Montréal. A History
"Discovered" in 1535 by Jacques Cartier, and founded more than a century later, in 1642, by a handful of French settlers determined to convert the native American Indians to Christianity, Montréal, today, numbers 3.4 million people of virtually every single nationality and creed on the planet. Throughout its colourful history, Montréal has been in turn a French settlement, a British stronghold and a bilingual city. Today it is officially bilingual and proud of its status as the largest French-speaking city in North America and second-largest French-speaking city in the world. In fact, this is a wonderful example of a truly international city where newcomers feel right at home and visitors will always find someone who speaks their language. The founders settled along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the majestic river that brought them here. Today as you tour the Old Port and Old Montréal, you'll find that much of what they and their ancestors built has been lovingly preserved: graceful stone buildings, stately churches, cobblestone streets... Elsewhere, historic neighbourhoods are being restored so more people can live downtown, but it is being done very carefully so as to preserve the special character of each area. Twice Montréal has hosted huge international events: the World Fair in 1967 and the Summer Olympics in 1976. Both times the city donned new apparel to receive its guests, and the unique pavilions built for Expo as well as the stunning Olympic Stadium are testaments to the pure creativity and welcoming spirit that drive this city.

 

The Food of Life
In a city this cosmopolitan, the tastes of diverse cultures make eating out a veritable culinary feast. While French cuisine certainly forms a large part of the Montréal dining experience, over the years it’s been complemented by myriad new dishes. For a taste of the world, all you have to do is step outside. Each neighbourhood has its specialty and favourite eating spot. Especially popular are the bring-your-own-wine restaurants in and around Prince-Arthur Street and the Square Saint-Louis. You'll find liquor stores with a very fine selection of wines on virtually every street, and if you feel like springing for a more memorable bottle, you're sure to find it at the Signature boutique, a very select liquor store, at the Complexe Les Ailes. In February, Montréal chefs tease, titillate and tantalize our tastebuds during the fine dining series of the 11-day Montréal HIGH LIGHTS Festival. An array of activities, including theme brunches, gastronomic evenings and culinary workshops, take place in restaurants all around town. World-renowned guest chefs also come down for the event to share their coveted kitchen secrets. No city in the world welcomes the first rays of spring sunshine with more ceremony and panache. Parasols sprout like so many brightly-coloured mushrooms on terrasses all over the city as tables fill with sun worshippers sipping, munching and chatting away the long days until well past Labour Day. Terrasse sitting is a sacred ritual in Montréal as everyone will tell you. So is greeting each new day with a café au lait (sipped very slowly and dreamily) and ending a perfect meal with a platter of choice, unctuous cheeses made right here in Québec. To take home other delicious local specialties, visit the Marché des Saveurs in the Jean-Talon Market.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Looking for a special place to stay? Montréal has a lot to offer, from major hotel chains to cozy B&Bs, including luxury inns. And most accommodations are within or close to the downtown core, so you'll have easy access to wherever you're going.

WINING AND DINING
Montréal has excellent restaurants for every taste and budget, including "bring-your-own-wine" restaurants – they usually have a sign in the window to identify them. These are primarily located in the Plateau area on Prince-Arthur and Duluth Streets. You can pick up beer and wine at convenience (dépanneurs) and grocery stores until 11 p.m., but for a greater selection of wine, stop by a Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ). These stores, with the square burgundy logo, are open weekdays and Saturdays, with some outlets open on Sundays. Most SAQ's are closed on holidays. Bars and restaurants serve alcohol from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., with the exception of beer halls (brasseries) which serve liquor from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. The legal drinking age in Québec is 18 years old.

Canadian Currency
Canadian currency is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 1000 dollar bills. One and two dollar bills have been replaced by coins, sometimes referred to as "Loonies" (the bird on the $1 is a loon) and "Twonies" ($2). Smaller coins are 1, 5, 10, and 25 cent pieces. Keep an eye out for all the different designs on the larger coins, especially quarters: new coins are issued frequently to highlight different aspects of Canadian history and culture. It's easy to exchange foreign currency in Montréal. You can cash traveller's cheques at banks and exchange offices (Bureau de change in French) which are common in the areas you'll be visiting. Banking and credit cards are also welcome so you can withdraw with your bank card, use major credit cards, or even pay directly at stores, restaurants, etc. with Interact service – just look for the yellow sign. Many businesses will also accept US dollars and traveller's cheques, but it's always a good idea to carry Canadian money with you.

