Introduction to Montréal

The beautiful offspring of a union between European charm and North American attitude, Montréal's architecture seduces the visitor with a harmonious chorus of the ancient and the new.

Once home to the First Nations people, this island gem on the magnificent St. Lawrence River in time saw travelers from far and wide land on its shores before becoming a bustling port city. The French colonists were the first to arrive, followed by the English, the Scottish and the Irish. Later, myriad peoples from around the world settled the lush swaths stretching up to Mount Royal.

Today, 80 distinct ethnic communities are represented in its population of more than 3.6 million, making Montréal a veritable mosaïque of cultures and traditions. The world's second largest francophone city after Paris, it merits the moniker 'international' city, a cosmopolitan center with proud roots in the past that enthusiastically embraces the future. A world leader in such industries as aeronautics, information technology and biotechnology, the city has also made significant innovations in medicine, multimedia, the arts and urban planning. Its avant-garde spirit has not gone unnoticed: in 2006, Montréal was named a UNESCO City of Design.

Day and night, Montréal pulses with activity. Each season, it is host to an array of events, exhibitions and gatherings for the thousands of culture, nature and thrill seekers who come here to enjoy its diverse offerings. While Montréal's masterful chefs continue to elevate its reputation as a gourmet destination, creative artists and artisans draw admirers in droves to the haute couture ateliers, arts galleries and charming boutiques that line the city streets.

Getting around the city on a day-to-day basis is hassle-free. Its streets, vast parks, underground pedestrian network, and métro system are safe and easy to navigate. The best way to get to know the city is on foot, through any one of its many colourful and vibrant neighbourhoods which overflow with markets, boutiques, restaurants and local cafés-diverse expressions of the inhabitants' joie de vivre. Montrealers are naturally charming and quite often multilingual. Their spontaneity and ability to welcome visitors have propelled Montréal to its current position of international host city, where some of the world's most exciting events are held annually. When one considers the urban landscape and its inhabitants, this resulting passion seems only natural.

Downtown Montréal

Montréal's downtown scene is a bustling study in contrasts. Witness the Victorian brownstones that nuzzle skyscrapers, while the latest architectural marvels soar beside stately neo-gothic churches. The stores, museums, galleries, restaurant and green spaces present a moving canvas peopled with the 9-5 crowd, students, locals and tourists. When night falls, the hectic pace surrenders to a more relaxed ambiance, as friends congregate for after-work cocktails on terraces, in bars, or at the city's many festivals that fill the air with their resounding notes.

Old Montréal

There is no place more conductive to a dreamy step back in time than the romantic district of Old Montréal. Its cobblestone streets have witnessed the passage of time for more than 360 years. Today, art galleries, artisans' boutiques, terraces and cafés conduct business within the walls of these gracious 18th and 19th-century buildings. Dusk brings further enhancement, as strategic lighting brings out the loveliness of these old stone facades even further. Nearby, in the Old Port, cyclists, joggers and in-line skate enthusiasts of all ages enjoy the generous recreational paths year-round.