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| View
of Downtown Montreal from the Mont-Royal Park 1 |
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Montreal's
metro is a quick and easy way to travel around the city. Consisting of 65 stations
at present and spread out over four lines named Blue, Green, Orange, and Yellow,
the metro stops at or near major attractions, venues and services throughout
the city. Operated by the Societe
de Transport de Montreal (STM - Montreal Transit Corporation), the metro
provides service for an estimated 700,000 commutes daily.
Construction began on the metro in the early 1960s with the urging of mayor
Jean Drapeau. Around the same time Montreal learned they would be hosting Expo
67, forcing city planners to amend original designs by adding an additional
line and extending others. Six years later the metro opened to the public, a
much-anticipated event celebrated with pride.
Today the metro, one of two in Canada, continues to be the primary transportation
system in Montreal and visitors can use it to their advantage, hitting hot tourist
destinations while saving time and money. Stations are strategically located
throughout the city and are marked by blue and white signs with a downward arrow
indicating entrances and exits. Tickets can be purchased at booths in any station
or from convenience stores above ground.
Changing Lines
For some trips it may be necessary to change lines. Connections can be made
between the green, orange and yellow lines at Berri-UQAM,
between the green and orange lines at Lionel
Groulx and between the Blue and Orange lines at Jean
Talon or Snowdon.
Note the line's name and the last station in the necessary direction of travel
and proceed to the appropriate platform. To change from the metro to a bus or
vice versa, pick up a transfer, known as a correspondence, from the machines
after the turnstiles in the station, or ask the bus driver for a transfer after
purchasing a ticket. Transfers are valid for 90 minutes, and the time stamped
on the ticket indicates when it will expire.
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Tips for Riding
the Metro
Prices are in Canadian dollars. No foreign currency exchange is available
at booths, but American dollars will be taken at face value ($1 US for
$1 CDN).
Daily and weekly passes are available for purchase and are valid for unlimited
rides. During rush hour trains are crowded and this increases the opportunities
for pickpockets. Stay alert and keep belongings and valuables in sight
or in hard-to-reach areas.
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TOURIST DESTINATIONS
Montreal's cityscape is composed of districts or neighbourhoods, each with
its own distinct atmosphere and featured attractions. Reach many of these popular
hangouts using the metro, and also find an assortment of shops, restaurants
and museums central to Montreal's charm and allure.
Downtown
Montreal's downtown is a fusion of old and new, with modern skyscrapers and
historic churches setting the backdrop. The area is encompassed by Rue Sherbrooke
to the north, Rene-Levesque Boulevard to the south, St-Laurent Boulevard to
the east and Rue Drummond to the west. A hub of excitement, this cosmopolitan
area features major museums, department stores, the city's main railroad station
and many luxury hotels. Retreat from the cold winters and humid summers below
in the Underground
City, a network of shops, restaurants, banks and cinemas located beneath
Montreal's downtown streets and accessible by several metro stations. The layout
consists of corridors and tunnels leading to open plazas. Above ground, visitors
can also explore the districts and neighbourhoods of Montreal's downtown including
Chinatown, Quartier du Musee, Quartier des Spectacles and Quartier International
de Montreal.
Chinatown
Location: South of Boulevard Rene-Levesque and at the intersection of Rue Clark
and Rue de La Gauchetiere
Metro Stop: Place-d'Armes
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| Chez
Chine Restaurant at the Holiday Inn Montreal Centre-Ville 2 |
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Montreal's
Chinatown is a vibrant district, filled with restaurants and shops delivering
Asian flavour and style. Its origins date back to the 1860s, when Chinese immigrants
made their way to Montreal for work and new opportunities. The first Chinese
laundry opened in 1877 on the corner of St-Antoine and Jeanne-Mance streets,
followed by Sun
Ling Lung, the first grocery store in the area, located at 72A de La
Gauchetiere Street. Built in 1826, the Wing
Building is the oldest structure in Chinatown and today houses a fortune
cookie manufacturing plant. Visitors to the district are greeted by two white
stone lions gracing the entrance on Boulevard St-Laurent, and the pagodas of
the Holiday
Inn Select Montreal Centreville are examples of Chinese influence and
style. Holidays and festivals are celebrated in the streets, with vendors hawking
traditional crafts and exotic foods.
