Montreal, Québec

July 2022

Montreal, the largest city in the province of Quebec, is a city of contrasts - a blend of old-world charm and modern urbanity. The city's rich history is evident in its architecture, from the grand old buildings of Old Montreal to the sleek skyscrapers of downtown. At the same time, Montreal is a vibrant, multicultural city that is known for its lively arts and music scenes, world-class dining, and exciting nightlife.

Montreal was founded in 1642 by French settlers and quickly became an important trading center. The city grew rapidly in the 19th century, thanks in part to the construction of the Lachine Canal, which allowed ships to bypass the treacherous rapids of the St. Lawrence River.

In the 20th century, Montreal became a major cultural hub, with a thriving arts scene and a reputation for hosting world-class events like Expo 67 and the 1976 Summer Olympics. Today, Montreal is a diverse and cosmopolitan city with a unique blend of French and English cultures.

Get ready for your trip!

Visa: If you are from the European Union, you do not need a Visa to enter Canada but an eTA. Check further entry authorization or visa requirements in Government of Canada Official Website.
Currency: The official currency of USA is the Canadian Dollar (CAD/$). 1€ = $1.5. Check updated currency change in Xe Website before your trip.

Want to visit Montreal but unsure of how much it'll cost? Shoot me an email and I'll provide estimates and assist you in planning your trip!

Orientative prices: Coffee can cost around $5-7
Vaccines - no extra vaccines are required to enter Canada

What to do in Montreal

Montreal is a vibrant city with a rich history and plenty of things to see and do. Here are some suggestions for activities and attractions, as well as a brief overview of the city's history:

Visit Old Montreal: This charming neighborhood is home to some of the city's oldest buildings, including Notre-Dame Basilica, Place Jacques-Cartier, and the Bonsecours Market.
Explore Mount Royal Park: This 200-hectare park is a great place to hike, bike, and enjoy stunning views of the city.
Check out the museums: Montreal has many excellent museums, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Pointe-à-Callière Archaeology Museum.
Stroll through the Botanical Garden: This beautiful garden features over 20,000 plant species and is a great place to relax and enjoy nature.
Taste the food: Montreal is known for its delicious food, especially its bagels, poutine, and smoked meat sandwiches. Be sure to try some local specialties while you're there.

In the few days I visited Montreal, I was able to do most of these activities but unfortunately didn't have time to visit museums. In the upcoming sections, I'll highlight some of the best things to see and experience in Montreal, including its famous Mount Royal Park, stunning botanical garden, delicious cuisine, and some other curiosities. Get ready to discover why Montreal is truly an amazing city!

Mount Royal Park

Mount Royal is a significant hill in Montreal that offers stunning views of the city and surrounding areas. It is home to Mount Royal Park, which is one of the largest green spaces in Montreal, featuring walking and hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields. The mountain also has several lookout points, including the popular Kondiaronk Belvedere and the historic Chalet du Mont-Royal, which offers a panoramic view of the city from its terrace. Mount Royal is an important symbol of Montreal's history and identity, making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to experience the city's beauty and character.

View of the downtown skyline from the lookout on Mount Royal

The botanical garden

The Montreal Botanical Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world and covers over 190 acres of gardens, greenhouses, and thematic exhibitions. It showcases over 22,000 plant species, including rare and exotic specimens, and offers several themed gardens that highlight different cultural traditions such as the Chinese and Japanese Gardens. Additionally, visitors can explore indoor greenhouses that feature tropical and subtropical plant life from around the world, organized by geographic region. The garden offers educational programs, guided tours, and special events throughout the year, making it an ideal destination for plant enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking a peaceful retreat. The garden also features the First Nations Garden, which showcases indigenous plant species and traditional houses of indigenous people.

The chinese garden at Montreal botanical garden.The Montreal Botanical Garden's Chinese Garden is a serene oasis with traditional Suzhou-style architecture and plants, and hosts Chinese cultural events like the Lantern Festival.

