Mont-Royal, Montreal

If you are in Montreal on a Sunday, during summer time, you will be crazy to miss one of the greatest music gatherings or festivals ,held in Mont Royal park from 1pm till 6 pm.People just gather to play tam tam and dance, in a free spirited and energetic ambiance...DO NOT MISS IT !!

4 more images

The PArc provides fantastic views of the city below, the best in town. It takes considerable effort to get up to the view points and you should not attempt it if you are not in shape but once up the views are worth the effort.

Another must-see in Montreal is the Lookout on Mount Royal. A few minutes walk from the parking lot gives you breathtaking view of the entire city. Last time I visited, they were shooting part of a movie there.
If you walk a little further down the dirt path, you will come upon the cross. This is lit up at night and can be viewed by most of Montreal.
The park was designed by Frederick Olmsted, the same designer of Central Park in NYC.

4 more images

The Mont-Royal is the lung of Montreal. Located in the middle of the city, it is always the perfect place for a walk, a run, a bicycle ride, a picnic, to play a sport or simply admire the incredible views of this city on the two panoramic viewpoints.

4 more images

Up on the Mont-Royal, there is two panoramic viewpoints. The one in front of the downtown area is called "the Chalet lookout". Here you have a magnific view of all the buildings, the St-Laurent river, the Montérégie region and, when there is a blue sky, a part of Vermont in the States.

If you come to Montreal for at least a week, take a break of all the action and come to admire this view.

4 more images

Up on the Mont-Royal, there is two panoramic viewpoints. The one in front of the east part of Montreal is called "The Camilien-Houde lookout". Each day, many cars crossing the mount stop here to take a break and also take many pictures. There you have a wonderfull view of the Olympic stadium, the Jacques-Cartier bridge, the St-Laurent river, the Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile-End districts. It is also possible to walk from the other viewpoint to this one.

At night, be sure to find many couples kissing. The perfect spot for a little love.

1 more image

Mont-Royal is a hill that is immediately north of the city downtown.
The mountain is part of the Monteregian mountain chain situated between the Laurentians and the Appalachians. This hill (or small mountain) is just over 200 meters high.

I wonderful way to spend a morning is to take a slow walk up the meandering path to the summit of the mountain. At the top is a really nice view of the city Montreal. I was really happy to have walked my way up. Besides the huge viewing balcony, there are many gift shops and paths along the hill for walking.

4 more images

City of snow and of tunnels, where winter seems never to be ceasing, we wonder if we'll transform into moles by the end of it. That would be, if we did'nt have our beautiful Parc du Mont-Royal, our mountain in the middle of our island, and our multitude of parks and skating rinks.
This is where I learned to ski, both cross-country (there are 20 km of trails) and downhill and both with my cross-country skis, I don't suggest trying the later. Younger and older children can have fun tobogganing and tub sliding. When your older, you usually go at night with your friends, especially if there was a fresh fall of snow. And there are snowshoeing trails as well as ice skating. You can rent some equipment at the Beaver Lake pavilion.

In summer, thought, when we have our warm temperature back, then again do we go and enjoy our mountain. Sometimes for the Tam-tams, which are so many being percutionned that you can hear them well before you arrive. They are out as soon as the last snow has melted, as in this cold climate we take everything we can of the warm weather. Others go to participate or look at medieval tournaments. Made just for the fun of it, nothing organised. But fun enought for people who enjoy reenacting such battles.
Other than that, you can simply go and have a long nice walk amongst the trees, in small paths or on larger ones. And rent a pedal boat atop. Or rent a bike and go on the mountain biking paths.
Map of the park

Some history facts:
In 1535, Jacques Cartier climbed the mountain guided by the native inhabitants of Hochelaga (Native name for Montreal), and named it Mont-Royal. And in1874, Frederick Law Olmsted is hired by the City of Montreal to draft plans for the park. The same landscape architect who design Central Park, in New York.

To drive to the Mont-Royal Park: Car: Avenue Du Parc and take Voie Camilien-Houde to go up, there's lots of parking spaces.
Le MontRoyal driving instructions