Old Montreal, Montreal

Take a Calèche Ride through the old town to step back in time. It is a rather cool thing to do. Though I will warn you, for what you get, it is quite an expensive adventure. Our guide wasn't very talkative. But the friend of mine who came with me is a local, and had long dreamed of touring his home town in the back of a carriage. He had a smile on his face the whole time. Now anything that makes someone smile is certainly worthwhile! You will get a different perspective of the old town streets, Notre Dame and the chance to put your feet up, just sit back and relax and watch the world go by. Call the number below for Montreal Central - they can probably organise a reservation. Mind you, you will hardly need one....

Claude de Ramezay (1657-1724), originally from Champagne in France, and named Governor of Montreal had this house built in 1705. On the slight incline that leads to Notre Dame street, it was a venue for his official functions and home for his family of 16 children.

The Governor's Gardens in the back are gorgeous!

Build in a French Empire style in 1872, restored in 1922, this building represents what Montreal really is with its architectural beauty and wonderful surrounding. It's lit with multiple colors at night and get a special winter lights coating during the cold months.

Visits of the building can be arranged

See the building real time:
http://www.montrealcam.com/

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I visited Canada included in a french group (a decision to practice my fading french), and they looked surprised when I said, in Quebec, that I was feeling like being in France. "Completely different" they argued. Well... reading about this classical building (in a now moved or lost site) I found:

"L'hôtel de ville, bel exemple du style Second Empire ou Napoléon III, est l'oeuvre d'Henri-Maurice Perrault, auteur du palais de justice voisin.

En 1922, un incendie (encore un!) détruisit l'intérieur et la toiture de l'édifice. Celle-ci fut rétablie en 1926 en prenant pour modèle l'hôtel de ville de Tours en France..."

Well... I was not so crazy after all!

Built in the Second Empire style, the city hall is one of the most recent buildings of Old Montreal. If you think it looks like it was uprooted from France, you will be pleased to know it was modelled on the one in Tours, France.

Surprinsingly enough, this city hall is the only one Montreal has ever had. Between the time Montreal was incorporated as a city in 1832 and the construction of the city hall in 1878, city representatives gathered at a number of places, including several since-demolished stone houses.

You can visit the hall of honour on your own (weekdays only) or take part in a one-hour guided tour (summer months and groups only; reservations are necessary). Entrance is free! Note that the most of the interior dates from the 1920's because of the terrible fire that ravaged city hall in 1922.

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Here's a great way for new visitors to see and learn about Montreal. With 45-minute tours of the harbor and 90-minute tours of the Lachine Canal, in both French and English, this is one of the more enjoyable things to do in Montreal.

This small boat can accomodate up to 30 passengers. Run on electric power, it's both clean and quiet. Private tours are also available.

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The Old Port is another wonderful place to just stroll about. The piers offer boat tours and trips to the islands. The views of the city and the St Lawrence River are great.

The high point is the Clock Tower. Built after World War I, it commemorates Canada's sailors who served in that war. The view from the top is one of the best in the city. For decades, it has greeted ships entering the port.

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You will probably want to begin your visit to Montreal in or near the Old City. Montreal was founded in 1642, not too long after Quebec City. Originally named Ville-Marie, it was fortified by the French. Following the French and Indian War (the Seven Years' War in Europe), the British took control.

Wandering the narrow streets lined with quaint shops and cafes, you don't need to be going anywhere in particular. One can browse in the stores inside Bonsecours Market, have a cup of coffee at the Place Jacques-Cartier, take a carriage ride along the Rue de la Commune, or go window-shopping along the Rue Notre Dame.