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| Montreal
Skyline1 |
Montreal
is a rich and vibrant city that boasts a uniqueness born partly from it being
the largest French-speaking city in North America. Activities abound in Québec's
cultural hub, from diverse festivals
and numerous museums
to the city's thriving bicultural music and art scene. The charm of the city's
Old Montreal area, once a major shipping port, can be seen by walking
through the cobblestone streets lined with historic
buildings and churches.
Culinary treats can be found in every borough of the city, influenced by its
ethnically diverse population. The ever-popular Montreal-style bagels and smoked
meat restaurants
are examples of how the allophone communities (immigrants who speak neither
English or French) have contributed to the wide selection of restaurants, cafés,
and farmers markets available in the city. Once known as one of the “sin
cities” during the Prohibition period, due to its eclectic nightlife
scene, the city still holds the reputation for being a great place to party.
Enjoy a beverage or dance the night away at one of the bars
or pubs
located on popular Crescent
Street, located right in the downtown core. There is something for everyone
in this multicultural city.
BEST PLACE TO DRUM
No one really knows exactly
when the Tam Tams started but it was sometime in the 1980s that local
Montrealers started drumming, play acting and dancing on Mount
Royal, a hill (known as "the mountain" to locals) that is
a prominent landmark situated in the middle of the island of Montreal
and just north of the city's downtown core. The Tam Tams, a French word for
hand drums, is a popular event that takes place every Sunday on the three-peaked
hill, located in Mount Royal Park. From May to September this free event is
open to anyone who wants to participate or just watch people express their creativity
through drumming, dancing or medieval acting. Art performers and bohemian-type
folk also hang out and entertain locals and tourists. Attendees may want to
bring food as only water and ice cream are for sale.
Mount
Royal Park is located in the Town of Mont
Royal, an area in Greater
Montreal that was predominantly anglophone until the 1960s and is now
46 per cent francophone. The mountain bears a 31.4 m (1.3 ft) cross, which is
owned by the City of Montreal and was erected in 1924. In the early 1990s, the
cross was converted to fibre-optic technology, which turns the cross' lights
purple, red or blue. The first cross was placed on the mountain in 1643 by the
founder of Montreal, Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve.
Mount Royal Park, one of
Montreal's largest greenspaces, is also a great hangout and recreational area
for bikers, walkers, cross-country skiers and picnic-goers as well as a place
to go for other cultural activities, which are numerous in the warm summer months.
BEST SPORTING EVENT
The Montreal
Canadiens playing hockey immediately comes to mind as the most popular
sporting event to watch in Québec but there is something else that rivals
its popularity, which takes place every summer: the Canadian
Grand Prix. In 2005, the auto racing event became the third most watched
sporting event in the world and since 1967 became part of the Formula One World
Championship.
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| Circuit
Gilles-Villeneuve2 |
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Since 1978, local Montrealers
and tourists have flocked to watch this exciting auto race to see professional
racing at its best. Currently located on Île Notre-Dame at the beautiful
Parc Jean-Drapeau, the race started as a sports car event in 1961
at the Mosport
International Raceway in Ontario
but moved to Québec
16 years later. The track was aptly named Circuit
Gilles-Villeneuve shortly after Québec native Gilles Villeneuve,
a racing great, was killed in a practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix in
1982. Villeneuve was also the first Quebecer to win on this track in 1978.
The Villeneuve race track
is normally public roads when not in use for the race, making this street circuit
particularly fast. A famous part of the track is the wall on the outside of
the last chicane of the track, nicknamed “The Wall of Champions,”
as several drivers have ended their race at this challenging corner.
BEST CONCERT HALL
A popular concert venue,
the Metropolis
has hosted such artists as David Bowie, Cold Play, Ben Harper, the White
Stripes and some francophone musicians such as Jean Leloupa and Les Cowboys
Fringants. The venue holds up to 2,300 spectators and seating is on a first-come,
first-serve basis.
