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Montreal, QuebecMontr¨¦al is a modern and colorful city offering the perfect blend of historic buildings, modern structures, and skyscrapers. Below the ground, another city exists, where extremes of heat and cold are unknown. To the west and north of downtown are mainly English speaking commercial and residential neighborhoods, centered around Westmount. To the east and north are French speaking quartiers, notably Outremount and Plateau Mont-Royal. In between are the many dialects and cultures of residents and business people from around the globe. Montr¨¦al, home to a third of the population of the province of Quebec, occupies about one-third (60 square miles) of the island of Montr¨¦al, which is part of the Hochelaga Archipelago. The island is situated in the St. Lawrence River near where it joins the Ottawa River. At the city's center is a 764-foot hill called Mont-Royal, from which the city takes its name. Nearby rise more mountains: the Laurentides (the Laurentians), the oldest mountain range in the world. The foothills of the Appalachian mountains separate Qu¨¦bec from the United States and add to the province¡¯s beauty. Two cultural traditions live side by side throughout Qu¨¦bec and in the nine provinces of English Canada, but the blending occurs in a particularly intense fashion in Montr¨¦al. French speakers constitute 66% of the city's population, while most of the remaining residents are speakers of many other languages, but predominately English and Spanish. Montreal is experiencing phenomenal growth and success. Unemployment in Quebec, has shrunk to under 7%, the lowest mark in more than 2 decades and below that of Toronto. Crime in Montr¨¦al, already one of the safest cities in North America, has hit a 20-year low. Favorable currency exchange and the presence of skilled workers have made the city a favored site for Hollywood film and TV production. A billion-dollar building boom has filled vacant plots of land all over downtown. The old hockey arena has been converted to a dining and entertainment center called Forum Pepsi, and La Ronde, a popular amusement park, has been given an exciting new look by the Six Flags empire¡¯s multi-million dollar renovation. The subway system, (the M¨¦tro), is modern and rapid. Streets are clean and safe. Montr¨¦al's restaurants are known for their fine and varied cuisine and their reasonable prices. The city has fantastic parks and gardens. The huge Parc du Mont Royal offers year round recreational opportunities including walking, picnicking, jogging, horseback riding, bicycling, tobogganing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. The jazz and art scene immediately engage the visitor, and the nightlife is unrivaled in its zest and variety. Montreal is a city of culture, of tradition, of excitement and of promise. It is culturally diverse and always interesting. It is a place to visit as often as possible. There is always yet another delightful corner of this fascinating, fun city to discover. Population: 3.4 million Area: 61 sq. miles Time: Eastern Standard Time (When it is 12:00 Noon in New York City; it is 12:00 Noon in Montreal. When to Go Summer and fall are popular because of the mild weather and a number of festivals: the 10-day Festival International de Jazz in late June, the International Fireworks Competition in late June and July, and the World Film Festival and Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in August. For winter sports enthusiasts, December ¨C March are the months of choice. Fierce weather is never a problem in Montreal ¨C visitors can always retreat to the pleasant year-round climate of the Underground City! Montreal is beautiful at any time of the year. ¡¡ The following are the average monthly temperature ranges for Montr¨¦al: ¡¡ ¡¡
¡¡ Holidays New Year's Day, (January 1) Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day (third Monday in May) St. Jean Baptiste Day (June 24) is a provincial holiday. Canada Day (July 1) Labour Day (first Monday in September) Thanksgiving (second Monday in October) Remembrance Day (November 11) Christmas, and Boxing Day (December 25, December 26) ¡¡ Banks & Offices Most banks in Canada are open Monday through Thursday 10-3 and Friday 10-5 or 6. Some banks are open longer hours and also on Saturday morning. All banks are closed on national holidays. Banks, shopping malls, many large hotels, and some gas stations have automated teller machines (ATMs) that are accessible around the clock. ¡¡ Museums & Sights ¡¡ Hours at museums vary, but most open at 10 or 11 and close in the evening. Some smaller museums close for lunch. Many museums are closed on Monday; some make up for it by staying open late on Wednesday, often waiving admission. Churches are usually closed and locked (to prevent vandalism) except during scheduled religious services The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montr¨¦al, however, is open daily, usually from 9-6. Customs & Duties Arriving in Canada For information, contact: Revenue Canada (2265 St. Laurent Blvd. S, Ottawa, ON K1G 4K3, 204/983-3500; 800/461-9999 in Canada). Emergencies Ambulance, fire, police( 911). Hospital Emergency Rooms Montr¨¦al General Hospital(1650 av. Cedar, 514/937-6011). Late-Night Pharmacies Many pharmacies are open until midnight, including Jean Coutu and Pharmaprix. Some are open around the