Montreal
Located as it is on the St. Lawrence, Montréal has prospered as a cosmopolitan hub of communications and trade. Jacques Cartier landed here in 1535 and took the territory for his King, François I of France. But it wasn't until 1642 that Paul de Chomedey, the god-fearing Sieur de Maisonneuve, founded a small mission station here. Called Ville Marie de Mont-Réal this was the original settlement that today is Montréal. It has grown to be the second largest French-speaking city in the world. Part of the Hochelaga archipelago, the city itself is an island with Mount Royal (233 meters) in the city center. Montréal's climate swings between the extremes of high humid heat in summer and heavy snowfalls in winter. source: www.planetware.com
Old Montreal
Said to be North America's most remarkable concentration of 17th, 18th, and 19th-century buildings, Old Montréal is the delightful Parisian-style quarter between the harbor and the banking district. Lovingly restored in recent decades, and very popular with tourists, Old Montréal is best explored on foot, starting from the Champ de Mars Metro Station. City Hall and Place Jacques-Cartier are just south of the station, with Rue St. Paul and Rue Notre-Dame leading to more historic sites, high-end restaurants, and luxury shops. source: www.planetware.com
Old Port
Extending along the river, close to Marché Bonsecours, is the site of the old port. It was restored at great cost and now enjoys a role as an entertainment and leisure center. Special attractions include an IMAX cinema, a Clock Tower reminiscent of Big Ben, and the Montréal Science Centre. In winter, skaters take to an open-air rink. From the old port a magnificent view is obtained of the impressive Montréal skyline. Boat tours run from the quays. Address: 333 Rue de la Commune Ouest, Montréal source: www.planetware.com
Notre-Dame Basilica
On Place d'Armes, the neo-Gothic façade of the Basilica of Our Lady is Montréal's oldest Catholic parish church (founded 1656). Its twin towers (69 meters) are impressive, but the amazing interior of the 1829 building is even more awe-worthy. Resplendent woodcarving is the work of Victor Bourgeau, and stained glass illustrates the history of Montréal. The Sacré Coeur altar (1982), in the chapel of the same name, consists of 32 bronze panels by Charles Daudelin. The great organ is a Casavant, and recitals held in the church throughout the year are very popular. Address: 110 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal source: www.planetware.com
Place d'Armes
The busy square of Place d'Armes is very much in the city center. The twin towers of Notre-Dame Basilica front the public space, as does a historic Bank of Montreal and its small museum. The Old Seminary of Saint Sulpice, adjoining the Basilica, dates from 1685. It is the oldest stone dwelling in a city where originally most buildings were constructed more cheaply and simply in timber. Just west of Place d'Armes, the Palais des Congrès is Montréal's futuristic conference center. It was built in 1983 over the Ville-Marie expressway, and is best known for its colorful glass walls. source: www.planetware.com
Place d'Youville
is another popular public space in Montréal and a departure point for exploring historical sites. On the park, the Montréal Centre d'Histoire is housed in the old red brick fire station (1903), and recounts Montréal's four centuries of history. Hopital général des Soeurs Grises is a short distance down Rue Saint-Pierre from Place d'Youville. Montréal's second hospital dating from 1694, it is where Marguerite d'Youville founded the Congrégation des Soeurs Grises in 1753, the charitable order of the Grey Sisters. source: www.planetware.com
Rue Saint-Paul
is Montréal's oldest street, originally completed in March 1672 as the road between the fort and the Hôtel Dieu, the old hospital. Nowadays it is lined with all kinds of shops. The street gets its name as much from Paul de Chomedey, the city's devout founder, as from St. Paul the Apostle. source: www.planetware.com
City Hall
was designed by Perrault with an eye to the French Empire style of Napoleon III. Built between 1872 and 1878, it had to be restored following a fire in 1922. Its hall of honor is resplendent with marble and bronze, and has a bust of Jacques Viger, Montréal's first mayor in 1833. It was from the balcony of City Hall that, during his visit to Canada in the summer of 1967, French President Charles de Gaulle uttered his clarion call "vive le Québec libre!" - long live free Québec. The statement drew an enthusiastic response from the crowds on Place Cartier below, but upset Canada's Federal Government. 275 Rue Notre-Dame Est, Montréal source: www.planetware.com
