Montréal: A Cultural Connection

City view of Montréal

Montréal defies all superlatives. Though an incredible city in its own right, it is much more than this. When you visit here, you will be introduced to a whole new way of living life to the fullest. The locals here call it "joie de vivre" which literally translated means "joy of life" and that is what Montréal's people seem to be expert at. More than anything else Montréal is a fantastic atmosphere, and possesses a vibrancy and excitement you won't find anywhere else. Of course the unique blend of North American dynamism and Old World refinement helps. Culture seems to ooze out of the sidewalks. Montréal is a melange of ethnic and national influences that have all contributed to what makes it such a special place. Enjoy watching life go by from an outdoor café, shop in an underground shopping mall for haute couture, dine at a fine French restaurant and follow with a jazz club or a major league baseball game. You will never run out of new things to experience, even after a multitude of visits.

CLIMATE

	Montréal Haute Couture

The seasons in Montréal are distinct. Summer is usually quite hot and sunny; it can sometimes be humid. Fall is a little cooler but still very pleasant and has the added bonus of the beautiful autumn leaves, which are numerous in a city full of maple trees. Winters are cold and snowy, but Montréal is well prepared for this, there is a vast underground city of shopping malls linked to hotels, office buildings and metro (Montréal's subway) stations, if you don't want to, you need never go outdoors. Spring revitalizes the city, the days are long and fairly warm so this is an ideal time to visit.

TRANSPORTATION

Montréal is a major transportation centre. Highways and railways converge here, so there are connections by bus and rail to all over Canada and the U.S.A. Montréal is a relatively short drive from many of the major population centres of the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S.A., and Ontario. Montréal has two international airports with direct flights to all major Canadian and U.S. cities. There are also flights to many cities in Europe. One airport, Dorval, serves nearly all scheduled flights, while the other, Mirabel, is mostly for charters and cargo.(For more transportation information click here)

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

The Basilica of Notre-Dame, Montréal

The Basilica of Notre-Dame in Old Montréal is one of North America's most splendid churches as well as one of its largest - it holds 5000 people. The church was built between 1824 and 1829 and its neo-gothic style is reminiscent of some of the great European cathedrals. The stain-glass windows depict the history of the original parish. The interior is highlighted by magnificent woodcarvings that are painted and gilded. The church's east tower is known as "The Temperance," it holds a ten-bell carillon. The west tower is called "The Perseverance" and it has a giant bell that weighs nearly 11,000kg. If you feel so inclined, attend one of the masses here, they are noteworthy.

	Montréal's Olympic Sports Complex

The Olympic Sports Complex is a magnificent example of modern engineering and architecture. It was conceived for the Montréal Olympics of 1976. To visit today, it is hard to imagine the controversy that has surrounded its construction. It took nearly 20 years to complete it as it was originally intended, and the cost overruns were astronomical. It is still being paid for. This is a major conversational topic among Montréalers. The tallest inclined tower in the world - the Montréal Tower - overhangs the stadium. A funicular cable car takes you 175 metres to the top and this enables you to enjoy a breathtaking view of Montréal and its environs for miles around. The stadium is known as the "Big O" or by the more cynical as the "Big Owe!" It is though, by any standards, a remarkable structure. It is home to the Montréal Expos baseball team, and is also used for trade exhibits and concerts. The stadium holds 80,000 and if you are not attending a game or event you are still able to take a tour and learn more about this amazing structure.

In the former Olympic Velodrome cycling stadium, the Montréal Biodome has been a major success story. Its attendance statistics have far exceeded original expectations, so it is best to go during the week rather than the weekend when it can be very crowded. The Biodome is best described as a museum of the environment. It re-creates four different ecosystems - a Laurentian shield woodland, the Gulf of St Lawrence marine environment, a tropical rainforest and the Polar Regions. Each ecosystem is complete with appropriate plants and wildlife. Of particular note is the rainforest with crocodiles swimming in the rivers, and monkeys swinging from the trees. The Laurentian Shield woodland has a beaver lodge in a lake. The Gulf of St Lawrence ecosystem has colourful tidal pools, and the penguins at the Polar Regions are always popular.

The Montréal Botanical Garden founded in 1931 is now the third largest in the world. It has ten greenhouses (that are open to the public) and thirty different outdoor gardens - in all there are approximately 26,000 varieties of plants. There are 700 species of orchid and particularly impressive Chinese and Japanese Gardens. There is a tree house (not the children's variety) where you can learn about Quebec's forests and the major way trees contribute to the urban environment. To gain a different perspective on experiencing a garden, don't miss the Courtyard of the Senses specially designed for visually impaired visitors. In the grounds of the Botanical Garden is the Montréal Insectarium. Whether you like insects or not, this is fascinating. In the summer you can take a walk through the Butterfly House with thousands of free-flying butterflies. Terrariums display insects in their native habitat. The entrance ticket for the Botanical Garden includes admission to the Insectarium.

Montréal's St Patrick's Day Parade

Montréal is a city of festivals and these occur throughout the year. At the end of January is the Fête de Neiges (Festival of Snow) with skating, ice carving and tube slides. There is a major St Patrick's Day Parade, which is a tribute to the large part of the city's population celebrating their Irish origins. In the early summer there is the International Fireworks Festival one of the best in the world. This is held at La Ronde, located on the Parc des Îles a series of islands in the St. Lawrence which were originally developed for Expo '67 (the World's Fair of 1967.) In early June there is the Air Canada Grand Prix, a Formula 1 race. On June 24th is Fête National, formerly known as St Jean Baptiste Day, this is Quebec's national holiday and includes a big parade.

At the end of June and the beginning of July is the world renowned Montréal Jazz Festival. Many of the concerts are free and are held at various venues throughout the city. This is a big attraction so it is advisable to book accommodations early. Equally famous is the Just-for-Laughs Comedy Festival. This is a bilingual event with over 200 performers and over half a million attendees. Some acts are free and for others an admission is charged. At the beginning of August there is Montréal's International Gay and Lesbian Pride Festival, which is a fun time for everybody. In early fall there is the Montréal World Film Festival, held at several theatres around town.

You cannot possibly leave Montréal without sampling the local specialty - the Montréal Smoked Meat Sandwich. Montréal's smoked meat is world famous, it is usually aged naturally without chemicals and additives. Thick slices of this meat between fresh rye bread with a generous dab of mustard and a pickle on the side and you have the perfect sandwich. There are numerous delis serving this splendid delicacy throughout Montréal, but among the more popular are Ben's, Schwartz's and Smoke Meat Pete. It is a matter of local debate as to which of these serves the best sandwich.