The building, which is now
home to the Metropolis, has gone through many transformations in over more than
100 years of its existence on Sainte-Catherine Street East. In 1884, the space
was first used as a public skating rink, then as a summer theatre before a fire
did major damage to it in the late 1800s. Almost a quarter of a century later,
the venue was renovated and turned into a movie theatre and then was hit by
another blaze in the early 1930s. The building was then used as an adult movie
house in the 1960s until it closed its doors in 1981. Six years later, it was
reopened as a disco and in 1997 became what is now one of the most popular concert
venues in the city. Walking in the concert hall's adjoining lounge, The
Savoy, will bring the visitor back to the caberet era, with its crystal
chandeliers and intimate atmosphere. Sitting just over 200 guests, the lounge
is also a spot for live performances and a good choice for a cosy meeting place.
BEST MARKET
Jean-Talon
Market is an outdoor market that boasts a wide selection of food stalls
that are open year-round and runs about two full city blocks long. Great food
awaits the hungry visitor that is keen to experience this area that is not a
typical tourist hangout. Located close to Little
Italy, an area in the borough of Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, the market
can be found only a short walk away from the Jean-Talon
Metro Station. Even restaurant owners and chefs frequent this fabulous
ethnic market.
It will take at least an
hour to roam the stalls and tour the market and restaurants; it's worth every
minute. There are endless food choices at this trendy market, including cheese
stores, fresh fish and produce, organic food, Italian restaurants, maple syrup,
sushi and chocolate shops among other vendors. Once the black sheep of the market
scene in Montreal, compared to its more outgoing cousin
Atwater Market, this market has spruced up its reputation and brings
in more shoppers every year.
There are many tasty and
interesting food shops that shouldn't be missed at this market: La
Fromagerie Hamel is a true cheesemonger that sells over 400 varieties
of cheese from all over the world. Open since the 1960s, this establishment
offers daily wine and cheese tastings. The south side of the market itself is
a more trendier area with plenty of restaurants and shops, including Patak Chutneys
and the Boucherie
An-Nasr (Moroccan deli). Other temptations at this market include a
gourmet grocery store and an outdoor crepe station, when the weather permits.
BEST UNDERGROUND CITY
One of the unique features
of Montreal is its underground city, the largest underground
complex in the world. Named RESO in 2004, a homonym for the french word
“reseau,” Montreal's
underground interconnects shopping, businesses, restaurants, hotels, museums,
universities, metro stations, the city's two commuter train stations and the
Bell
Centre.
Deemed an urban planning
achievement, this underground city is 32 km (20 mi) of tunnels spread over 12
sq km (4.6 sq mi). Interestingly, the first shopping centre that was built in
1962 as part of the underground city, Place
Ville Marie, was initially built to cover unsightly railway tracks in
the area. In 1989, the underground went through a major expansion, almost doubling
in size, thankfully for Montrealers who have to endure the city's cold damp
and snowy winters.
BEST MUSEUM
The Montreal
Museum of Fine Arts is the largest museum in Montreal. Three pavilions
make up this prominent Canadian museum, including the modernist Jean-Noel Desmarais
Pavilion. Art lovers will be blown away at the 40,000 pieces of art work to
look at, including the 19-century paintings and sculptures.
Founded in 1860 with the
establishment of the Art Association of Montreal, the original building of the
museum was built in 1912. Montreal merchant Benaiah Gibb donated
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Montreal
Museum of Fine Arts3 |
a large sum of money, some
land and many paintings to the association, which was a large boost to the association
that led the museum to be built about three decades later.
In addition to paintings
and sculptures, visitors can check out the Tropical Rainforest Greenhouse, which
showcases the forest's upper stratum or view the epiphytic bromeliads, a plant
that is colourful in foliage and exotic in shape. Also take time to visit the
Peace Garden to view the Turkish Iznik floral tiles and the abundant garden
tulips.
BEST DANCE TROUPE
Since 1980, La
La La Human Steps has been mixing ballet with modern dance moves which
have been entertaining people all around the world. With at least seven original
dance performances under their belt since the group's inception, this contemporary
dance group has become a world-renowned dance troupe. Based in Montreal,
the group performs at Montreal's performing arts centre Place
Des Arts.
The dance company's performance of Amelia premiered at this venue in 2002. La
La La Human Step's choreographer, Édouard Lock, is recognized as one
of the top ten choreographers in the world and has brought passion, energy and
originality to the world of dance for many years.
Touring nationally and internationally,
the Montreal dance troupe's 1985 creation, Human Sex, jump-started the company's
international success and literally propelled them to new heights. This performance
won a Bessie award for choreography in 1986. If the spectator has been lucky
enough, they have seen the group perform their signature move, the “barrel
jump,” an incredible horizontal pirouette in the air. The group has performed
alongside several national ballets, including Russia's oldest ballet, the Bolshoi
Ballet, and has collaborated with the Paris Opera and musicians, such as Frank
Zappa.