clock, including the Pharmaprix on chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges. Guided Tours Boat Tours From May through October, Amphi Tour ( 514/849-5181 or 514/386-1298) offers a unique one-hour tour of Vieux-Montr¨¦al and the Vieux-Port on both land and water in an amphibious bus. Bateau-Mouche( 514/849-9952) runs four harbor excursions and an evening supper cruise daily May through October. The boats are reminiscent of the ones that cruise the canals of the Netherlands : wide-beamed and low-slung, with a glassed-in passenger deck. Boats leave from the Jacques Cartier Pier at the foot of Place Jacques-Cartier in the Vieux-Port. Bus Tours Gray Line( 514/934-1222) offers almost a dozen different tours of Montr¨¦al and environs from May through October, fewer the rest of the year. It has pickup service at the major hotels and at Info-Touriste (1001 Sq. Dorchester). The double-decker buses of Imperial Tours ( 514/871-4733) follow a nine-stop circuit of the city. You can get off and on as often as you like and stay at each stop as long as you like. There's pickup service at major hotels. Language Although Canada has two official languages : English and French : the province of Qu¨¦bec has only one. French is the language you hear most often on the streets in Qu¨¦bec; it is also the language of government, businesses, and schools. Most French Canadians speak English as well, but it is useful to learn a few French phrases before you go. Canadian French has many distinctive words and expressions. Money ATMs ATMs are widely available. Currency The units of currency in Canada are the Canadian dollar and the cent, in almost the same denominations as U.S. currency ($5, $10, $20, 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, etc.). The $1 and $2 bill are no longer used; they have been replaced by $1 and $2 coins (known as a "loonie" because of the picture of a loon that appears on the coin, and a "toonie," respectively). Taxes A goods and services tax (GST) of 7% applies on virtually every transaction in Canada except for the purchase of basic groceries. A $15 airport tax (for capital improvements) is charged when you leave. You can pay cash or with a credit card. You can get a refund of the GST paid on purchases taken out of the country and on short-term accommodations of less than one month, and more than two days.Rebate forms, are available from the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (Visitor Rebate Program, Summerside Tax Centre, 275 Pope Rd., Suite 104, Summerside, PE C1N 6C6, 902/432-5608; 800/668-4748 in Canada, www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca). (Be sure to use the official government form. Private firms distribute ¡°official looking¡± forms, obtain the refund from the government on your behalf, and charge a commission for the service. The government charges no fees. ) Always save the original receipts from stores and hotels (not just credit-card receipts), and be sure the name and address of the establishment is shown on the receipt. Original receipts are not returned. To be eligible for a refund, receipts must total at least $200, and each individual receipt must show a minimum purchase of $50. ¡¡ Telephones The country code for Canada is 1. The area code for Montr¨¦al is 514. You do not need to dial the three-digit area code when making a call from within the same code. ¡¡ Arriving & Departing By Air Dorval International Airport (YUL)(975 blvd. Ren¨¦-Vachon, Dorval, 514/394-7377), 221⁄2 km (14 mi) west of the city, handles all scheduled foreign and domestic flights and some charter operations. Mirabel International Airport (YMX)(12600 rue A¨¦rogare, Mirabel, 514/394-7377), 541⁄2 km (34 mi) northwest of the city, serves most charter traffic. Passengers departing Montr¨¦al must pay a $15 airport-improvement fee before they can board their plane. Flying time to Montr¨¦al is 11⁄2 hours from New York, 2 hours from Chicago, 6 hours from Los Angeles, and 61⁄2 hours from London. Transfers Between the Airport and Town By Bus L'Aerobus( 514/931-9002) offers shuttle service into town from Mirabel and Dorval. Shuttle service from Mirabel to the terminal next to the Gare Centrale (777 rue de la Gaucheti¨¨re) is frequent By Bus Greyhound Canada( 800/661-8747) has service from Toronto and points west in Canada. All buses arrive at and depart from the city's downtown bus terminal, the Station Central d'Autobus Montr¨¦al (505 blvd. de Maisonneuve Est, 514/842-2281), which connects with the Berri-UQAM M¨¦tro station. By Car Montr¨¦al is accessible from the rest of Canada via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), which enters the city from the east and west via Routes 20 and 40. The New York State Thruway (I-87) becomes Route 15 at the Canadian border, and then it's 47 km (29 mi) to the outskirts of Montr¨¦al. U.S. I-89, from New Hampshire and Vermont, becomes Route 133 at the border, eventually joining Route 10 to reach Montr¨¦al. I-91, from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, becomes Route 55 at the border and also joins up with Route10. By Train The Gare Centrale, on rue de la Gaucheti¨¨re between rues University and Mansfield (behind Le Reine Elizabeth), is the rail terminus for all trains from the United States and from other Canadian provinces. It is connected underground to the Bonaventure M¨¦tro station. Amtrak( 800/872-7245) Adirondack leaves New