Montreal Presents French Traditions and Modern Attractions Worth Exploring
Montreal served as the maritime and economic gateway to North America and as Canada's manufacturing center for generations. After the energy boom and the emergence of Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver as business centers, the city reinvented itself into a modern metropolis of four million people. Montreal's role as one of Canada's leading cities coupled with its dedication to the preservation of Canada's French heritage and culture make it a fascinating destination for visitors.
SHORT HISTORY OF MONTREAL
French explorers arrived on the St Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers starting in 1603 and had limited interaction with the Iroquois or other native peoples of the area. Samuel de Champlain decided to establish settlements for fur trading and missionary work near Quebec in 1608 and at Montreal in 1611, and declared the area to be the territory of New France. Competition and conflict with British mercantile interests and American colonists frequently arose during the 18th century. Even though Montreal prospered, the French lost key battles to the British, so the city and the entire territory of New France fell under British control by treaty in 1763.
The next two hundred years saw the city of Montreal amalgamated into the Province of Quebec, the Dominion of Canada, and finally the independent nation of Canada in 1931. The new nation expanded to include a sizable portion of North America and stretches from Newfoundland in the east to British Columbia and the Yukon in the west. Canada's growth did not eliminate the conflicting traditions of its population. A substantial minority of the people in the province of Quebec voted for independent sovereignty in 1980 and 1995. Meanwhile, efforts by metropolitan Montreal to merge nearby English-speaking communities into the city were reversed by suburban voters who preferred to retain their independent status. So, the political future for Montreal and the province of Quebec remains clouded.
THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY
There are an abundance of sites and experiences to enjoy in Montreal such as:
Exploring Montreal's Waterfront
The port area of the city known as Vieux Montreal thrived for centuries as an international gateway for shipping to the region and the Great Lakes. The decline in Canadian manufacturing during the 20th century led to a deterioration of business activity along the water. Fortunately, dozens of the old stone and brick warehouses there were preserved and became the foundation for the development of a vibrant entertainment, recreation, and commercial area. Major attractions there include:
Place Jacques Cartier - This hillside pedestrian plaza connects the Rue Notre Dame thoroughfare of the city with the waterfront Rue de La Commune and the parallel Rue Saint-Paul. People flock to the area and surrounding streets to explore restaurants, cafes, and boutique stores. Vendor booths display classic photos and offer flowers and local merchandise to people out for strolls and tourists seeking to sample the charms of the old city.
Old Port- Along the waterfront, the original site of the French trading post, there are large piers that jut out into the St Lawrence River. This harbor area has been turned into an entertainment district called Old Port. Old Port features a large observation wheel called La Grande Roue de Montreal with forty-two gondolas. In addition, Old Port has a kiddie train, a zipline across the water, a pirate ship themed climbing area, food trucks, and stalls for vendors to display arts and crafts. Complementing the observation wheel is a huge, tented area operated by Cirque du Soleil which currently presents a theme show called Kurios-Cabinet of Curiosities.
Boat Cruises - Cruises are offered from the Grand Quay located just south of Old Port. Vessels there feature dinner excursions, sightseeing tours of the river, and powerboat rides. The river still generates considerable marine activity and views of the impressive skyline of the city.
Visit Landmarks and Museums
The French and Catholic origins of the original settlers of New France had a lasting impact on Montreal and other parts of Quebec province. In addition to preserving traditions such as cobblestone streets, French cuisine, and the French language, Montreal's landmarks and museums honor the city's French history and culture.
Basilica Notre Dame de Montreal- Many European cities boast grand churches. However, the Basilica Notre Dame is the grandest Catholic Church in North America. Built in 1829 by an American architect, this neo-gothic church features over 3,000 seats, two balconies, a huge organ and intricate woodwork. The aisles of the church have stained glass windows and paintings that memorialize major events in the development of the city and the life of Jesus Crist. Up to one million people visit the church annually, which is open throughout the day for a small admission fee except during the church’s morning and midday mass. Located in the center of the old city facing the Place D'Armes, the church has twin towers and an attached seminary which dates from 1685.
Musee de Beaux Arts- The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is highly regarded for its diverse pavilions which include works by Canadian and international artists from numerous eras. One gallery displays archaeological objects from ancient civilizations including Mesoamerican and other world cultures. The Canadian collections feature Quebec based artists and First Nation carvings and paintings. Masterpieces from the Medieval, Renaissance, and modern periods are included in the Museum's Arts collection. The museum continues to expand by adding photographs, contemporary paintings, and sculptures.
Montreal Science Center - One of the new attractions along the Old Port that was converted from a quay is the Maritime Science Center. This Museum bursts with displays, colors, and interactive exhibits on science, technology, and space that will appeal to curious children and teenagers. The Museum includes an IMAX Theater that shows documentaries such as a 3D film on Australia and another nature one on "Wings over Water."
Centre des Memories Montreal - This museum is both clever and unusual. It tells stories about Montreal's history by focusing on the experiences of individual residents during five different historical eras. It starts with the first meetings between European explorers and First Nations peoples and ends with an exhibition of the cultural changes that affected residents in the 1960s. Another floor of the Museum uses multimedia displays and interactive exhibits to present the history and evolution of certain popular neighborhoods in the city and their distinct residents.
Enjoy Shopping and Food Marketplaces
There are a wide variety of shopping places available in Montreal to purchase distinctive Canadian merchandise and food products. First, there is a large retail area on Rue Sainte-Catherine Street. The Hudson Bay department store displays designer clothes and luxury products along with all kinds of merchandise. Just up the road is the Eaton Mall which has an interesting mix of Canadian brands, US retailers and French merchants. Down under both locations is Montreal's Underground City which grew from a few retailers selling goods to subway riders into a complex network of 1600 shops and two hundred restaurants stretching throughout downtown. Another popular shopping activity is visiting the markets around the city. Jean-Talon is a covered public market which is known for its meals, baked goods, cafes, and specialty foods. People go there to buy quality items or just to eat the merchandise. Other people seek out gourmet food at Le Cathcart in the downtown which has a wide selection of great restaurants in a restored hall.
Discover Great Outdoor Parks
Montreal is a large urban center but still managed to lay out some park land for residents and visitors to enjoy. Some places worth checking out are:
Mont Royal Park - One hundred and fifty years ago the city bought land on and around Mount Royal, the highest hill in the area. It also hired the architect responsible for New York’s Central Park to shape the 250 acres around the mountain into a special retreat. Taking advantage of the great views from the park, the city added a lake, trails, and a roadway that preserve the area's natural beauty and provide fields suitable for passive and accurate recreation.
Island Parks - The two large islands located east of the waterfront in the St. Lawrence River were first used as a fort in the early 1800s to defend the city and then largely deserted until the modern city of Montreal emerged in the 1960s. Excavated rock from city projects was used to create the Ile Notre Dame in 1967. That island along with the Ile Sainte-Helene were used as the site for Canada's Expo World Fair in 1967 and as the venue for Summer Olympic events in 1976. Today, these areas are used as an event venue for various festivals, concerts, winter sports, and also a casino site. Another popular attraction there is the Biosphere which serves as a center for studying the St Lawrence River and the Great lakes.