| Page Views: 10,572 Last Visit to Montreal: January, 2009 I Visit Here Frequently | Montréal: the coolest city in Canada, guaranteed by Carmanah - last update: Jan 12, 2009 |
| Montréal's Chinatown in December |
|
| Montréal skyline as seen from Mont Royal |
|  |
Montréal, Québec, Canada
Location: 45° 30' North, 73° 33' West
Population: 1,620,693 (2006 Census)
Founded: May 18, 1642
Montréal is definitely the coolest city in Canada. It's the perfect balance of passion and sentiment. It's eccentric, historic, seedy, brash, romantic, sexy, bilingual, and beautiful all rolled into one.
But Montréal is no Disneyland. It has attractions, but not as many as you'd imagine. It's a city of neighbourhoods first and foremost. As a result, without putting any effort into discovering Montréal's secrets, it may not be evident upon first glance.
It's a kind of city where you go to take in the atmosphere... to enjoy the enormous restaurant scene, to sip some red wine at a lounge... to drink an espresso at a cozy cafe, or to dance the night away at a club. It's the kind of place where you take in the atmopshere by strolling through the cobble-stone streets... by people watching on the terrasses, and where a crowd of a thousand can gather sponataniously in a park and dance on a rainy afternoon.
Of course, you could say that this is a very romanticized thing for me to say. My historical geography professor once explained to the class at how Montreal's the most segregated city in Canada, where the French live here and the English live there and the Jewish community lives over there, and whatnot. This might have been Montreal of the past, but those boundaries have certainly blurred. Montréal is a very diverse and bilingual city.
There's also the bizarre political situation in Montréal that's always lurking in every aspect of its society. For example, if I speak English to a waitress at a restaurant, she may or may not be offended - I never know. Alors je parle un peu de français parce que je peux le faire... but that's always sitting in the back of my brain and I can never detach myself from it. |
| Montréal's old port in January |
| | I've visited Montreal three times in my life. The first time was in May of 2003 on my first real solo trip away from home. Fortunately, a friend of mine who had spent time living in Montréal was able to introduce me to the city in a personalized fashion. Unfortunately, I think I only spent 2 full days in Montréal, if that. It certainly deserved more time.
My second time in Montréal was during the winter time. I arrived on Boxing Day (December 26) and stayed in Montréal-Ouest. We spent a lot of time hanging out friends and family, going to dinners and live music venues. It was my first real "Canadian" winter, if you want to call it that. I mean, I've spent a lifetime of winters in Canada on the west coast, but this was the first time I had ever experienced endless days of snow and subzero temperatures.
My third visit to Montréal was similar to my second time. Once again, I was flying in on Boxing Day and spent New Years there. This time I did a few more touristy things like visit the Biodome and the Botanical Garden. For the first time I started to feel like I knew Montréal.
While I certainly am not an expert on this city, this page illustrates my three times in the city. It is so completely different from anything in British Columbia (Canada's west coast) that it truly does feel like you're in a separate country. |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Home to a vibrant, eccentric Québecois culture where everyone puts effort into looking good. Cafes galore, free-spirited, unique neighbourhoods, good public transit, great restaurants, real arts community, it's a beautiful cultured city in general!" | | Cons: | "While you can certainly get by with only knowing English, there are definitely political issues if you don't speak French. There's harsh cold in the winter and intense summer heat. The winter lasts a long time." | | In A Nutshell: | "The coolest city in Canada, guaranteed!" |
Carmanah's Montreal Travel Tips
 Carmanah's Montreal Travelogues | | | |
|
 Comments for Carmanah about Montreal | | | | |
Stephanie Tue Jan 13, 2009 06:14 UTC
Sad when a restaurant closes down - but thanks for updating your tip. :((( | titabell Sun Oct 26, 2008 02:38 UTC
Hello Robyn, your tips sound like Montreal is a great place to go...beautiful tips and pictures! I like the hotel and restaurant tips the most...and of course, the things to do! | Bavavia Sun Oct 12, 2008 02:53 UTC
I am looking at your montreal tips now and so filled with info! i am not done yet though, still reading thru them all. Love the winter pictures of chinatown!! ok back to reading your tips!! | BillNJ Sat Apr 19, 2008 01:27 UTC
Interesting tips and photos. I love Montreal -- it is certainly a unique place! Best from New Jersey, Bill |
|
|
email me
add as friend