Quartier du Musee
Location: Major streets include Rue
Crescent, Rue de la Montagne and Rue Sherbrooke
Metro Stop: Guy
Concordia/Peel
Art, fashion and culture reign supreme in the Quartier
du Musee, or Museum Quarter, with a multitude of high-end boutiques,
art galleries and fine-dining establishments located along its main streets
of Crescent, de la Montagne and Sherbrooke. A central landmark is the Montreal
Museum of Fine Arts, showcasing contemporary Canadian talent as well
as classic masterpieces from international artists. Go for a walk in the neighbourhood
and enjoy viewing the old Victorian-style buildings and structures influenced
by Anglo-Saxon and Italian architecture.
Quartier des Spectacles
Location: Intersection of Rue Ste-Catherine and St-Laurent Boulevard, bound
by Rue City Councillors, Rue Berri, Rue Sherbrooke, and Rene-Levesque Boulevard
Metro stop: Place-des-Arts
Quartier
des Spectacles is the quintessential spot for some of Montreal's most
popular events including the Jazz
Festival and Just
for Laughs. Check the WorldWeb.com
Travel Guide events
page for an extensive list of all types of happenings in the area. Bars,
performance halls and cultural venues line the streets of this downtown sector,
making for a lively and entertaining stop. Popular attractions include the Monument
Nationale, the National
Theatre School of Canada, with two stages for small- and grand-scale
shows, the Metropolis,
a trendy concert venue and the Musee
d'Art Contemporain de Montreal, exclusively dedicated to showcasing
contemporary artworks including a large collection of work by French Canadian
abstract artist, Paul-Emile Borduas.
Quartier International de Montreal
Location: Main streets include Rue St-Urbain, Rue St-Antoine, Rue St-Jacques
(between McGill and University), University and Viger
Metro Stops: Square-Victoria/Bonaventure/Place-d'Armes
Linking the city's business district with Old
Montreal, the Quartier
International de Montreal (QIM) is an urban area dedicated to architecture,
design and arts and culture. Take a break in the newly restored Victoria
Square and admire the water jets and rows of meticulously planted trees,
or visit Place
Jean-Paul-Riopelle, a plaza named after the Quebec artist that designed
its elaborate fountain, La
Joute. La Joute, or the Joust, is a visually appealing structure composed
of bronze sculptures and a central fountain that at one phase is encircled by
a ring of fire, operated by a kinetic sequence. The Palais
des Congres (convention centre) is a major international draw, hosting
several events and meetings throughout the year. The modern design of the building
and the use of light and colour achieves a dynamic atmosphere.
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Terrace
on Place Jacques Cartier - Old Montreal 3 |
Old Montreal and Old Port
Location: Flanked on the north by Rue St-Antoine, on the south by Old Port,
the east Rue Berri and the west Rue McGill
Metro Stop: Cote-Vertu
A walk around Old
Montreal will leave visitors enchanted by the 18th and 19th century
architecture lining its cobbled streets. Museums, boutiques, art galleries and
sidewalk cafes are all found along its narrow pathways including Rue St Paul,
Montreal's oldest street. Many of the city's popular historic attractions are
located here, including the breathtaking Notre
Dame Basilica, across from Place
d'Armes, and a favourite summer hangout, Place
Jacques Cartier, lined with street artists, outdoor cafes and kiosks.
An obelisk marks where Montreal's first settlers landed in 1642 at what was
then called Ville Marie, and at the Champs
de Mars, remains of fortified walls are visible. Enjoy people-watching
while strolling along the promenade Rue de la Commune, situated along the Old
Port. The romance and charm of Old Montreal is best captured during the night,
when buildings and monuments are illuminated, basking in their glorious past
and present beauty.
