September 28, 2022 | View Online | Sign Up
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Fancy a trip to Europe but don’t have time to flit across the Atlantic? Enter: Montreal.
Bursting with life even in the midst of heavy winters, the Canadian city is a gleaming taste of old Europe, where food, the arts, and culture take center stage.
But while the French influence is clear to see in the architecture, the food, and even the way of life, understand that this is a truly bi-cultural city. Montreal straddles the Atlantic with aplomb, fusing together the finest aspects of its European heritage and North American geography to create one of the most unique cities in the world.
Bienvenue a Montreal.
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| DID YOU KNOW?
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They love their hill...ahem, mountain
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Mont Royal is the mountain (don’t call it a hill) that rises above Montreal’s skyline. It’s a must-visit area thanks to its role as a green escape in the middle of the city and a wonderful protected park and nature reserve. Montrealers have utilized it as a sanctuary since the late 1800s and have shown it respect by installing some interesting laws to protect its prominence in the city.
Although there is now opposition, city regulations prevent any building from being built taller than Mont Royal. As it’s only 233m, developers are severely limited. In fact, in most parts of the city, buildings are limited to 120m, with only strict regions that can go higher.
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| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
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Parlez-vous Francais?
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If you’re not aware of Quebec, the province that Montreal is the capital of, you might be surprised to learn that they’re very French. And it’s not just a heritage thing; street signs are likely to be in French, or at least bilingual, and it’s the spoken tongue for the majority of its residents.
While most people in Montreal can speak English too, if you venture out of the city, you might find yourself struggling to communicate. While you likely won’t have any issues, it’s always a nice gesture to brush up on a few phrases.
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Getting around is super easy
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Part of Montreal’s old European feel comes in the form of easily walkable streets. The Old Town, in particular, is wonderful for a bi-pedal jaunt, but even as you move further from the cobblestones, it’s never too complicated.
If you do find yourself getting a little tired, head to one of the 68 metro stations that connect the city. It’s a fast and cheap way to see the city, especially if you’re a little short on time.
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Don't let the weather put you off
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Depending on when you arrive in Montreal, you’re going to have a drastically different packing strategy. Summers are sunny and warm, with the humidity making it seem even more so while arriving in December could see you met with buckets of snow, wind, rain, ice…the whole works.
The plus side to the weather shifts is that visiting Montreal at different times of the year offers a completely new experience. Even in the depths of a cold winter, there are still tons of things to do. The city doesn’t stop; it just adapts.
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| TOGETHER WITH
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| THINGS TO DO
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Time your trip with a festival
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Montreal goes hard when it comes to festivals. From wide-ranging music weekends to hyper-niche convention events, there is something to celebrate virtually any weekend. Try and time your visit to coincide with one you’re interested in or with something you know nothing about.
Easily the most prominent date on the festival calendar is the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. It’s the biggest Jazz festival in the world, pulling as many as two million fans over the course of ten days. It’s designed to be accessible to everyone, so you’ll find a lot of amazing genre cross-overs that might work as your jazz gateway.
Despite the cold, there are still plenty of things going on in Montreal over the winter. The aptly named Igloo-fest is an electronic music festival in the Old Port, while the Fete des Neiges is a celebration of all things winter. Don’t get too put off by the cold,
Frankly, there will probably be something on whatever time of year you decide to go. Maybe you’ll stumble into the Negroni Festival, the Montreal Independent Film Festival, or even the Cirque du Soleil Festival (it started in Montreal).
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Explore Old Montreal
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The highlight of any Montreal trip is exploring its storied Old Town. When you first arrive, it may throw you off slightly. It’s strange to see such a strikingly European-styled town in North America. But it’s part of what makes Montreal so unique, so dedicate a good amount of time to getting acquainted with the four-hundred-year-old area.
Start at Place de Armes, the historical center of the city. Here you’ll find some of the best historical architecture in North America, including a stunning Cathedral, the View-Seminaire, the original Bank of Montreal, and a number of other culturally significant stops.
Worth a bimble is Bonsecours Market. Once the central market for the city, and even the Canadian Congress! It’s now a boutique shopping center, but the beautiful building is worth checking out even if you’re not too fussed about shopping. There are also some stellar cafes and restaurants.
From there, stroll down Saint Paul Street. Quintessentially European, beautiful from every angle, and shops, restaurants, bars, and other attractions the whole length.
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Go underground
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While the central theme of any Montreal visit should swing with a strong bias towards the cultural side of things, the Underground City is well worth a deviation. Although it sounds more like a catacomb, the Underground city is actually a sprawling underground network of malls connected by tunnels and the metro. Unbelievably, there are around 20 miles of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
The complex can be a refuge during the cold winter or the humid summer, and while you might not want to spend a whole lot of time there, it’s also a great place to knock out all of your souvenir shopping.
Time Out Market is a foodie highlight. Far more than a traditional food court, some of the best names in Montreal’s culinary scene have a place here, making a lunchtime shopping break a little more special.
While the underground is linked to the best museums in Montreal, it has its own art space that runs exhibitions year-round, while the shopping options are vast, featuring many high-end Montreal products, including the famous Aldo shoe brand.
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| WHERE TO STAY
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Centuries-old renovations and modern luxury
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Montreal is blessed with an array of historical hotels as well as some forward-facing modern digs that make choosing a place to rest one of your hardest decisions. With tourism growing in the region, even the classic hotels are revamping their style with an edgier approach, without forgoing the luxury, of course.
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Our Top Pick: Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
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Montreal, Canada
$$$ | See inside
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Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is an icon in the North American hotel industry. A trailblazer in the fifties, it was the first hotel on the continent to feature AC, escalators, and even direct dial phones.
While it’s kept the classic feel, the hotel has stepped firmly into the future with a recent redesign, adding some much-needed modern character to an already stunning establishment. It’s connected to two metro stations, the Underground City, and even has some insanely convenient perks like reebok training gear being delivered to your room for a workout.
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| Book Your Stay |
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Other Top Picks
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| WHERE TO EAT
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Meat heavy and magical
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Poutine is naturally the first thing that springs to mind when considering French Canada. The fries, the cheese curds, the gravy…need we say more? But Montreal is also famous for its bagels and smoked meats — the latter being a nod back to the dense foods the original French settlers would have survived on.
Outside of the traditional fare, Montreal is a foodie paradise. Truly international, you can find virtually any kind of food here. You can expect a few twists on the local dishes, too, like a Filipino poutine. Splash out on at least one classic French restaurant, though. It simply must be done.
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Our Top Pick: Au Pied de Cochon
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Montreal, Canada
$$$$$ | Menu
A Montreal stalwart, Au Pied de Cochon is a must-try for any visitor. Most definitely not on the cheap end of things, but worry not; you’ll leave satisfied. Fully embracing the city’s French heritage, you can expect foie gras, sous vide duck in a can, and other heavy, rich, and downright wonderful dishes.
One of the most talked about is the Foie Gras Poutine. We know the Foie Gras is a bit controversial, but if you’re okay with it, you’re stumbling onto something special.
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| Reserve a table |
The Best of the Rest
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN MONTREAL
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