York's Penn Station every morning for the 101⁄2-hour trip through scenic upstate New York to Montr¨¦al. The Vermonter, which travels between Washington, D.C., and St. Alban's, Vermont, is also connected with Montr¨¦al, via a through bus connection provided by Amtrak. VIA Rail ( 514/989-2626; 888/842-7245; 800/361-5390 in Qu¨¦bec) connects Montr¨¦al with all the major cities of Canada, including Qu¨¦bec City, Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver. By Bus Soci¨¦t¨¦ de Transport de Montr¨¦al( 514/288-6287), (STM), administers the buses as well as the M¨¦tro, so the same tickets and transfers (free) are valid on either service. By Car Car Rentals Rental cars are readily available in Montreal. Insurance. For insurance information, contact Insurance Bureau of Canada ( 416/362-9528; 800/387-2880 in Canada, www.ibc.ca). Gasoline Gasoline is always sold in liters (a gallon=3.8 liters). Lead-free is called sans plomb. Rules of the Road Road signs are in French in Qu¨¦bec. The speed limit is posted in kilometers; on highways the limit is 100 kph (about 62 mph), and the use of radar-detection devices is prohibited : possession of such a device in a car, even if it is not in operation, is illegal in Qu¨¦bec. Qu¨¦bec law forbids you to turn right on a red light. By Subway The M¨¦tro, or subway, is clean, quiet, and safe and it's heated in winter and cooled in summer. The M¨¦tro is also connected to the 18 miles of the Underground City. Each of the 65 stops has been individually designed and decorated. Free maps may be obtained at M¨¦tro ticket booths. By Taxi Taxis in Montr¨¦al all run on the same rate. Neighborhoods ¡¡ Montreal is laid out in a grid pattern and defined by neighborhoods and districts. ¡¡ Downtown: This area displays the most striking elements of the dramatic Montr¨¦al skyline and contains the main railroad station, as well as most of the city's luxury and first-class hotels, principal museums, corporate headquarters, and largest department stores .It is loosely bounded by rue Sherbrooke to the north, boulevard Ren¨¦-L¨¦vesque to the south, boulevard St-Laurent to the east, and rue Drummond to the west, ¡¡ Downtown Montr¨¦al incorporates the neighborhood formerly known as "The Golden Square Mile," which once held dozens of mansions erected by the wealthy Scottish and English merchants and industrialists who dominated the city's politics and social life well into the 20th century. Many were torn down and replaced by skyscrapers after World War II. At the northern edge of the downtown area is the urban campus of prestigious McGill University. ¡¡ Rue Crescent One of Montr¨¦al's major dining and nightlife districts lies just west of western shadow of the downtown skyscrapers. It holds hundreds of restaurants, bars, and clubs of all styles between Sherbrooke and Ren¨¦-L¨¦vesque, The party atmosphere is ongoing every evening, especially in warm weather, as the sidewalk cafes and balconies fill with revelers. ¡¡ St.-Denis Rue St-Denis, from rue Ste-Catherine Est to avenue du Mont-Royal, from the Latin Quarter downtown and continuing north into the Plateau Mont-Royal district is the entertainment center. Cafes, bistros, offbeat shops, and lively nightspots make this area what boulevard St-Germain is to Paris. ¡¡ Boulevard St-Laurent M¨¦tro St-Laurent and up Blvd. St-Laurent, In the 1880s the first of many waves of Jewish immigrants escaping pogroms in Eastern Europe arrived. They called the street the Main, as in "Main Street." The Jews were followed by Greeks, Eastern Europeans, Portuguese, and Latin Americans. The 10 blocks north of rue Sherbrooke are filled with boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. ¡¡ Chinatown The Chinese first came to Montr¨¦al in large numbers after the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1880. They settled in an 18-block area between boulevard Ren¨¦-L¨¦vesque and avenue Viger to the north and south, and near rues Hôtel de Ville and de Bleury on the west and east, an area now full of mainly Chinese and Southeast Asian restaurants and shops. ¡¡ Quartier Latin The Universit¨¦ de Montr¨¦al was established here in 1893, and the students and academics called it the Latin Quarter. The university later moved to a larger campus. The area declined, but revived in the 1970s, after the opening of the Universit¨¦ du Qu¨¦bec ¨¤ Montr¨¦al and the start of the Annual International Jazz Festival. ¡¡ Vieux-Montr¨¦al Home to the first European settlers, for almost three centuries this was the financial and political heart of the city. Government buildings, office buildings and warehouses, the largest church, the stock exchange, and the port were here. Vieux-Montr¨¦al (Old Montr¨¦al), was revitalized over the past 40 years. Today it is a center of cultural life and municipal government. Most of the summer activities revolve around Place Jacques-Cartier, which becomes a pedestrian mall with street performers and outdoor caf¨¦s, and the Vieux-Port, one of the city's most popular recreation spots. ¡¡ Place Jacques-Cartier This two-block-long square at the heart of Vieux-Montr¨¦al opened in 1804 as a municipal market; during the summer it becomes a flower market. Rue St. Amable, a one-block lane southwest of Place Jacques-Cartier, is a marketplace for artists and craftspeople. The fashionable Rue St-Paul runs north-south through Place Jacques-Cartier. ¡¡ The Underground City During Montr¨¦al's