Located as it is on the St. Lawrence, Montréal has prospered as a cosmopolitan hub of communications and trade. Jacques Cartier landed here in 1535 and took the territory for his King, François I of France. But it wasn't until 1642 that Paul de Chomedey, the god-fearing Sieur de Maisonneuve, founded a small mission station here. Called Ville Marie de Mont-Réal this was the original settlement that today is Montréal. It has grown to be the second largest French-speaking city in the world. Part of the Hochelaga archipelago, the city itself is an island with Mount Royal (233 meters) in the city center. Montréal's climate swings between the extremes of high humid heat in summer and heavy snowfalls in winter. source: www.planetware.com
Old Montreal
Said to be North America's most remarkable concentration of 17th, 18th, and 19th-century buildings, Old Montréal is the delightful Parisian-style quarter between the harbor and the banking district. Lovingly restored in recent decades, and very popular with tourists, Old Montréal is best explored on foot, starting from the Champ de Mars Metro Station. City Hall and Place Jacques-Cartier are just south of the station, with Rue St. Paul and Rue Notre-Dame leading to more historic sites, high-end restaurants, and luxury shops. source: www.planetware.com
Old Port
Extending along the river, close to Marché Bonsecours, is the site of the old port. It was restored at great cost and now enjoys a role as an entertainment and leisure center. Special attractions include an IMAX cinema, a Clock Tower reminiscent of Big Ben, and the Montréal Science Centre. In winter, skaters take to an open-air rink. From the old port a magnificent view is obtained of the impressive Montréal skyline. Boat tours run from the quays. Address: 333 Rue de la Commune Ouest, Montréal source: www.planetware.com
Notre-Dame Basilica
On Place d'Armes, the neo-Gothic façade of the Basilica of Our Lady is Montréal's oldest Catholic parish church (founded 1656). Its twin towers (69 meters) are impressive, but the amazing interior of the 1829 building is even more awe-worthy. Resplendent woodcarving is the work of Victor Bourgeau, and stained glass illustrates the history of Montréal. The Sacré Coeur altar (1982), in the chapel of the same name, consists of 32 bronze panels by Charles Daudelin. The great organ is a Casavant, and recitals held in the church throughout the year are very popular. Address: 110 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal source: www.planetware.com
Place d'Armes
The busy square of Place d'Armes is very much in the city center. The twin towers of Notre-Dame Basilica front the public space, as does a historic Bank of Montreal and its small museum. The Old Seminary of Saint Sulpice, adjoining the Basilica, dates from 1685. It is the oldest stone dwelling in a city where originally most buildings were constructed more cheaply and simply in timber. Just west of Place d'Armes, the Palais des Congrès is Montréal's futuristic conference center. It was built in 1983 over the Ville-Marie expressway, and is best known for its colorful glass walls. source: www.planetware.com
Place d'Youville
is another popular public space in Montréal and a departure point for exploring historical sites. On the park, the Montréal Centre d'Histoire is housed in the old red brick fire station (1903), and recounts Montréal's four centuries of history. Hopital général des Soeurs Grises is a short distance down Rue Saint-Pierre from Place d'Youville. Montréal's second hospital dating from 1694, it is where Marguerite d'Youville founded the Congrégation des Soeurs Grises in 1753, the charitable order of the Grey Sisters. source: www.planetware.com
Rue Saint-Paul
is Montréal's oldest street, originally completed in March 1672 as the road between the fort and the Hôtel Dieu, the old hospital. Nowadays it is lined with all kinds of shops. The street gets its name as much from Paul de Chomedey, the city's devout founder, as from St. Paul the Apostle. source: www.planetware.com
City Hall
was designed by Perrault with an eye to the French Empire style of Napoleon III. Built between 1872 and 1878, it had to be restored following a fire in 1922. Its hall of honor is resplendent with marble and bronze, and has a bust of Jacques Viger, Montréal's first mayor in 1833. It was from the balcony of City Hall that, during his visit to Canada in the summer of 1967, French President Charles de Gaulle uttered his clarion call "vive le Québec libre!" - long live free Québec. The statement drew an enthusiastic response from the crowds on Place Cartier below, but upset Canada's Federal Government. 275 Rue Notre-Dame Est, Montréal source: www.planetware.com