Traveling to Montreal

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Other than the gorgeous churches and wonderful markets, what do you suggest seeing in Montreal?
 
KCT said:
Other than the gorgeous churches and wonderful markets, what do you suggest seeing in Montreal?
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I think you will really like Montreal. I’ve only been there once, but it’s a really cool city. It’s hard to describe. It’s kind of French, but there’re also other undertones; it almost feels bohemian, but it’s also modern. It’s cool to just walk around there. When I was there, there was a festival in town; I think there’s always a festival going on. It was a public show put on by Cirque du Soleil, and there were other things, too. I also went to the waterfront, which was beautiful. The view on top of the tower there was breathtaking; you can see all of Montreal from up there. The food was also good. Try the smoke meat and poutine - definitely try the poutine. And like you said, the churches and cathedral there are definitely worth a visit. It’s best to have someone who’s local to guide you through it, which I luckily did, but it’s always fun to explore the city. I really want to go back sometime.
 
I was there in February. It was soo cold! I’m glad it will be warmer for you. Are you going to Old Montreal? If so Notre Dame is a must. Definitely the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to. The Law courts are really neat. The Bank of Montreal is the clasiest looking bank I’ve ever seen. Looks a lot like a hotel. China town is interesting. There was this nice little restaurant down by the Old Port. I can’t remember the name of it off by hand but it was Italian and they had a lot of Italian dishes and pizza at very good prices.
 
I went for an afternoon in Montreal when I was visiting my aunt in Vermont. I really enjoyed myself. They have a really neat archeology museum down by the water front. I didn’t plan my trip in advance. (My aunt doesn’t have a computer) I just drove up and parked the car in a garage and got out and started walking around. I enjoyed my tour of the Cathedral and there was a smaller church a few blocks away from the market that was giving tours and it was really neat and had gorgeous views. I wish I could recall the name of it. I also did a duck boat tour which was interesting as well, but a bit overpriced. There were also a ton of places to eat that looked really nice.
 
Montreal is a wonderful city and I know it well. In terms of churches, we have a ton. The most famous churches are the Bon Secours Chapel located in the old port. (This is the church Allegra mentioned) There is a museum that is attached to it which is a must in terms of visiting. We have the Notre Dame Bascilica which is located in the Old Port as well. The two churches are located about a ten minute walk between them.

St Patrick’s bascila located on 454 René-Lévesque Boulevard West plus Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral (Mary Queen of the World Cathedral) is also located on Rene Levesque on between Mansfield and du Cathedral are wonderful places to visit.

This link will provide some extra information regarding these and a couple more well known churches.

montreal.com/churches/index.html

If you love Kateri Tekakwitha, a visit to St. Francis-Xavier Church in Kahnawake, Qc is a must. It has the The Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. I suggest that you call a few days ahead since their opening hours vary from day to day. (That said, aim to visit on a week day, since the bridge you cross to get to it, is often being repaired on the weekend.)

Here is the website for it:
kateritekakwitha.net

There are also some wonderful museums that are worth while checking out:

This link will provide you with a great list of some places. The list was created for a youth summit, but the places are still wonderful.

youthsummit.monteejeunesse.kusiak.ca/founders/

There is also The Sisters of Saint Anne Historic Centre.

ssacong.org/musee/en/index.html

One general rule when it comes to visiting Montreal, always use public transit especially if place you are aiming to visit is located near a metro station. Parking is impossible and it is best to use public transit as much as you can. Regular fare is 2 or 3 dollars.

We also have a bus called the 747 bus which costs $8 and it goes between the airport and downtown. The bus comes every 5 to 10 minutes therefore it will save you an expensive taxi ride. Plus day and weekly passes are available. It is the cheapest way to navigate Montreal.

Transit website: stm.info

During the summer months, Concordia University rents out their rooms in the Grey nun’s residence at very affordable rates. The residence is located right downtown and is about a baseball throw away from restuarents and not far from several of the churches that I mentioned.

Here is the link:

vpservices.concordia.ca/summerhousing/greynunsresidence/

In terms of language, Montreal tries to be a bilingual city even though all of the signs and the metro (subway) maps are in French. (Quebec politics you don’t want to know) Most people do speak English therefore, please feel free to ask questions if you get lost. Furthermore most of the food courts, Tim Hortons (the equivalent of Duncan Donuts,) coffee shops and Mc Donald’s all have wifi therefore if you have a tablet or another device where you require the internet, these are the places to look out for.

If by chance someone gives you a hard time because you don’t speak french, such as someone from the transit system, lodge a complaint with CJAD radio or if you are on Facebook, there is a group called: Put Canadian Flag Back In Quebec Assembly, and post it there. I want your experience in Montreal to be wonderful and those two places are good to know just in case.

