Prior to visiting Montreal, I had only heard wonderful things. All of my friends loved Old Montreal, its charming cobblestone streets, period architecture and trendy boutiques. Its nightlife and multitude of festivals beginning with spring, up to late fall, seemed to be the main attraction. So needless to say, I was burning with curiosity to see this North American city, with a French flair.
Arriving in Montreal beginning of October, it was clear I hadn’t packed appropriately. It was already cold, for my standards. So before anything else, I had to do some shopping: boots, a scarf and gloves! Being Romanian, I was certainly well trained to cold weather, but even so, I never had to wear gloves in October (I bought a cut out pair). After a much needed shopping session, I started exploring the city.
With buildings dating back to the 1600s, Old Montreal is certainly a must see. I began with the Old Port of Montreal, a delightful attraction, if you go past its astonishing number of homeless people. Its generous waterfront and horse-drawn carriages reminded me of New York, and why not even Shanghai’s Bund.
Following the Port, I took on the old cobblestone streets, leisurely strolling and glancing at store windows. With its sidewalk cafés, colorful street artists (Rue des Artistes for instance) and entertainers, Place Jacques-Cartier is a popular gathering point for locals and tourists alike.
I learnt a few things along the way; apparently Quebec’s motto, as seen on this license plate below, is “Je me souviens” which translates to “I remember.”
Beautiful houses are scaterred throughout the city, as well as these stags, placed as decor in multiple colors. I thought they were hilarious!
Need I say more about the traditional Canadian maple leaf? It’s everywhere:
Along the Place Jacques-Cartier, St. Paul Street is filled with restaurants, art galleries, and souvenir shops. I stopped at Jardin Nelson, which had an enchanting courtyard terrace inside. Located behind the Nelson Hotel (which dates back to 1812), the multi-level outdoor patio was draped in greenery and big linen umbrellas. I was lucky to be there just as their live jazz band played, under the soothing rays of sunshine. At Jardin Nelson is where I had the tastiest cup of tea up to date; I beat myself up for throwing away the packaging I kept for over a year; it was so good! I can’t remember a more relaxed afternoon spent in a restaurant. It truly was a haven for relaxation!
When it comes to accommodations, I suggest choosing one of the Victorian style hotels, located in the center. I stayed at 7 Saisons, which apart from its excellent location (right in the heart of Montreal, across the street from the Central Bus station), I didn’t particularly enjoy. Since I am not one of those people that can sleep anywhere just for the sake of budget travel, its drab rooms and squeaky beds made my experience quite creepy.
The next day, I explored Montreal’s largest park: Mount Royal. Stay tuned!
