Montreal It perfectly combines the cheeky urbanity of the New World with the romantic charm of its European districts with historical flavor. Despite the fact that its skyscrapers are a testament to the economic influence of the second largest city in Canada, visitors are more attracted by horse carriages and walks through the cobbled streets of the old town.
Montreal is located on an island, 50 km by 16 km, between the Rivière des Prairies and the Saint Lawrence River. "Discovered" by Jacques Cartier in 1535, the island was already inhabited and was known by the name of Hochelaga. In 1642 Hochelaga was abandoned in favor of European colonization. It was a French colony until 1760, when Montreal "fell" into British hands. Nowadays 67% of the inhabitants speaks French, making Montreal the second French speaking city in the world after Paris.
The charming buildings of Old Montreal, are today the "headquarters" of an endless number of boutiques, bars, hotels and restaurants. The world's tallest leaning tower can be visited on top of the Olympic Stadium, a legacy of the 1976 Summer Olympics. In that same area you will find its immense Botanical Garden.
You will get to know the ‘true’ Montreal in its neighborhoods. Boulevard St-Laurent, cuts him from east to west. It's the liveliest street in town, where ethnic shops, bars, and restaurants draw crowds well into the night. The best time to visit Montreal is in the summer, when even the nights can be stifling and the whole city is partying at all hours.
10 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Montreal (April 2024)
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