Canada Travel Guide
Montreal
The bulk of the initial wave of settlers into Canada came from Britain or France. Over the centuries, this position has distilled to a point where Quebec - the state in which Montreal is situated - wants to secede from the rest of the country to become a French Canadian haven. Montreal is at the heart of this drive towards separatism and this 'Franco-Canadian' element informs all aspects of life in Montreal.
From humble beginnings as a fur trading centre and port Montreal grew to become a major city, an important rail junction and a leader in the fields of commerce and industry. The world fair, Expo '67 and the Olympics of 1976 cemented Montreal's position as a significant international city.
The French influence can be felt everywhere in the city. There are wide boulevards masses of restaurants and the people have a certain 'je ne sais quoi'. They can be warm, laid back and yet vibrant in the way they conduct themselves.
Where to Go and What to See
Vieux-Montreal
Or Old Montreal is where the city has its roots. Take time to wander amongst the buildings, some of which date back to the 17th Century.
Place Jacques Cartier - named for the man who first came to the area - is a cobbled square amidst narrow streets. In the summer it is heaving with tourists, buskers and street vendors.
Place d'Armees is another major square, one that is dominated by a statue of Maisonneuve, one of the founding fathers of the city.
Many of the buildings in the area had fallen into disrepair but renovation work has been carried out and this has rejuvenated the district. There are many cafes and restaurants in which to sit and watch the world go by.
Worth a look whilst in the area is the Montreal History Centre and the Chateau de Ramezay, formerly home to the French governors in the early 18th century but now a museum.
Basilica Notre Dame
Ironically designed by a Protestant, James O'Donnell, this has been the main Roman Catholic place of worship since 1829. It is noted for its interior, illuminated by three large rose windows and filled with rich furnishings and carvings. There is also the 10 tonne bell, Jean Baptist.
Pointe-a-Calliere
Or Museum of Archaeology and History. This is a living museum; much of it is underground where parts of the old city have been uncovered. Ruined buildings, the earliest European burial site and the remains of the old sewage system are all on show. As a history primer for Montreal, Pointe-a-Caliere is to be recommended. The focus is on Montreal and its development over the years, as shown by what has been excavated. The McCord Museum of Canadian History is also worth a brief look for those interested in finding out more about the history of the area.
Musee des Beaux Arts
Montreal's leading art gallery is also its oldest. The building houses work from across the world and through the ages. There are displays of Innuit art alongside local artists. There are displays from more modern Montreal artists as well as from traditional European works from El Greco and Rembrandt. Picasso is represented as is Henry Moore and Rodin. This is one of the most significant collections in Canada.
Botanical Gardens
These are the largest of their sort in North America. The 81 hectares of the park contain some 26000 species of plant in 30 plus garden settings. Highlights include the Japanese and Chinese gardens.
Also to be found within the confines of the gardens is the Insectarium. This is not for bug-phobics. The collection of insects from around the globe is housed in a giant bug shaped building. If you are lucky and I mean really lucky, you could go to the Insectarium in February when you might get the chance to eat crawling things at the annual bug fry.
Shoot the Rapids
Although it is in every way a modern city, even here outdoorsy type adventures are to be found. One of the best of these is to shoot the rapids of the St Lawrence in a large jet boat. You will get soaked but this is really exhilarating and a great hangover cure.
Food, Drink and a Place to Sleep
During the summer months accommodation gets harder to find - so book early - and more expensive. Christmas and New Year are also busy times. There is not much camping in the Montreal area but there are many Hostels. As one might expect, Montreal is well served for a wide range of hotels from budget to very expensive.
With an emphasis on things French how could Montreal have anything other than a great reputation for its food? The various ethnic groups who have arrived more recently have only served to augment this reputation.
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