Montreal, largest city in the province of Quebec and Canada's Cultural Capital
Montreal city looks like a typical big American city with skyscrapers, large avenues cut on a right angle. Montrel was the first North city designated ‘UNESCO City of Design’ in 2006. Places such as the Quartier international, a showcase of modern design, art and architecture at the heart of downtown, testify to Montréal’s avant-garde character. Montréal is the most bilingual metropolis in North America and the second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris. Located on an island 499 km2 in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, it was colonized by the French and later the British. Today the population of Greater Montréal is approximately 3.6 million, with 53% of its inhabitants bilingual (French and English).
Why go?
Montreal has an international reputation for excellent dining, it is also known for its vibrant nightlife, festivals, sunny terraces, cultural diversity and that special ‘joie de vivre’ (joy of life), that Montrealer's are famous for.
When to go?
People from Quebec love festivals, so you’ll be delighted to discover Montreal events for all tastes all year round, with a peak during summer time. No need to bring your moonboots from May to September. May and September are warn during the day and cold during the nights. June is hot and July and August are very hot. In the winter, Montreal winter can be very cold with temperatures dropping up to minus 40° celsius. One of the best season to discover Montreal and Quebec is the end of summer, for the Indian Summer. Cheapest flights can be found in May-June or at the end of summer.
How to get there?
Montreal is served by Montreal Airport Pierre Elliott Trudeau, located in the city of Dorval, which is 22 km south-west of downtown Montreal. There are regular direct flights from Heathrow and Gatwick and also Montreal flights from main UK airports with one stop.
Must see
Montreal has many attractions to make your stay unforgettable. Go for a drink in the historical neighbourhood of the Old Montreal, walk around the animated Quartier Latin near the Berri-Uqam university. One of our favourite area in Montreal is the plateau Mont-Royal, one of the most creative area of the city with nice houses, original design shops and plenty of bars and cafés. The mont Royal (not to same as plateau Mont-Royal) is a 233 metres hill with a huge parc of 200 hectares where friends and families meet on sunny weekends and where you can admire great views on the city. Montreal’s underground city is the set of more than 12 km2 interconnected complexes in and around Downtown Montreal. Connected areas include shopping malls, apartment buildings, hotels, condominiums, banks, offices...