Montréal – The Largest City of French-speaking Canada
Montreal city is like a hop to Paris on a trip to North America. It's the largest city in Quebec, the second-largest in Canada, and the second-largest French-speaking city in the Western world. The French character of the city is an integral part of its identity, giving it a unique look and atmosphere. The city is located at the base of Mount Royal, the prominent hill at the heart of the island on the Saint Lawrence River. Its center is divided into Old Montreal, the historic core of the city, and Centre Ville, the modern downtown filled with gleaming towers and malls. Around the city, there are numerous popular tourist attractions like the Olympic Park and the islands of Saint Helen and Notre Dame.
How many days do you need for a trip to Montreal?
For a trip to Montreal, you should plan for two to three full days.
On a Montreal trip, it's highly recommended to find accommodation in the historic center.
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20 Must-See and Do Things in Montreal
- The Ferris Wheel and the St. Lawrence View at Old Port of Montreal Vieux-Port de Montréal
- The stunning altar of Notre Dame Basilica Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal
- Feel like Paris at Rue Saint-Paul
- The elegant look of Hôtel de ville
- Gallery stroll at Marché Bonsecours
- The scents of the Far East in Montreal's Chinatown Quartier Chinois
- Shopping for the fashionable along Rue Sainte-Catherine
- Shopping for bargain lovers in the underground city beneath Gare Centrale
- Luxury shopping on Le Sherbrooke and the Golden Square Mile Mille Carré Doré
- A miniature copy of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome – Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde
- The complete history of Canada at the McCord Stewart Museum Musée McCord Stewart
- High art at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal
- The city's skyscraper view from Mount Royal Park Parc du Mont-Royal
- The massive dome of Saint Joseph's Oratory L'Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal
- Trendy atmosphere in the Le Plateau neighborhood Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
- The futuristic design of the Montreal Tower La Tour de Montréal above the Olympic Stadium Stade olympique
- The Montreal Biodome Biodôme de Montréal and the Botanical Gardens Jardin botanique
- View of Old Town and the Jacques Cartier Bridge from Parc Jean-Drapeau
- Have fun with the kids at La Ronde amusement park by Six Flags
- The stunning geodesic dome of the Montreal Biosphere Biosphère de Montréal
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What is Montreal?
First and foremost, Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the West, after Paris, and the largest city in North America where English is not the primary language. However, it's important to note that all residents can communicate in English, and there's no language barrier when exploring the city (or snooty faces like in Paris).
- The city is built on a large island on the Saint Lawrence River, fleuve Saint-Laurent, an island with Mont Royal at its center, after which the city is named.
- Montreal is the largest city in the province of Québec, with about 1.7 million residents. Its greater metropolitan area houses more than four million people.
- Historically, it was the important commercial center of Canada and the largest city in the country. Today, it's the second-largest city in Canada, both in size and importance, after Toronto, which has surpassed it in the past fifty years.
- Montreal is one of the important university cities in North America, with nearly two hundred thousand students studying there each semester across 11 academic institutions, deeply influencing its youthful character.
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The city was named by the famous French explorer Jacques Cartier, who sailed up the Saint Lawrence River in 1535 and named the mountain on the island Mount Royal. More than a hundred years later, the French began to settle on the island, and in 1642 Montreal became an official city.
- In the mid-17th century, Montreal became part of the British Crown, and English speakers also settled there, but generally, it retained its French character.
- With Canada's partial independence in 1867, Montreal became the most important and largest city in the country.
- The city became a sought-after destination for immigrants from the late 19th century and grew rapidly. In the 20th century, it welcomed immigrants from all over the world, making it very cosmopolitan.
Montreal is a developed city with a high quality of life. The separatism of the Quebecois affected the city's status both politically and reputationally. The peak of French nationalism events occurred during what is called the October Crisis in 1970 and the activities of the separatist socialist organization, the Front de libération du Québec. During the October Crisis, the group resorted to violence, which deeply damaged the city's reputation and led to the departure of major companies to Toronto.
This shift moved Canada's leading city from Montreal to Toronto, and since then, the city seems to be lagging behind. Today, events of the Front are less prominent in the city, but occasionally the political tensions bubble to the surface. Every now and then, the city, along with all of Quebec, threatens to secede from Canada and gain independence.
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Map of Montreal
How to get to Montreal?
How to reach Montreal by flight?
