Montréal – city of contrasts

Montréal is the second largest French speaking city after Paris with 3.4 million inhabitants. It is a center of cultures from around the world with a mosaic of different neighborhoods and gastronomic diversity. Its architectural legacy spread out over four centuries of history – from the French Empire to the present time. Montreal is very cosmopolitan, despite its insular position. This vibrant city is characterized by its impressive atmosphere.

The Old Montreal

Even today, there are still horse carriages rolling the streets of Old Montreal (Vieux Montreal) over the cobblestones houses from the 18th and 19th century. The historical and archaeological museum Pointe-à-Callière, which is next to the museum Marguerite-Bourgeoys is the best insight into the city’s history. The Museum shows artifact collections from the original nations of the area of Montreal that illustrate how many different cultures interacted and coexisted, and how the British and French regimes inclined the history of this country through the years. There you can find 350 years old relics. Very near is located the Notre-Dame Basilica in neo-Gothic style inspired by the rich features of its interior.

View of Montréal

Mont Royal provides an incomparable view over the city of Montréal with its magnificent park. At one side of the mountain stands the imposing dome of the Saint-Joseph Oratory, which attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The Olympic Tower provides a spectacular view! The inclined tower dominates the terrain on which the Summer Olympics were held in 1976th. In addition to the Olympic Stadium, here is located also the Montreal Biodome where are represented the flora and the fauna of four different ecosystems. There you can find also the second-largest botanical garden in the world which lies with its extensive collections of plants in the enchanting Chinese and Japanese gardens and the Montréal Insectarium.

The Old Port of Montreal

In the middle of the city the St. Lawrence River is the main port by sea, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes. In the grand Old Port (Vieux Port) main attractions include Centre Des Sciences De Montréal -a large complex dedicated to science and technology. The Old Port also offers a wide range of boat trips. The two river island, located on Parc Jean-Drapeau is visited all year by families who use the various outdoor offers, or enjoy themselves in the popular La Ronde amusement park. In the Parc Jean-Drapeau you can find also the elegant Casino de Montréal.

What more can you experience?

Montreal’s exciting cultural scene is characterized by energetic creativity. There are many theaters and cinemas that show programs for every taste. You can also visit and experience the bustling life in the trendy bars, cafes and nightclubs. Even the diehard night owls can get out of breath. In addition, you can go to the shopper’s paradise – the fashion city of Montreal.
The art-loving city can offer around 30 museums. Among them are the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts), the oldest museum in Canada, the Canadian Center for Architecture (Center Canadien d’architecture), known for its unique collections and fantastic exhibits, and the Museum of Contemporary Art (Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal). The latter, by the way is the first of its kind in Canada. It was integrated into the building complex Art space (Place des Arts) where the big stars are performing on the stage of the arts for over forty years with honor. This is also the home of the Symphony Orchestra (l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal), the Opera (L’Opéra de Montréal), and the Ballet (Les Grands Ballets).