We were surprised by this beautiful hawk in the botanical garden, if you know the speecies please let me know! (although this low-quality photo might not be enough to do this)

Indigenous people in Québec

The Indigenous people of Montreal are the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) and Anishinabeg (Algonquin) nations, who have inhabited the region for thousands of years. However, like many Indigenous communities in Canada, they have faced significant challenges over the years. They have also been affected by high rates of poverty, addiction, and suicide. In addition, many Indigenous people in Montreal are survivors of residential schools, which were established by the Canadian government in the 19th century with the aim of assimilating Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. You can find more information about Kanien’kehá:ka and Anishinabeg in the links provided.

Map at the botanical garden showing indigenous communities in Québec. According to the 2016 census, Canada has more than 1,673,785 people who identify themselves as an Aboriginal person. Therefore, they represent 4.9% of the Canadian population. There are over 11 indigenous nations and more than 55 indigenous communities in Quebec, including the Innu (yellow), Cree/Cris (blue), Atikamekw (green), Algonquin (light blue), and Naskapis (pink - not shown, north).

The history and traditions of each community can be found in the Canadian Encyclopedia.

The city of Montreal has recently taken steps to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Indigenous people to the city's history and culture. The First Nations Garden at the Montreal Botanical Garden is just one example of these efforts. By showcasing Indigenous plant species and traditional houses, the garden honors the rich cultural heritage of indigenous people in Montreal. Among others, 79 firs (Abies balsamea), 42 white birches (Betula papyrifera), 45 hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) as well as a dozen butternuts (Juglans cinerea) and black walnuts (Juglans nigra) were planted. Moreover, also many different herbaceous and shrub species that are important in Native tradition, such as bluebead-lily (Clintonia borealis), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) and hairy gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum), colonize the forest soil. Source: espace pour la vie.

Birch trees hold great significance for Indigenous peoples in Quebec, who have used them for food, medicine, and to create various tools and crafts for thousands of years. They are also an important cultural symbol and hold spiritual significance.

Montreal in summer!

Here are some key points about Montreal in the summer:

Festivals: Montreal is known for its many festivals, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, and the Montreal International Beer Festival, to name just a few. These events bring together people from all over the world and offer a diverse range of cultural experiences. I went to the Osheaga music festival and had a blast!
The International Fireworks Competition: This event is a highlight of Montreal's summer season and takes place over several weeks in July and August. Spectators can watch fireworks displays from different countries each week, set to music and other special effects.
Street art: for some amazing street art head to the area near St-Laurent.
Other outdoor activities: As you can see, there are plenty of other things to do in Montreal during the summer months. Enjoy picnics, explore the city's many bike paths, and take a boat cruise on the St. Lawrence River... I did a BBQ with my friends and the park was full of people playing, eating and chatting, so fun!

Overall, Montreal in the summer is a lively and exciting place, with something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're interested in cultural events, outdoor activities, or simply soaking up the atmosphere of this historic city, there is plenty to see and do.

I was amazed to learn that the fireworks take place every other day in summer. I saw them from in between the buildings when walking home from a BBQ, but checked this official website for jaw-dropping images.

Montreal's french heritage

The story of Montreal's French and English communities is a complex one that stretches back centuries.

Jacques Cartier was a French explorer who is credited with discovering the St. Lawrence River and exploring much of what is now eastern Canada. He made three voyages to the region between 1534 and 1541, mapping the coastline and establishing French claims to the area. This is why, when the city of Montreal was founded in 1642, it was a French settlement, and for many years, French was the dominant language and culture.

However, in the 1760s, Montreal was conquered by the British, and the English gradually became more influential in the city. The British established institutions like McGill University and the Montreal Stock Exchange, and English became the language of business and government.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Montreal remained divided along linguistic lines. The French-speaking population, which made up the majority of the city, felt marginalized and discriminated against by the English-speaking elite. This led to tensions and occasional outbreaks of violence, particularly during the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, when Quebec's Francophone population began to demand more autonomy and recognition.