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) Aéroport International Montréal-Trudeau – The city's airport is named after Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the iconic Prime Minister of Canada from the seventies and eighties and the father of Justin Trudeau. The airport is located east of downtown on the island area, just a fifteen-minute drive from downtown. It is the third-largest airport in Canada after Toronto and Vancouver, and one of the major hubs for the national company, Air Canada. The airport is well connected to airports in the USA, Canada, East Asia, and Europe. The airport is connected to downtown with STM buses.
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How to reach Montreal by car?
Montreal's main transportation artery is the Trans-Canada Highway, which, as expected of major Canadian cities, runs along the northern slopes of Mount Royal. This Canadian highway connects Montreal with Quebec City down the Saint Lawrence (a two and a half hour drive) and with Ottawa, the capital, up the Ottawa River, a two hour drive away. The route south from the city is the A15, crossing the border north of Vermont to the American Highway 87, which continues on to New York City, a five hour drive from Montreal.
Montreal Metro
Montreal's public transportation system is actually pretty good and is mainly based on Montreal's Métro de Montréal. The system includes four color-coded lines and was inaugurated in the 1960s.
The system itself is very concentrated in downtown Montreal, making it easy and convenient to move around the tourist-friendly areas in the city center. The green and orange lines run parallel, with the orange line skirting the northern edge of Old Montreal and the green line a block north beneath the main Rue Sainte-Catherine. The yellow line crosses the Saint Lawrence River from Old Montreal via Saint Helen’s Island, ending in Longueuil on the river's south bank.
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Click here for the Montreal downtown metro map…
When is the best time to visit Montreal?
Montreal is a city with four distinct and almost entirely separate seasons. The most notable feature of the city's weather is the definitively cold and snowy winter, with average temperatures from December to February well below zero. Anyone heading to Montreal in the winter needs to understand that the cost is the severe cold, and the city is very snowy. However, surprisingly, Montreal is very vibrant even in winter, mainly due to its extensive underground network beneath Gare Centrale.
- The perfect season to visit Montreal is, of course, the summer. The weather in summer is very pleasant and can even be hot. The summer nights are especially warm, and the days are usually pleasant and perfect for a visit. While precipitation falls throughout the year, summer sees the most rain, and there might be some cloudy and cool days too.
- The transition months, both spring and fall, are characterized by very rapid weather changes. From March to June, the weather warms quickly, so while March is still freezing, April and May have significantly higher temperatures. A similar pattern occurs in fall, where if September is cool, by October it becomes cold or freezing, and by November it's already snowing.
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Everything You Need to Know About Accommodation and Hotels in Montreal
Montreal is a city with a relatively pleasant downtown area for strolling, and accordingly, a large portion of the city's hotels are located right in the center.
Staying in downtown Montreal is divided more or less into three categories:
- Staying in urban hotels at Centre-ville
- Staying in Old Montreal
- Two and three-star hotels in Le Plateau
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The city hotels of Centre-Ville – Staying in the heart of Montreal is a fantastic choice for your visit. Right in the downtown area, you'll find three and four-star hotels from all the major American chains as well as many Canadian brands and private hotels. These are essentially urban hotels and are generally very good. Luxury hotels can also be found in the Golden Square Mile. Downtown Montreal is a vibrant area throughout the day and evening.
Accommodation in Old Montreal – Staying in Old Montreal near the Vieux-Port has a similar vibe. There are plenty of three and four-star hotels from international and Canadian chains. This area is less crowded with tall buildings and more open but still offers a lot to do during the day and in the evening.
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Accommodation in the Le Plateau District – Montreal's vibrant and youthful district offers a more affordable lodging solution compared to downtown. It's an area with hotels that could be labeled as motels, rated two or three stars, offering very easy access to downtown and a relatively quiet environment. In this area, you need to choose your accommodation carefully, as there are some really bad hotels. Therefore, it's wise to read reviews in advance on Booking.com or TripAdvisor. This area is developing, so there are also quite a few really great hotels in new buildings.
Map of Accommodation Areas in Montreal
How to Plan a Travel Itinerary in Montreal?
Montreal's location allows you to explore it as part of various routes both in the southeastern part of Canada and in travel routes in New England. The standard Canadian tour route includes Toronto, Niagara Falls, a cruise of the Thousand Islands on the Saint Lawrence River, an urban visit to Montreal, and from there heading east to Quebec City. Montreal can also be included in a trip through western Vermont, Burlington, and Lake Champlain, from where you head north on the 87 to reach the city.
For a guided bus tour of all Montreal's sites, click here..
Travel Route in Downtown Montreal
The Montreal itinerary is relatively easy, mainly because downtown isn't big and can be covered on foot (including Old Montreal and the Centre-Ville). The metro system really makes getting around the city center easier. It also conveniently connects downtown with attractions on Mount Royal, the Olympic Park, and the Sainte-Hélène and Notre-Dame islands.