long winters, life slows on the streets of downtown. People move down escalators and stairways into la ville souterraine. In the controlled climate, there is no worry of disruption of activities by the outdoor elements, It is possible to arrive at the railroad station, check into a hotel, go out for lunch at any of hundreds of fast-food counters and full-service restaurants, see a movie, attend a concert, conduct business, go shopping, and even take a swim-all without a thought for the weather! There are now more than 1,600 shops, 40 banks, 200 restaurants, 10 M¨¦tro stations, and about 30 cinemas within easy reach of one another, and with no traffic snarls. ¡¡ The Village The city's gay and lesbian enclave, one of North America's largest, runs east along rue Ste-Catherine from rue St-Hubert to rue Papineau. This small but vibrant district, is filled with clothing stores, antique shops, bars, dance clubs, caf¨¦s, and the Gay and Lesbian Community Centre, at 1301 rue Ste-Catherine Est. A rainbow marks the Beaudry M¨¦tro station, in the heart of the neighborhood. Two major annual celebrations are the Diver/Cit¨¦ in August and the Black & Blue Party in October. ¡¡ ¡¡ Ile Ste-Helene St. Helen's Island in the St. Lawrence River was altered extensively to become the site of Expo '67, Montr¨¦al's very successful world's fair. In the 4 years before the Expo opened, construction crews reshaped the island and doubled its surface area with landfill, then went on to create beside it an island that hadn't existed before, Ile Notre-Dame. The city built bridges and 83 pavilions. When Expo closed, the city government preserved the site and a few of the exhibition buildings. Parts were used for the 1976 Olympics, and today the island is home to Montr¨¦al's popular casino and an amusement park, La Ronde. Attractions ¡¡ ¡¡
McGill University 845 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Square Mile, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 514/398-4455 Admission free. Museum: Sept.-May, Mon.-Thurs. 9-5; June-Aug., weekdays 9-5 James McGill, a wealthy Scottish fur trader and merchant, gave the money and the land for this English-language institution, which opened in 1828. A tree-lined road leads from the Greek-Revival-style Roddick Gates to the neoclassical Arts Building at the northern end of the campus. The templelike building to the west of it houses the Redpath Museum of Natural History, which includes a collection of dinosaur bones, old coins, African art, and shrunken heads. ¡¡ Jardin Botanique 4101 rue Sherbrooke Est, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 514/872-1400 May-Oct., daily 9-7, Nov.-Apr., daily 9-5 This botanical garden has 181 acres of plantings in summer and 10 exhibition greenhouses open all year. Founded in 1931, the garden contains more than 26,000 species of plants. Traditional tea ceremonies are held in the Japanese Garden. Other highlights are the: (1) Insectarium : which houses more than 250,000 specimens (2) Montr¨¦al-Shanghai Lac de R¨ºve, the largest Ming-style Chinese garden outside Asia. ¡¡ Château Dufresne 2929 rue Jeanne-d'Arc, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 514/256-4636 Tues.-Fri. 9:30-noon and 1:30-4:30, weekends 10-5. The ground floors of this Beaux-Arts palace are open to the public and provide a glimpse into the lives of the Montr¨¦al bourgeoisie in the early 20th century. The lavish decor includes oak staircases with gilded rails, marble-tile floors, stained-glass windows, and coffered ceilings. Many of the walls are decorated with murals by the artist Guido Nincheri, who also decorated many of the city's most beautiful churches. ¡¡ Le Centre Canadien D'architecture 1920 rue Baile, Shaughnessy Village, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 514/939-7000 Oct.-May, Wed.-Sun. 11-6, Thurs. until 8; June-Sept. Tues.-Sun. 11-5, Thurs. until 9. Phyllis Lambert, heiress to the Seagram liquor fortune and an architect, designed the Canadian Center for Architecture. The ultramodern U-shaped structure of gray limestone is filled with her collection of drawings, photographs, plans, books, documents, and models. The center's six exhibition rooms house visiting exhibits. ¡¡ Mus¨¦e D'arch¨¦ologie Pointe-À-Calli¨¨re 350 Pl. Royale 514/872-9150 July-Aug., weekdays 10-6, weekends 11-5; Sept.-June, Tues.-Fri. 10-5, weekends 11-5. An audio-visual show gives an overview of the area's history from the time of Jacques Cartier. Visitors then go down to the bank of the Rivi¨¨re St-Pierre that once flowed past the site and was where the first settlers built their homes and traded with the local natives. Archaeologists have unearthed the city's first Catholic cemetery, with some tombstones still intact. There also remain the stone foundations of an 18th-century tavern and a 19th-century insurance building. ¡¡ Mus¨¦e D'art Contemporain 185 rue Ste-Catherine Ouest 514/847-6226 free after 6 PM Wed. Tues. and Thurs.-Sun. 11-6, Wed. 11-9. The museum's permanent collection of more than 5,000 works of modern art contains works by Qu¨¦b¨¦cois, Canadian, and international artists, but focuses on the works of Qu¨¦bec artists. It has, for example, 72 paintings, 32 works on paper, and a sculpture by Paul-Émile Borduas (1905-60), one of Canada's most important artists. The museum has weekend programs, with many child-oriented activities, and almost all are free. ¡¡ Mus¨¦e Des Beaux-Arts De Montr¨¦al 1380 rue Sherbrooke Ouest 514/285-2000 Permanent collection free, special exhibitions admission fee. Tues.