Parc du Mont-Royal
Metro Stops: To reach St. Joseph's Oratory get off at Cote-des-Neiges
and for the park get off at the Mont-Royal
stop
Spanning an area of nearly 200 hectares (500 acres), Parc
du Mont-Royal, affectionately known as the “mountain” by locals, was
designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the architect of New
York's Central
Park. Three peaks make up the park, including Outremont, Westmount and
Mont-Royal itself. Opened to the public in 1876, Parc du Mont-Royal continues
to be a popular destination for tourists and Montrealers alike, with several
activities available year-round. Enjoy inner-tubing, cross-country skiing, skating,
snowshoeing, birdwatching and cycling. Beaver Lake on the hill is an attractive
area for a picnic and a refreshing dip, and is equipped with changing rooms
and snack bars. Main attractions flanking the hill include the towering St.
Joseph's Oratory, with its massive dome, historic cemeteries including
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges
Cemetery (Catholic) and Mont
Royal Cemetery (non-denominational but mainly Protestant), and the University
of Montreal's campus, with its blend of green spaces and modern architecture.
Lookouts on the hill include an area called the Chalet, offering panoramic views
of the city and the river.
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Interesting Metro
Facts
Montreal's
metro uses rubber tires as opposed to steel, resulting in a quieter ride.
Some have noticed a peanut smell in the stations. This is from peanut
oil used on the cars' brake shoes.
Each station is unique and includes pieces of artwork creating an aesthetic
appeal and what amounts to an underground art gallery.
There is no Line 3 (1-Green, 2-Orange, 4-Yellow, 5-Blue). Originally,
plans included the construction of a surface metro line using the existing
railway tracks under Mount Royal. Negotiations with CN Rail stalled and
with the upcoming Expo 67, attention was re-directed to develop line 4.
Today, the tracks are used for the commuter train, Deux-Montagnes.
Busiest Day: September
11, 1984 – Millions used the metro to see Pope John Paul II in Jarry
Park.
The metro has run
all night on two occasions: During Montreal's snow storm of the century
on March 3, 1971, when gusts of wind reached 110 km (68 mi) per hour and
47 cm (19 in) of snow fell on the city. The other occasion was on December
31, 1999, for millennium celebrations.
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Parc Jean-Drapeau
Location: Islands of Sainte-Helene and Notre-Dame
Metro Stop: Jean-Drapeau
Situated in the middle of the St.
Lawrence River, Parc
Jean-Drapeau consists of the islands of Sainte-Helene and the man-made
Notre-Dame, both chosen for the location of Expo 67. Between 1963 and 1967,
Sainte-Helene Island was expanded using 25,400,000 tonnes (28,000,000 tons)
of backfill and Notre-Dame Island was entirely created from scratch, using earth
and rocks removed during excavations from the metro construction. Main highlights
include the Montreal
Casino, housed in the former Quebec and French Expo Pavilions, and the
amusement park La
Ronde, also the site for the Montreal
International Fireworks Competition held in the summer. Walk through
the gardens, swim at the aquatic complex, relax on the beach or explore the
trails scattered around the islands.
Little Italy
Location: Along St-Laurent Boulevard between rue St-Zotique and Rue Jean Talon
Metro Stop: Jean-Talon
Make a stop at Little
Italy for a taste of Italian culture, fashion and food, all the while
admiring the churches and architecture. Many Italian families settled in the
Montreal area after the Second World War, continuing their traditions and upholding
their roots from the homeland. Walk down St-Laurent Boulevard, which features
Italian designers, and then head for Rue Dante, lined with cafes, trattorias
and shops serving authentic Italian cuisine and specialty coffees such as espresso
and cappuccino. The Jean-Talon
Market, a major attraction in this area, explodes with freshness. Hundreds
of stalls and gourmet shops sell fresh produce, meats, cheese, baked goods and
other food products. Find Italian markets with authentic Italian delis, and
stocked with imported products and multiple types and name brands of pasta.
The Plateau
Location: Bordered by Boulevard St-Joseph in the north, rue Sherbrooke to the
south, Avenue Papineau to the east and Rue St-Urbain to the west
Metro Stop: Mont-Royal
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Antique
Shop on Saint-Laurent Boulevard - Plateau Mont-Royal 4 |
This trendy neighbourhood is located northeast of Montreal's downtown area.