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- It's worth starting your Montreal tour in the old city, Le Vieux Montréal, at Place d'Armes and the Notre-Dame Basilica.
- From there, continue to Rue Saint-Paul, the main street of the old center and the museums of Old Montreal.
- From the waterfront museums, continue to the Hôtel de Ville, the city hall, to Château Ramezay, the historic governor's residence, and to the Marché Bonsecours.
- From the historic market building, it's worth continuing to Vieux-Port de Montréal, the old port of Montreal.
- From the port, head back towards downtown via Saint Laurent Boulevard, the main street of Quartier Chinois, Chinatown.
- From Chinatown, continue to downtown, to Place des Arts, the arts square.
- From the city's cultural square, walk along Rue Sainte-Catherine, the main street full of malls, all the way to the central train station where the Underground City is located.
- Continue a bit west to Dorchester Square where the city's cathedral is located.
- From the beautiful square surrounded by towers, head towards McGill University's campus, where you'll find the McCord Stewart Museum.
- Continue exploring the Golden Square Mile on Rue Sherbrooke and visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
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Tour route in Greater Montreal
Around downtown Montreal, both the old Montreal by the river and in Centre Ville, there's plenty to see and do. Exploring the sites and attractions in Greater Montreal can be done via the city's efficient metro lines.
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- Start your tour in Greater Montreal in the area closest to the center, atop the Royal Hill – Mont Royal
- Mount Royal Park is a series of stunning lookout terraces connected by trails. On the eastern slopes of the hill lies downtown, while on the southern slope is the magnificent Oratoire Saint-Joseph Church
- From the church, it's worth heading to the northern slopes of the hill to the Le Plateau-Mont-Royal district. In the district, you should walk down the bustling Saint Denis Street or dine at the excellent bistros on the main Saint Laurent Boulevard. The heart of the district is the green and elegant Square Saint-Louis. It's also worth visiting Parc La Fontaine, a favorite hangout spot for locals.
- From the Le Plateau district, continue a bit north to the Olympic Park. In the Olympic Park, visiting the Stade Olympique and the La Tour de Montréal is a must. Nearby, you'll find the Biodôme de Montréal and the city's stunning botanical gardens.
- From the Olympic Park, continue (via metro through the city center) to Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame. The Parc Jean-Drapeau spans these islands and is known for the iconic Biosphère de Montréal.
- For those traveling with older children, it's also worth checking out the La Ronde amusement park on the island.
- On the neighboring island, you can find the Casino de Montréal. In early June, the Formula 1 race is held around the island on the Circuit de Gilles-Villeneuve.
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Everything to See and Do in Old Montreal Le Vieux Montréal
Le Vieux Montreal or Old Montreal is the oldest and most European part of the Canadian city with a French touch, Montreal. It's a charming area along the banks of the St. Lawrence River and the Old Port (Vieux-Port) filled with beautiful streets, historic buildings topped by the stunning Notre-Dame Basilica, amazing museums, and loads of things to see and do. It is the historic district of Montreal, which in recent decades has undergone a makeover and revitalization.
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What is Old Montreal?
Old Montreal, or Le Vieux Montréal, is the original core of the city of Montreal and the initial settlement area. It's the part of the city that was once surrounded by the historic fortifications of the French city Ville-Marie, the historical core at the foot of Mount Royal, at the heart of the island.
- Le Vieux Montréal is located by the city's historical harbor on the Saint Lawrence River, now fully transformed into a fun and entertainment area known as the Old Port.
- Old Montreal is crossed by the long Rue Saint-Paul, a charming narrow street with a European flair, filled with cafes and shops.
- Overlooking the entire district is the massive Notre-Dame Basilica.
- Not far away you’ll find the city's historic government buildings such as the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), Château Ramezay (Governors' Residence Palace), and Marché Bonsecours, which was once the city's main market (and also the seat of Quebec's parliament).
Everything to see and do in Centre-ville (Downtown) Montreal
Montreal’s Centre-ville is the downtown version of a French-speaking city that combines the refined Parisian style with the grandiose character of a classic American downtown. Close to Old Montreal, which serves as the administrative center of the city, Downtown Montreal is the cultural, academic, and importantly, the lively shopping heart of Quebec's largest metropolis.
In the shadow of contemporary and historical skyscrapers, shopping streets like Rue Sainte-Catherine and the upscale Rue Sherbrooke. Along these streets are dozens of mega-malls connected by the metro’s underground network, dug in the 1960s, transformed into a gigantic shopping center known as the Underground City.