-Sun. 11-6 (special exhibitions stay open until 9 PM Wed.) The art collection at the Museum of Fine Arts is housed in the older Benaiah-Gibb Pavilion on the north side of rue Sherbrooke and the glittering glass-fronted Pavilion Jean-Noël-Desmarais across the street. The collection includes European and North American fine and decorative art; ancient treasures from Europe, the Near East, Asia, Africa, and America; Canadian art; and Native American and Inuit artifacts. The Mus¨¦e des Arts D¨¦coratifs de Montr¨¦al is attached to the building. ¡¡ Mus¨¦e Du Château Ramezay 280 rue Notre-Dame Est, Vieux-Montr¨¦al, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 514/861-3708 June-Sept. daily 10-6; Oct.-May, Tues.-Sun. 10-4:30. This colonial building, built in 1702, resembles a Norman castle with its thick stone walls, steeply pitched roof, and stone towers.. The everyday lives of the city's early European settlers are vividly depicted in a series of tableaux in the basement. ¡¡ Mus¨¦e Juste Pour Rire (Just for Laughs Museum) 2111 blvd. St-Laurent 514/845-4000 Weekends (year-round) 10-5; June-Sept. Tues.-Fri. 9-5; Sept.-June, Thurs.-Fri. 9-3. This is one of the few museums in the world dedicated to laughter. Its multimedia exhibits celebrate humor. Some visiting exhibits have a serious side, too. There is a large collection of humor videos, a cabaret where neophytes can test their material, and a restaurant where you can watch old videos (in French) while you eat ¡¡ Parc Du Mont-Royal Off voie Camillien Houde, Parc du Mont-Royal Take M¨¦tro's Orange Line to the Mont-Royal station and transfer to Bus 11 (take a transfer from a machine before you board the M¨¦tro), and get off at the Obs¨¦rvatoire de l'Est. Daily 9-5. Frederick Law Olmsted, the co-designer of New York's Central Park, designed these 494 acres of forest and paths in the heart of the city. Horse-drawn transport is popular year-round: sleigh rides in winter and cal¨¨che (horse drawn carriage)rides in summer. ¡¡ Parc Lafontaine 3933 av. Parc Lafontaine, Plateau Mont-Royal, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 514/872-9800 Daily: 9AM -10 PM. Montr¨¦al's two main cultures are reflected in the layout of this popular park: The eastern half is French, with paths, gardens, and lawns laid out in geometric shapes; the western half is English, with meandering paths and irregularly shaped ponds that follow the natural contours of the land. In summer there are bowling greens, tennis courts, an open-air theater with free arts events, and two artificial lakes with paddleboats. In winter the two lakes are used for ice skating. ¡¡ Vieux-Port-De-Montr¨¦al Rue de la Commune, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 800/971-7678 or 514/496-7678 www.oldportofmontreal.com Montr¨¦al has been a major North American port since the earliest days of European settlement. The city was built just below the Lachine Rapids, which marked the westernmost limit for oceangoing ships sailing up the St. Lawrence River. Now this waterfront park is one of the most popular recreational spots in Montr¨¦al. You can take a ferry or raft ride, or a harbor cruise, and bicycles and in-line skates are for rent along rue de la Commune. In winter, visitors can skate on a huge outdoor rink. ¡¡ Basilique Notre-Dame-De-Montr¨¦al 116 rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Vieux-Montr¨¦al 514/849-1070 basilica; 514/842-2925 museum guided tour. 8-5 daily; 20-min tours in French and English every hr July-Sept. every 2 hrs (or by prior arrangement) Oct.-June. (Notre-Dame Basilica). This neo-Gothic structure, opened in 1829, is one of the most beautiful churches in North America. The twin towers are 228 ft high, and the western one holds one of North America's largest bells. The interior is neo-Romanesque, with stained-glass windows, pine and walnut carvings, and a blue vaulted ceiling studded with thousands of 24-karat gold stars. With more than 7,000 pipes, the Cassavant pipe organ is one of the largest on the continent. Plan your visit around the daily 12:15 PM mass in the chapel or the 5 PM mass in the main church. ¡¡ Chapelle Notre-Dame-De-Lourdes 430 rue Ste-Catherine Est, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada Daily 8-5. This tiny Roman Catholic chapel is one of the most ornate pieces of religious architecture in the city. It was built in 1876 and decorated with brightly colored murals by the artist Napol¨¦on Bourassa. The chapel is a mixture of Roman and Byzantine styles, and has a beautifully restored interior. ¡¡ Église De La Visitation De La Bienheureuse Vierge Marie 1847 blvd. Gouin Est, 514/388-4050 Daily 10-11:30 and 2-4. Far to the north on the banks of Rivi¨¨re des Prairies (a 15-minute walk from the Henri Bourassa M¨¦tro station) is the oldest church on the island of Montr¨¦al, the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Its stone walls were raised in the 1750s, and the beautifully proportioned Palladian front was added in 1850. The altar and the pulpit are ornate. In the church can be seen a rendering of the Visitation, is by Pierre Mignard, a 17th-century painter. Parkland surrounds the church. ¡¡ Oratoire St-Joseph 3800 chemin Queen Mary, Côte-des-Neiges 514/733-8211 Admission free. Mid-Sept.