During its start as a working class area, the Plateau
was home to many foreigners that arrived to new beginnings. St-Laurent Boulevard
became known as the Main,
and was predominantly Jewish, although the Plateau as a whole was a mix of several
different cultures and traditions. Today it continues to feature a multitude
of tastes and trends with old warehouses and homes having been converted into
shops, boutiques and restaurants. A favourite stop is on St-Laurent Boulevard
at Schwartz's
Deli, famous for its smoked meat sandwiches.
Pole des Rapides
Location: Lachine, LaSalle, Le Sud-Ouest and Verdun boroughs
Metro Stop: Angrignon
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| Montreal
Skyline Viewed From the Parc Jean-Drapeau 5 |
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Native Montrealers and tourists flock to Pole
des Rapides, located on the southwest part of the island by the St.
Lawrence River and Lachine Canal. Visitors will find bicycle trails, picnic
areas, and historic and cultural sites. Attractions include the Atwater
and Lachine
markets, Fleming
Mill Historical Interpretive Centre and Angrignon Park. The Parc
des Rapides offers views of the Lachine Rapids and opportunities for
birdwatching including herons and ducks. Watersports include rafting, kayaking
and canoeing, and throughout the year festivals or activities abound in the
surrounding boroughs of Lachine,
LaSalle,
Le Sud-Ouest and Verdun.
Quartier Latin
Location: Centered on Rue St-Denis, between De Maisonneuve Boulevard and Rue
Ontario
Metro Stop: Berri-UQAM
The Quartier
Latin is a cultural and commercial centre, first settled by Montreal's
Francophone middle class at the beginning of the 19th century. Today the area
encompasses several theatres and cinemas including the Quartier
Latin Movie Theatre, an entertainment complex with 3200 seats, coffee
shop, billiard tables, bar and underground parking. Educational and cultural
establishments are also found in the district including the Universite
du Quebec a Montreal, Cegep
of Old Montreal and the Bibliotheque
Nationale du Quebec. A mixture of merchants and restaurants round out
the attractions making the Quartier Latin a featured spot for Montreal culture
and experiences.
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Outdoor
Terrace on Saint-Denis Street, Quartier Latin 6 |
The Village
Location: Along Rue Ste-Catherine from Rue St-Hubert to Rue Papineau
Metro Stops: Berri-UQAM/Beaudry
Montreal's Village
is one of the largest gay and lesbian communities in North America. The atmosphere
is vibrant and energetic, and a variety of cafes, boutiques, nightclubs and
antique shops line the streets. A rainbow of colours marks the Beaudry metro
station, serving as a symbol of diversity and acceptance in the community. Several
festivals and annual events are held in the Village, including the Divers/Cite
pride parade in August, which celebrates sexual diversity, and the Black
and Blue Festival held in October, a non-stop circuit party. Montreal
hosted the first World Outgames in 2006 and continues to welcome and support
alternative lifestyles.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Stephan Poulin; c/o Tourisme Montreal; View of Downtown Montreal from the
Mont-Royal Park; Montreal, QC, Canada
- Holiday Inn Select Montreal Centre-Ville; c/o Tourisme Montreal; Chez Chine
Restaurant at the Holiday Inn Montreal Centre-Ville; Montreal, QC, Canada
- Stephan Poulin; c/o Tourisme Montreal; Terrace on Place Jacques Cartier
- Old Montreal; Montreal, QC, Canada
- Stephan Poulin; c/o Tourisme Montreal; Antique Shop on Saint-Laurent Boulevard
- Plateau Mont-Royal; Montreal, QC, Canada
- c/o Tourisme Montreal; Montreal Skyline Viewed From the Parc Jean-Drapeau;
Montreal, QC, Canada
- Stephan Poulin; c/o Tourisme Montreal; Outdoor Terrace on Saint-Denis Street,
Quartier Latin; Montreal, QC, Canada