In the decades since, Montreal has become a more bilingual and multicultural city, with both French and English playing important roles in the city's identity. While there are still tensions between the two linguistic communities, there are also many efforts to bridge the divide and promote understanding and cooperation. Today, Montreal is known for its unique blend of French and English cultures, and its vibrant arts and cultural scene reflect the diversity and creativity of the city's population.

Jacques Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence River and established French claims to eastern Canada. In 1934, France gifted a statue of him to Montreal to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Cartier's first voyage to Canada, symbolize the strong ties between the two nations and Cartier's significant role in Canadian history.

Food

Poutine, bagels and smoked meat sandwiches are iconic to Montreal and have become cultural institutions in the city. Although debated, the origin of Poutine is generally believed to have originated in rural Queben in the 1950s. Visitors to Montreal should make it a point to try these dishes at some of the city's most famous eateries, such as Schwartz's Deli for smoked meat sandwiches, Fairmount Bagel for Montreal-style bagels, and La Banquise for poutine.

Montreal hosts an annual Poutinefest, where vendors from all over Canada come together to showcase their unique twists on the classic dish.

Poutine, a classic from Canada! The traditional one is made of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy, and this is a Poutine I ate at Poutinefest and I added pulled pork on top!

Fairmount Bagel is an iconic bakery in Montreal's Mile End neighborhood, established in 1919 by Jewish immigrants from Poland. They are famous for their traditional hand-rolled bagels baked in a wood-fired oven, and have become a cultural landmark in Montreal, beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Smoke meat sandwiches are a Montreal specialty made with seasoned beef brisket that has been cured with spices and smoked. Served on rye bread with mustard, they are a delicious and iconic dish that is a must-try for visitors to the city. Unfortunately, Schwartz's Deli had a loooooooong queue so we went opposite to Main Deli, quite nice!

Other restaurant and coffee shops recommendations:

Old Montreal:

Tommy: Great coffee shop with an amazing atmosphere, with several locations around Montreal. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about coffee.
Collective Café Crew: A cozy cafe with a great selection of coffee and pastries. The decor is trendy and welcoming and there are coworking spaces
Terrasse de Bonsecours: It's a great spot to watch the fireworks on Saturday nights during the summer
Cathcart: A modern food hall with a great selection of food from different cuisines. The atmosphere is lively and perfect for groups. I was recommended the tacos and the Korean fried chicken (but did not try myself). It's close to the Museum of Contemporary Art, so perfect for a bite before or after going there
Rooftop hotel Neiligan: The rooftop bar has an amazing view of the city. The atmosphere is sophisticated and upscale. The drinks are a bit pricey, but it's worth it for the view (close to Notre-Dame Basilica)
Terrasse Place d'armes: The terrace has a beautiful view of the Notre-Dame Basilica. The atmosphere is relaxed and perfect for a drink with friends. I was told that the margaritas are a must-try.

Mont-Royal

Camilien-Houdon: The view from the lookout is breathtaking. The climb is a bit steep, but it's definitely worth it. It's a great spot to watch the sunset over Montreal.
Kondiaronk: The view of the city from the terrace is absolutely stunning
India Rosa: Amazing Indian food with great prices. The decor is very modern and the service is excellent. The lamb vindaloo is a must-try.

Tips

Here are some tips for when you visit Montreal in summer:

If you're looking for a picturesque view of Montreal, be sure to check out Parc Jean-Drapeau.
Get a Bixi Montreal account to go around Montreal in bike. The stations can be found around the city and they have also electric bikes. Download the App, and a monthly subscription (the cheapest) is around 20 CA$. Remember to cancel your subscription before the month is due, don't be like me haha. To cancel your subscription you have to send an email to info@bixi.com.
If you decide to do a BBQ, Consider giving your empty cans or bottles to the people around you who collect them, as they can receive money for returning them to the store. This is a great way to help out and support the local community.
Don't forget that Canada has the same tip principle as in the US (approx. 10-20%)
Eva B for thrift shopping and a coffee!

Big thanks to my awesome friend Dom for showing me around his current home!!

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