BEST CHURCH
Located in historic Old
Montreal, the Notre-Dame
Basilica, a neo-Gothic style church, is one of the most dramatic in
the world due to its magnificent colours, high altar, wood carvings and religious
statues. The interior is a stunning sight with its ceiling painted deep blue
speckled with gold stars, its high main altar carved from linden wood and its
beautiful stained glass windows.
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| Notre-Dame
Basilica4 |
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Built between 1824 and 1829,
the basilica's other amazing features include a large pipe organ, a carillon
bell in the east tower, and a huge bell in the west tower that only rings on
special occasions. The basilica's stained glass windows depict Montreal's religious
history. Due to the massive size of the basilica, which can sit up to 4,000
guests, the Sacré-Coeur Chapel was built behind the basilica in1889.
Destroyed in a fire in 1978, the chapel was rebuilt using old photos and pictures.
The church has hosted the
marriage of Céline Dion, the funerals of former prime minister Pierre
Elliott Trudeau and hockey legend Maurice Richard. Visit the basilica at Christmas
time for a treat, as visitors can attend the annual performance of Handel's
Messiah. Next door to the basilica is Montreal's oldest hotel building, the
Saint-Sulpice.
Built in 1685, this is another worthwhile stop while discovering Old Montreal.
BEST GARDEN
The Montreal
Botanical Garden is a treat for the senses any time of the year with
its 21,000 plant species and cultivars, 10 exhibition greenhouses and an Insectarium
as the major attractions at this plant paradise. In operation since 1931, this
lure is located close to many other interesting attractions, including the
Biodôme, the Olympic
Stadium and Montreal's
bustling downtown. It's a good idea to plan ahead as there are many interesting
sites to see. It will take up to one hour to peer at all the bugs and insects
at the Insectarium; one hour for each greenhouse; and one to four hours to tour
the breathtaking outdoor gardens. Visit the 2.5 ha (6.17 acres) Japanese Garden,
the aquatic and wetland plants of the Aquatic Garden or take in the aroma of
10,000 roses at the Rose Garden. The rustic and unique Chinese Garden, which
was built by 50 craftsmen, has many exhibits, such as the Mighty Soybean and
the Magic of Lanterns exhibitions. Educational programs and scientific activities
are open to the public and organized with local schools.
BEST SANDWICH PLACE
The Café
Santropol is a warm and inviting sandwich shop situated in the trendy
west-end area of the Plateau
of Montreal. Within walking distance to other must-sees, such as McGill
University and Hôtel-Dieu de Montreal, this perfect sit-down restaurant
was opened in 1976 by the man who started it all, Garth Gilker.
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Café
Santropol5 |
Gilker rented the space
to prevent the demolition of the existing building without a thought as to what
the space would become. After collecting furniture and painting the space, Gilker
came up with the idea to turn the space into a cosy café for students
and other local Montrealers. Now with a regular clientele, this café
has plenty to offer; an enclosed garden patio in the back offers a relaxing
abode after a day of shopping or sightseeing. Surrounded by flowers and trees,
the garden entices visitors to sit down and enjoy a great menu; a large assortment
of massive sandwiches, dreamy milkshakes topped with fresh fruit and a great
selection of salads and soups for picky eaters.
Whether sitting inside or
outside, a few favorite selections off the menu are: the Killer Tomato sandwich
and the No. 13, a banana, cream cheese, honey and jam monster sandwich. A great
place to people watch, the café also brings in tons of people in the
winter months, as hungry patrons can choose to sit inside or out back in the
enclosed terrace sipping a warm beverage under the heat lamps.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Montreal Skyline;
View of Montreal; Montreal, QC, CAN
- Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve;
Named after Quebec Native and auto racer Gilles Villeneuve; Montreal, QC,
CAN
- Montreal Museum of
Fine Arts; Largest museum in Montreal; Montreal, QC, CAN
- Notre-Dame Basilica;
neo-Gothic style church built in the 19-century; Montreal, QC, CAN
- Garth Gilker; Café
Santropol; Cosy sandwich shop on St. Urbain Street; Montreal, QC, CAN