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What is Montreal's Centre-ville?
The Centre-ville is the latest development of the city of Montreal. It is the city that grew from the old quarter, Le Vieux Montréal, towards the slopes of the royal mountain, Mont-Royal.
- The district mainly developed in the mid and late 19th century and officially became the modern downtown of Montreal with the addition of high-rises in the mid and late 20th century.
- Today, it is the vibrant and bustling center of Montreal, stretching from Chinatown and the Entertainment District around Place des Arts southwards to the Concordia University campus.
- In the middle stretches the main street – the lively Rue Sainte-Catherine. To the north, the Sherbrooke Street axis in the city's prestigious area – the Golden Square Mile.
- Downtown is a line of giant malls including the Eaton Centre and numerous malls along Rue Sainte-Catherine.
- Beneath Gare Centrale, the city's central train station, are dozens of kilometers of underground streets that have become a large mall of their own. Under Place Ville Marie is the underground city, home to hundreds of shops and restaurants. The underground city is one of the most unique things in Canada and a lively, pleasant place to visit, particularly if you happen to be in Montreal in winter.
- Downtown also boasts important museums, urban square courtyards surrounded by skyscrapers, and the beautiful and prestigious McGill University campus.
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Everything to See and Do in Greater Montreal
Montreal is a city with a captivating center that combines a French touch with American shopping power (lots of malls and shopping). On the outskirts of Old Montreal and the downtown area, there are plenty of major attractions that are integral to a visit to the city. The Olympic Park north of downtown is a must-visit, including the Botanical Gardens. The Montreal Tower, a part of the Olympic Stadium, is one of the most iconic towers in all of Canada.
Not far from the Olympic Park, on the southern slopes of Mount Royal Park, the hill after which the city is named, lies the vibrant district of Le Plateau. To the south of the hill, the Oratoire St. Joseph's dome dominates the city's skyline. The Saint Helen and Notre Dame islands in the Saint Lawrence River are also a popular destination for trips, home to Parc Jean Drapeau and Canada's Grand Prix track.
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What are the sites and attractions in Greater Montreal?
Around the center of Montreal, there are many unique sites and attractions. The city is situated at the base of the hill after which it is named, and at its top is a well-planned park with forests and breathtaking viewpoints of the city and the Saint Lawrence River.
- The city center is located on the eastern slopes of the hill. On the northern slopes lie the vibrant and trendy La Plateau district, one of the most fun neighborhoods to explore in the city
- On the southern slopes of the hill stands the magnificent Oratoire Saint-Joseph, with its giant dome dominating the city skyline
- To the north of the city lies the grand Olympic Park, where the 1976 Olympics were held. Over the Olympic Stadium towers the Montreal Tower, considered one of the city's landmarks
- Nearby are the city's carefully tended botanical gardens and the Montreal Biodome, an Olympic facility transformed for nature conservation
- Another travel destination are the two islands in the Saint Lawrence River. Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame are connected to Old Montreal by the stunning Jacques Cartier Bridge and the yellow Metro line
- Spanning the islands is Parc Jean-Drapeau, which also houses the La Ronde amusement park by Six Flags
- On Notre Dame Island, you'll find Montreal's giant city casino and the Grand Prix du Canada racetrack, where Formula 1 competitions take place in June.
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Sports Events and Teams in Montreal
Montreal has one extraordinarily admired sports team. The Canadiens, the kings of ice sports, are the city's top representatives in the world of sports culture and the most decorated team in the NHL, the joint hockey league of the USA and Canada.
The city boasts a vibrant sports culture, including the Montreal Alouettes football team playing in the Canadian Football League (CFL), and the FC Montreal soccer team in the MLS league.
Another major sporting event held in the city is the Canadian Grand Prix – Grand Prix du Canada, part of the Formula 1 races. The races are held at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Île Notre-Dame.
Hockey in Montreal
The Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are Montreal's prestigious hockey team and the mother of ice sports across North America. This is the oldest hockey club in the NHL, established in 1909, about eight years before the league's founding six teams began play in 1917.
The players, affectionately called 'Les Habitants,' have won no fewer than 24 Stanley Cups, almost double that of their Toronto rivals, the Maple Leafs. Despite their storied history, the Canadiens have been quite disappointing lately and haven't claimed the coveted cup for over thirty years. The team plays at Centre Bell in downtown Montreal, which seats 21,000 fans.
Home Stadium Address: 1909 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal, near Lucien-L'Allier train and metro station.
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