-mid-May, daily 7-5:30; mid-May-mid-Sept. daily 7 AM-9 PM. St. Joseph's Oratory, a huge domed church sits high on a ridge of Mont-Royal, and is dedicated to St. Joseph, Canada's patron saint. The octagonal copper dome is one of the biggest in the world and the church has a magnificent mountainside setting with sweeping views. From early December through February, the oratory has a display of cr¨¨ches (nativity scenes) from all over the world. Concerts are held during the summer. To visit the church, climb the more than 300 steps to the front door or take the shuttle bus from the front gate. ¡¡ St. Patrick's Basilica 460 blvd. Ren¨¦-L¨¦vesque Ouest 514/866-7379 Daily 8:30-6. An outstanding example of church architecture rarely visited by tourists, this 1847 church is an example of the Gothic Revival style in Canada. The church's colors are soft, and the vaulted ceiling glows with green and gold mosaics. The old pulpit has panels depicting the apostles, and a huge lamp decorated with six 6-ft angels hangs over the main altar. The tall, slender columns that support the roof are actually pine logs lashed together and decorated to look like marble. The church is three blocks west of Place Ville-Marie ¡¡
Parc Olympique Avenue 4141 Pierre-de-Coubertin 514/252-8687 reach the park via the Pie-IX or Viau M¨¦tro station (the latter is nearer the stadium entrance). A free shuttle links the Biodôme, Parc Olympique, nearby Jardin Botanique, and the Viau M¨¦tro station. The Olympic Park, in the city's east end, was built for the 1976 Olympics. Dominating the eastern skyline are the giant Stade Olympique, home to the National League Expos, and the Tour Olympique, the leaning tower with an observatory that supports the stadium's roof. The Biodôme, formerly the Olympic bicycle-racing stadium, is a natural-history exhibit with four ecosystems. ¡¡ Chalet Du Mont-Royal Off voie Camillien Houde, Parc du Mont-Royal M¨¦tro's Orange Line to the Mont-Royal station and transfer to Bus 11 (take a transfer, or correspondence, from a machine before you board the M¨¦tro), get off at the Obs¨¦rvatoire de l'Est, climb the staircase at the end of the parking lot and follow the trails to the chalet. Daily 9-5. After enjoying the spectacular view of the surrounding mountains, be sure to look inside the chalet, especially at the murals depicting scenes from Canadian history. Vieux-Port-De-Montr¨¦al Rue de la Commune, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 800/971-7678 or 514/496-7678 Montr¨¦al has been a major North American port since the earliest days of European settlement. The city was built just below the Lachine Rapids, which marked the westernmost limit for oceangoing ships sailing up the St. Lawrence River. Now this waterfront park is one of the most popular recreational spots in Montr¨¦al. You can take a ferry or raft ride, or a harbor cruise, and bicycles and in-line skates are for rent along rue de la Commune. In winter, visitors can skate on a huge outdoor rink. ¡¡ La Ronde Amusement Park Last week in May, Sat., Sun. only; June-Aug and Labour Day weekend daily 10am-9pm Parc des Iles, Ile Ste-H¨¦l¨¨ne Transportation: M¨¦tro: Papineau and bus no. 169, or Parc Jean-Drapeau and bus no. 167 Telephone:800/797-4537, 514/872-4537 Unlimited all-day passes and special rates for those 12 and over, under 12, and seniors. Grounds admission only. Seniors are free Mon-Thurs, but pay adult rates on weekends Montr¨¦al's amusement park was run for most of its 35 years by the city. A few years ago it was sold to the American-owned Six Flags theme park empire, which has recently invested over $7 million in a major renovation program..
Seven new rides recently debuted: 1. The Manitou (Hanging from a giant 24 passenger six-sided circular gondola, riders experience rapid fire spinning while swinging back and forth); 2. The Vertigo, (swoops guests to heights of 60 feet in a continuous looping motion.). 3. The Flying Carousel Swing, Tour de Ville. (Up to 48 riders at a time will enjoy the wonder and fantasy of this classic family attraction.) 4. Tasses Magiques (Magical Tea Cups)(consists of 12 giant rotating cups. Each cup will accommodate up to five riders. The double motion of the platform is combined with rider-controlled spinning of the tea cups) 5. The Toboggan Nordique roller coaster joins the more daring roller coaster rides in the park(individual four passenger cars will go through a course full of hairpin turns and moderate drops. Perfect for the not-so-daring thrill seeker). 6. Autos Tamponneuses (bumper cars) ride. (features the latest innovations in bumper car design. 7. The Grand Carousel, (beautifully designed: traditional and romantic)
