House of travel Canada & Alaska Brochure 2017 | Page 23

Montréal
A perfect day in Montréal
O ld Montréal is European in character and the primary language spoken
here is French. Cobblestone streets, a café culture and historic 17 th and
18 th century architecture all contribute to the quaint charm that is unique
amongst cities in North America. So put on your walking shoes and head
out to discover this beautiful city.
Start your day with a visit to the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal. This
church was built between 1824 and 1829 and holds 350 years of parish
history. In the evening a sound and light show presents the founding of
Montréal and the Notre-Dame Basilica.
Head down to the Old Port of Montréal and take in the view from the top of
the Clock Tower. Built in 1922 to commemorate the courage of the men of
the Merchant Fleet who were lost during World War I.
For lunch try the floating restaurant of the Bota Bota where you get not only
spectacular river views, but a restaurant showcasing local produce. After
something a little less fancy? Pick up a lunch box from Europea Espace
Boutique where you can grab a gourmet sandwich and delicious pastry to
eat while you explore Montréal.
With a host of outdoor activities such as cycling, bird watching, and in
winter – tobogganing, the urban, green space of Mount Royal makes a
change from the historic buildings of Old Montréal. This is where you’ll
find the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the striking St. Joseph’s Oratory.
It’s also the perfect place to get your bearings while overlooking the St.
Lawrence River. If you don’t feel like exploring on your own join one of the
many walking or cycling tours to discover this intriguing city.
Our favourite places to stay:
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Hotel Espresso
Delta Montreal
Hotel le Germain Montreal
Our favourite things to see and do
Canadian Maple Delights – The museum at Canadian Maple Delights
showcases the history of maple products, some of which date from the
1600s.
Centre d’histoire de Montréal – With three floors of exhibitions, you’ll live
or re-live the rich and eventful history of Montréal.
Mount Royal Chalet – The walls are decorated with pictures tracing the
history of Montréal. It also has a stunning scenic lookout which offers a
striking view of the downtown area and the St. Lawrence River.
Christ Church Cathedral – Built between 1857 and 1859, it now stands over
an underground shopping centre.
Underground City – This is one of the largest underground complexes in
the world. It has buildings above and below ground and is a massive web of
tunnels that connects a major area of downtown Montréal to office buildings,
hotels, museums, shopping malls, metro stations and more. It’s a great way
to shield yourself from the heat in summer and snow in winter.
St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal – While in Montréal you’re bound to
notice a big, rounded, green roof standing tall on the horizon. It belongs to
St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, the largest church in Canada. At
97 metres, the dome of the Oratory Basilica is the second highest in the
world, behind Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Climb the steps and enjoy
amazing views of the city.
The Montréal Holocaust Memorial Museum – This museum tells the
story of the Holocaust from the perspective of Montréal survivors. Learn
the history of the Holocaust and gain an understanding of events in Québec,
Canada and the world at that time. Montréal is home to the third largest
Holocaust survivor population in the world.
Montréal Tower/Olympic Park – Built for the 1976 Summer Olympic
Games, the Olympic Stadium is the Park’s centrepiece.
Museum of Fine Arts – A must for art lovers, this museum has amassed
several millennia worth of paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings and
photographs from Rembrandt and Picasso to Monet. The museum also
houses an impressive collection of Canadian art, Inuit and Aboriginal
artefacts.
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