If you or anyone else has any questions, please send me a line.

Montreal rocks.
 
I did notice that in lieu of a greeting, alot of the store clerks ask you what language you speak. I can speak a little French and so I was cool with the signs and pamphlets. (Even the instructions for using the parking structure which was like reading a novel! Honestly, all you need is the amount you pay and “insert card here”!)

I was totally proud when I was able to ask questions about how to get to so-and-so in French. I was a little deflated when the person I asked started to answer and I couldn’t understand a blessed word he said. Retrospectively, I think the French I learned in high school might have been more French French than the French that guy was speaking. Someday I’ll have to go to France and test my theory.
 
Allegra said:
I did notice that in lieu of a greeting, alot of the store clerks ask you what language you speak. I can speak a little French and so I was cool with the signs and pamphlets. (Even the instructions for using the parking structure which was like reading a novel! Honestly, all you need is the amount you pay and “insert card here”!)

I was totally proud when I was able to ask questions about how to get to so-and-so in French. I was a little deflated when the person I asked started to answer and I couldn’t understand a blessed word he said. Retrospectively, I think the French I learned in high school might have been more French French than the French that guy was speaking. Someday I’ll have to go to France and test my theory.
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I believe they’re required by law to use French in Quebec, although a lot of people are bilingual in Montreal. But if you go to other places in Quebec, like Quebec City, that may not be the case, and it may be hard to get by on English alone. I think they do appreciate it if you first ask if they speak English, out of respect for the French culture. I took German in high school, which did not come in handy, at all.
 
AllSeasons said:
I believe they’re required by law to use French in Quebec, although a lot of people are bilingual in Montreal. But if you go to other places in Quebec, like Quebec City, that may not be the case, and it may be hard to get by on English alone. I think they do appreciate it if you first ask if they speak English, out of respect for the French culture. I took German in high school, which did not come in handy, at all.
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They probably have to post signs and legal documents in French, but I find it really hard to believe that there is a law requiring everyone to speak French. At any rate, there were many people there who spoke English as well.
 
Allegra said:
They probably have to post signs and legal documents in French, but I find it really hard to believe that there is a law requiring everyone to speak French. At any rate, there were many people there who spoke English as well.
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Right now, the governing party is crazy therefore you would be surprised in the laws that exist here. That said, Montreal is very bilingual because it is Quebec’s main economic center. There are other places which are more French such as Quebec city, the Gaspe area. The further you move away from Montreal centre, the more french it can become with the exception of the West Island which is very English and Laval which is very French. Quebec French is very unique in terms of French in general. Learning French from France will help you but one will quickly notice there is also a big difference in terms of pronunciation and accent. It is very different.

That said, Montreal is a wonderful city which is full of history. Despite some crazy politicians (trust me they make some politicians outside this province look like saints.) I strongly recommend Quebec everyone who reads this thread.
 
AllSeasons said:
I believe they’re required by law to use French in Quebec, although a lot of people are bilingual in Montreal. But if you go to other places in Quebec, like Quebec City, that may not be the case, and it may be hard to get by on English alone. I think they do appreciate it if you first ask if they speak English, out of respect for the French culture. I took German in high school, which did not come in handy, at all.
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Actually if you want to gain someone’s respect, speak French first as in bonjour and then most will hear your accent and they will switch to English. Quebecors know when French isn’t a person’s first language. Generally it isn’t necessary to ask someone to speak to them in English. There are also a lot of English people there as well. You just have to see which language they respond in as well as their accent. In general it is the luck of the draw. Furthermore, Montreal is very multi-cultural in general. We have people from all over which makes Montreal even more awesome. You may encounter an odd jerk who may become offensive if one doesn’t speak french. (it is a stupid political thing) I wouldn’t worry too much about it. There are jerks in all cities and Montreal is no exception.

Come to Montreal. It is a pretty place.
 
SecretGarden said:
Montreal is a wonderful city and I know it well. In terms of churches, we have a ton. The most famous churches are the Bon Secours Chapel located in the old port. (This is the church Allegra mentioned) There is a museum that is attached to it which is a must in terms of visiting. We have the Notre Dame Bascilica which is located in the Old Port as well. The two churches are located about a ten minute walk between them.

St Patrick’s bascila located on 454 René-Lévesque Boulevard West plus Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral (Mary Queen of the World Cathedral) is also located on Rene Levesque on between Mansfield and du Cathedral are wonderful places to visit.
Montreal rocks.
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Thanks! The above are all on my must see list! So are the markets; my brother and I love out door markets. 👍
 
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