The park fills the northern area of the Ile Ste-H¨¦l¨¨ne with a sailing lagoon, an Enchanted Forest with costumed storytellers, and a Western town with saloon, as well as ferris wheels, carousels, roller coasters, carnival booths, and places to eat and drink. Events ¡¡ February La F¨ºte des Neiges (Snow Festival), Montr¨¦al: features outdoor events such as harness racing, barrel jumping, racing beds on ice, canoe races, snowshoeing, snow sculptures, skating, and cross-country skiing. The event, the first 2 weeks of February, takes place mostly on Ile Notre-Dame, in the Port and Vieux-Montr¨¦al, and in Parc Maisonneuve. 514/872-4537 for details. ¡¡ Three weekends in February. Festival Montr¨¦al en Lumi¨¨re Filling a hole in the yearly schedule, the self-dubbed City of Festivals has created this "High Lights" celebration. It brings together a somewhat disparate collection of creative and performing events, from culinary competitions and special museum exhibitions to multimedia light shows and classical and pop concerts by international musical greats. Call tel. 888/515-0515 for information. ¡¡ May/June Late May to early June. Festival de Th¨¦âtre des Am¨¦riques, Montr¨¦al: Two weeks of contemporary theater works from artists throughout the Americas, many on the cutting edge of creativity. Screenings are held at theaters throughout the city. 514/842-0704 for details. ¡¡ First Sunday in June. Montr¨¦al Bike Fest: Early in June, more than 45,000 cyclists arrive in Montr¨¦al to participate in a variety of cycling competitions, including a nocturnal bike ride, a 16-mile outing for up to 10,000 children, and the grueling Tour de l'Ile, a day-long 66-kilometer race around the rim of the island before more than 120,000 spectators. The Tour de l'Ile, which began in 1984, attracts 30,000 participants, almost as many of them women as men. Call tel. 514/521-8356 for details. ¡¡ Second weekend in June. Grand Prix Air Canada, Montr¨¦al: international drivers compete for 70 laps around the Gilles-Villeneuve racetrack on Ile Notre-Dame. It's the only Formula I race in the country and is complete with celebrities and models visiting the pits. 514/457-5754 for details. ¡¡ 10 days starting in mid-June. Montr¨¦al Fringe Festival: In performance spaces clustered along or near bd. St-Laurent, about 60 theater groups perform 514/849-3378 ¡¡ June Festival Mondial de la Bi¨¨re, Montr¨¦al: This is a 10-day festival celebrating beer. From world brands to boutique microbreweries, over 250 companies showcase their wares at the Old Port, employing workshops, cooking demos, musical performances, and pub food and tastings. 514/722-9640. ¡¡ Late June to early October. Mosaïcultures Internationales Montr¨¦al: A major horticultural event in which gardeners and floral designers create three-dimensional sculptures and carpets from up to 50 countries and cities in prize competitions in several categories. The Vieux-Port (Old Port) is the venue. 514/868-4000 ¡¡ June 24. Jean-Baptiste Day: Honoring Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of French Canadians, this f¨ºte nationale is marked by many festivities and much enthusiasm throughout Qu¨¦bec province. The parade is held along the streets of Vieux-Montr¨¦al the night before, June 23. 418/849-2560 for details. ¡¡ June- July. International Competition d'Art Pyrotechnique (International Fireworks Competition), Montr¨¦al: The open-air theater in La Ronde amusement park on Ile Ste-H¨¦l¨¨ne is the best place to view the fireworks extravaganzas, although they can be enjoyed from almost any point overlooking the river. Tickets to the show also provide entrance to the amusement park. The 90-minute shows are staged by companies from several countries. Because parking is limited, it's best to use the M¨¦tro. 514/872-4537 for details. ¡¡ June-July Festival International de Jazz de Montr¨¦al 514/871-1881; 888/515-0515; to charge tickets by phone: 514/790-1245; 800/678-5440; 800/361-4595 in Canada The Festival International de Jazz de Montr¨¦al, the world's biggest jazz festival, runs for 11 days, from the end of June to the beginning of July. ¡¡ July 10 days in mid-July. Festival d'Et¨¦ International (International Summer Festival), Qu¨¦bec City: The largest cultural event in the French-speaking world, this festival has attracted artists from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America since it began in 1967. There are more than 250 events showcasing theater, music, and dance, with 600 performers from 20 countries. One million people come to watch and listen. Jazz and folk combos perform free in an open-air theater next to City Hall; visiting dance and folklore troupes put on shows; and concerts, theatrical productions, and related events fill the days and evenings. 418/532-4540. ¡¡ 10 days in mid-July. Festival International Nuits d'Afrique, Montr¨¦al: This musical event showcases nearly 300 musicians from the Caribbean, the Americas, and Africa. Performances take place in Club Soda, Club Balattou, and Place Berri. 514/499-9239 ¡¡ Last 2 weeks of July. Festival Juste pour Rire (Just for Laughs Festival), Montr¨¦al: Comics perform in many venues, some free, some for a fee. Both Francophone and Anglophone comics from many countries participate. It's held along rue St-Denis and elsewhere in the Latin Quarter. 514/790-4242 for details. ¡¡ August Late August to early September. Festival des Films du Monde (World Film Festival), Montr¨¦al: An international film event since 1976. Some 500 screenings take place over 12 days, including 200 feature films from more than 50 countries.Various movie theaters host the event. 514/848-3883 ¡¡ September Mid- to late September. Fall Foliage: The maple trees blaze with color and a walk in the parks and squares of Montr¨¦al is a popular pastime. ¡¡ October Early October. Festival International de la Nouvelle Danse, Montr¨¦al: This 12-day showcase, held every 2 years (on odd years), invites troupes and choreographers from Canada, the United States, and Europe to various performance spaces. 