wide Saint Lawrence River and its seaway. In the middle of the river, you can see Saint Helen's Island and Notre Dame Island. These islands were once home to Expo 67, a famous world's fair. At night, you might not see Mont Royal clearly, but you can see the Mount Royal Cross lit up. The lights on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge also change colors, adding to the beautiful night view.
