Old Montreal, Montreal

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Favorite thing: A Clean City! It's truly impressive how impressive Vieux Montreal (the old city). The fact that many of the streets are pedestrianized helps a lot - it keeps down both air and noise pollution. In fact, I think that Montreal is noticeably cleaner than most comparable European cities.

The first two pictures are from my 1996 visit to the city, while the photos of the old warehouses along the quai are from 2008.

Favorite thing: Go to Old Montreal (METRO Place d'Armes) and walk around. The city is faboulous for walking in any season. There are many new boutique hotels (Gault Hotel, Hotel Nelligan, Hotel Saint-Paul, Hotel Saint-James) in Old Montreal and the area is seeing a veritable renaissance. Lots of good restos as well. Check out the Notre-Dame Basilica at Place d'Armes.....the most beautiful blue interior.

Fondest memory: When I am away from my home I miss the openess, the acceptance, the freedom and the joie de vivre in the city. I miss the people. Oh yeah, and I miss the bagels :-)

Favorite thing: It was a cold winter morning as we strolled through the old town. Everything was still closed, and it was nice to window shop without a soul insight! Not too much to do here, as it was the middle of winter, but you should visit. Here I am in the main square, called Place Jacques Cartier.

Favorite thing: This is a view of the promenade along the Old Port with Bonsecours Market and the Jacques Cartier bridge in the background.

In summertime this is a very popular area for both locals and tourists. Usually constant activity going on and lots of family-friendly things to do (Montreal Science Center, Imax theatre, Bonsecour basin, etc.) Also where tickets for river cruises and riding the Lachine rapids can be bought.

Fondest memory: Beautiful area on a summer afternoon or evening, like this one in mid-August.

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Favorite thing: For many North Americans Vieux Montreal is the closest that they will get the European atmosphere. This old town of one of North America's oldest towns has been handsomely restored in an attempt to make it look like it did in the 18th century. Vieux Montreal caters to the tourists' taste. It full of decent restaurants, cafes and bars. It is also home to the rather aged Hotel de Ville (City Hall) and the Basilique Notre-Dame which probably the most beautiful place of worship that I visited in Canada.

Favorite thing: I went to Montreal for just a night.
I could only go to Old Montreal, but it was an unforgettable night for me.
When I get there, it was night time.
It was soooooo romantic and beautiful place.
I've never been such a wonderful place.
I recommend you to go there with a person you really love.
There are lots of musicians, artists.
I'm sure you'll have fun!!!!!

Favorite thing: In planning our trip to Canada I came acros this excellent website about Old Montreal:

vieux.montreal.qc.ca

It has lots of really detailed information about Vieux Montreal and an amazing knowledge base with interactive maps which let you examine detailed information from the city records about every building in the area, including pictures (recent and archive), construction and architectural notes, ownership and current usage etc. and this for every single building in the area. There are even notes on each street and piece of public art.

The direct link to the knowledge base is here:

vieux.montreal.qc.ca/inventaire/hall_htm.htm

This is by far the best civic/architectural heritage site that I have seen.

But I will have to wait until November to see if the actual reality lives up to the virtual representation of this website.

We shall see!

Favorite thing: To The Atwater Market and Park beside the newly renovated Lachine canal with its walking and Bike paths all along the canal and into the City.

Fondest memory: Visiting The Lachine canal by guided boat tour and The International Mosaicultures with guide