514/287-1423. ¡¡ 10 days in mid-October. Festival du Nouveau Cin¨¦ma, Montr¨¦al: Screenings of new and experimental films along with forums on the latest trends in film and video at halls and cinemas throughout the city. 514/843-4725 for details. ¡¡ Arts and Entertainment ¡¡ Casino De Montr¨¦al 1 av. du Casino, Île Notre-Dame, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 514/392-2746 or 800/665-2274 The Casino de Montr¨¦al, on Ile Notre-Dame in the St. Lawrence River, is one of the world's 10 biggest. Take a cab ride from downtown or take the M¨¦tro to the Ile Ste-H¨¦l¨¨ne station and transfer to Bus 167 Daily: 9-5. ¡¡ Cirque Du Soleil Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 800/361-4595 The Cirque du Soleil is one of Montr¨¦al's most popular venues. The company revolutionized the art of the circus when, in 1984, it began commingling dance, acrobatics, and dramatic presentation in a single show. Now it's an internationally known and packs theaters worldwide. (There are no animals featured in this circus. All of the spectacular dance and acrobatic arrangements are performed by people. ) Every second summer (in odd-numbered years), the circus performs in Montr¨¦al. ¡¡ L'op¨¦ra De Montr¨¦al 260 blvd. de Maisonneuve Ouest 514/985-2258 L'Op¨¦ra de Montr¨¦al stages four productions a year at Place des Arts. ¡¡ Centaur Theatre 453 rue St-François-Xavier, Vieux-Montr¨¦al 514/288-3161 The Centaur Theatre, the best-known English theatrical company, stages everything from musical revues to Eug¨¨ne Ionesco works in the former stock-exchange building in Vieux-Montr¨¦al. ¡¡ Place des Artes Touring Broadway productions are staged at the Place des Arts. ¡¡ SaidyeBronfman Centre 5170 chemin de la Côte Ste-Catherine, Côte-des-Neiges, 514/739-2301 or 514/739-7944 English-language plays can be seen at the Saidye Bronfman Centre. The center is home to the Yiddish Theatre Group. ¡¡ Th¨¦âtre De Quat'sous 100 av. des Pins Est 514/845-7277 Th¨¦âtre de Quat'Sous performs experimental plays. ¡¡ Th¨¦âtre Denise Pelletier 4353 rue Ste-Catherine Est, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve 514/253-8974 The Th¨¦âtre Denise Pelletier stages productions in a beautifully restored hall. ¡¡ Th¨¦âtre Du Nouveau Monde 84 rue Ste-Catherine Ouest, Downtown 514/866-8667 Th¨¦âtre du Nouveau Monde is the North American temple of French classics. ¡¡ Th¨¦âtre Du Rideau Vert Th¨¦âtre du Rideau Vert specializes in modern French repertoire. ¡¡ Th¨¦âtre Jean Duceppe 260 blvd. de Maisonneuve Ouest 514/842-2112 Named for one of Qu¨¦bec's best loved actors, the Th¨¦âtre Jean Duceppe stages major productions in Place des Arts. ¡¡ Th¨¦âtre St-Denis 1594 rue St-Denis, Quartier Latin 514/849-4211 The 2,500-seat Th¨¦âtre St-Denis stages pop-music concerts. ¡¡ Francofolies 514/876-8989 The annual FrancoFolies festival celebrates the art of French songwriting. In all, more than 1,000 musicians perform in dozens of different styles, including rock, hip-hop, funk, and Latin. ¡¡ I Musici De Montr¨¦al 934 rue Sainte-Catherine Est, 514/982-6037 I Musici de Montr¨¦al is one of the best chamber orchestras in Canada. ¡¡ Orchestre M¨¦tropolitain De Montr¨¦al 514/598-0870 The Orchestre M¨¦tropolitain de Montr¨¦al stars at Place des Arts most weeks during the October-April season. ¡¡ Orchestre Symphonique De Montr¨¦al 260 blvd. de Maisonneuve Ouest 514/842-9951 The Orchestre Symphonique de Montr¨¦al has gained recognition under the baton of Charles Dutoit. Its regular venue is the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at the Place des Arts. ¡¡ Pollack Concert Hall 514/398-4535 McGill University's Pollack Concert Hall presents concerts, notably by the McGill Chamber Orchestra. ¡¡ Spectrum 318 rue Ste-Catherine Ouest, Downtown, Montr¨¦al, Qu¨¦bec, Canada 514/861-5851 The most popular performance venue for rock bands is Spectrum. ¡¡ Stade Olympique Olympic Park, 4141 av. Pierre-de-Coubertin, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve 514/252-8687 Stade Olympique hosts rock and pop concerts. ¡¡ Th¨¦âtre St-Denis 1594 rue St-Denis, Quartier Latin 514/849-4211 The 2,500-seat Th¨¦âtre St-Denis stages pop-music concerts. ¡¡ Sports ¡¡ Montr¨¦al Alouettes McGill University's Molson Stadium 514/790-1245 Canadian professional football returned to Montr¨¦al after an experimental 3-year league with U.S. teams. The team that was briefly the Baltimore Colts is now The Montreal Alouettes (Larks) and has enjoyed considerable success since its return, frequently appearing in the Grey Cup, the CFL's Super Bowl. They play on a schedule that runs from June into October. ¡¡ NHL Montr¨¦al Canadiens 1260 rue de la Gaucheti¨¨re Ticket and schedule information 514/932-2582 M¨¦tro: Bonaventure. The Canadiens play at the new Centre Molson, which opened in 1996. replacing the beloved old Forum. The team has won 24 Stanley Cup championships since 1929. The season runs from October into April, with playoffs continuing to mid-June. ¡¡ Blue Bonnets Racetrack (Hippodrome de Montr¨¦al) 7440 bd. D¨¦carie, in Jean-Talon 514/739-2741 M¨¦tro: Namur, and then take the shuttle bus. This is the host facility for international harness-racing events, including the Coupe des Elevers (Breeders Cup). Restaurants, bars, a snack bar, and pari-mutuel betting can make for a satisfying evening or Sunday-afternoon outing. There are no races on Tuesday and Thursday. General admission is free. Races begin at 7:30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; on Sunday at 1:30pm. ¡¡ |
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