North America’s largest francophone city is a blend of French-inspired joie de vivre and cosmopolitan dynamism that has come together to foster a flourishing arts scene, an indie rock explosion, the Plateau’s extraordinary cache of swank eateries and a cool Parisian vibe that pervades every terrasse (patio) in the Quartier Latin. It is also the largest city in Canada’s Québec province.

Old Montreal

Stroll the Old Port of Montréal riverside boardwalk, explore the history and beauty of Old Montréal by day, and at night use your smartphone to search out the historic projections of Montréal en Histoires Cité Mémoire.  

Old Montréal is a district of contrasts. Alongside the stately grace of the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Bonsecours Market’s glistening dome awaits a wealth of cutting-edge design shops and forward-thinking restaurants. The riverside pathways that teem with joggers and cyclists throughout the day swell with romantic strolling couples after the sun goes down. The area’s beautiful buildings transform nightly into glowing beacons with innovative lighting effects and the modern Grande Roue de Montréal ferris wheel offers new vistas over a grand quartier nearly 400 years in the making.

During one of the rainy days, we also checked out the Pointe-à-Callière, Montreal Archeology and History Complex. On the very site of Montréal’s founding, classified as a national historic and archaeological site, Pointe-à-Callière offers visitors an emotionally rich journey through impressive archaeological remains that bear witness to more than 4,500 years of evolution of the territory, from the time of Indigenous settlements to the present day.

Plateau Mont Royal

With city views, leafy forest paths and fresh air, a visit to Mount Royal is a must – look out on the city from the Kondiaronk Belvedere and the Mount Royal Chalet, and walk a little further for a closer look at the Mountain’s illuminated cross. Majestically rising up in the middle of the city, Mount Royal (“the mountain” to locals) is a symbol of the city’s heritage, history, geography, and inspiration, hosting founding institutions, beautiful hillside cemeteries, and Mount Royal Park, a 4-season playground.

Another sight to check out is the Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, which is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine located in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood on Mount Royal’s Westmount Summit. Rising majestically above the cityscape is Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal. It is the largest sanctuary dedicated to Saint Joseph and one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage sites with over 2 million visitors per year.  

Jean-Talon market

The multicultural flavours and sights of the Jean-Talon Market have been attracting crowds to Little Italy since 1933. One of North America’s largest open-air public markets, its lively atmosphere, authentic character and wide selection of fresh, local produce and specialities from here and abroad always make for a pleasant and appetising outing.

One can get all sorts of fresh produce at this market, from fresh maple syrup to cold cuts, fruits and vegetables, milk and cheese, meats, seafood etc. There are also a couple of souvenir shops selling the gamut of items made from maple, such as maple soap, maple tea, maple syrup and anything you can think of. It was an eye-opener to walk through this public market and to see the locals going about their regular grocery shopping.

Chinatown

From the traditional festivals to herb shops and authentic Chinese restaurants, this bustling neighbourhood offers a true cultural foray. As with any big metropolitan city in the world, there is bound to be a Chinatown, offering you a variety of Chinese cuisines, massages and grocery stores. While the main Chinese gate stands high as a mark of the entrance to this neighbourhood, other Asian ethnicities have also set up shop here, such as Koreans, Japanese, Vietnamese etc.

Thanks to our friends Felix and Sylvie, they brought us on a gastronomical and walking tour of Montreal and we also had a chance to catch up with each other. We both enjoyed our stay in Montreal because it was pleasant to walk around despite the cold. I heard that in January, it would be even colder and there is a high chance of snow. I liked the big empty spaces and how Montreal has fought fiercely to retain its quebecois culture, with French and English both spoken on the streets. The film and entertainment industry has also made a global impact, with popular shows such as Just for Laughs and Cirque du Soleil being broadcast in many other countries. From hosting of the 1976 Summer Olympics to the 1967 International Expo, Montreal has put itself on the world map. I hope to come back here to visit again, probably in summer or autumn, to see a different side of the city.

The Montreal Metro is a convenient way to get around the city. Currently, there are four lines running a total of 71 km and serving 68 stations. A good tip is to get the 24h pass (CAD$11) which allows for unlimited travel for 24 hours. This fare allows you to travel on the bus, metro, train and REM trains (when they become operational) in Zone A. It only starts when the pass is validated. A one trip ticket is CAD$3.50 that is valid for 120 minutes after being validated.