Tipping
Service is not included in restaurants, so it is customary to add a 15% tip to the total. (A quick way to calculate the appropriate tip amount is to add up the two taxes – they appear at the bottom of your bill. It works out to roughly 15%). If you're with a group, 15% for service may be automatically added to your bill. Just ask when you're not sure if tip is included. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. are also normally tipped 15%. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least $1 per suitcase or per service rendered. Coffee and food counters often have a tip cup next to the cash register; spare change is always appreciated.

WHAT TO SEE IN MONTREAL
Montréal has a unique mix of historical, natural and cultural offerings to satisfy even your most diverse tour groups and individual travelers. Here are some of the key attractions, sure to please your visiting clients. Go to "Quick Search" for a complete listing.

Visiting Museums
MONTRÉAL MUSEUMS PASS : 30 MUSEUMS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR 3 DAYS FOR ONLY $39 !

Reflecting the history and cultural diversity of Montréal, the island’s some 30 museums address a wide variety of themes from innovative and highly authentic angles. Montréal’s museums offer amazing diversity: from art (painting, sculpture, architecture, furniture, handicrafts, cinema and performing arts) to history (New World, Montréal, Québec, Canada) and science (archaeology, physics, ecology, botany, astronomy, medicine). They truly have something for everyone!

Sold at a cost of $39 (taxes included), the Montréal Museums Pass gives visitors admission to 30 of Montréal’s museums and attractions as well as unlimited use of public transport for three consecutive days.

3 days, 30 museums and attractions and transport for $39: there’s simply no better way to make the most of your stay in Montréal!

Where to pick it up:

• At all participating museums and attractions (does not include the Biodôme, the Botanical Garden, the Insectarium and the Planétarium)
• Infotouriste Centre: 1255 Peel Street (Travelprice agency counter)
• Tourist Welcome Office Old Montréal : 174 Notre-Dame Street East
• The Village Tourism Information Centre: 576 Sainte-Catherine Street East, Suite 200
• At some of Montréal’s major hotels
• On The Getaway Boutique Web site: www.laforfaiterie.com

When you purchase the Montréal Museums Pass, you receive:

The museums-attractions pass
The 3-day public transport tourist card (STM)
The guide of participating museums and attractions

The museums-attractions pass comes independent of the transport card, leaving you the option of activating it simultaneously or at two different dates.

To help you prepare your stay:

The Montréal Museums Pass give you access to one visit per museum or attraction (one temporary exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and one EXPO package at the Montréal Science Centre)
Check the opening hours of the museums and attractions in the guide of participating museums and attractions
The Montréal Museums Pass does not offer special rates for children, seniors or students: call the museum or attraction directly for more information
Some museums are free of charge

The following museums and attractions are included in the Montréal Museums Pass:

• Canadian Centre for Architecture
• Centre d'histoire de Montréal
• Château Dufresne Museum
• Château Ramezay Museum
• Cinémathèque québécoise
• Écomusée du fier monde
• Environment Canada’s Biosphère
• Galerie d’art Stewart Hall Art Gallery
• Just For Laughs Museum
• Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery
• Maison Saint-Gabriel, Museum and Historical Site
• Marguerite-Bourgeoys Museum
• McCord Museum of Canadian History
• Montréal Biodôme
• Montréal Botanical Garden
• Montréal Holocaust Memorial Centre Museum
• Montréal Insectarium
• Montréal Planétarium
• Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal
• Musée de Lachine
• Musée des Hospitalières de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal
• Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec
• Musée Marc-Aurèle Fortin
• Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History
• Redpath Museum, McGill University
• Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site of Canada
• Stewart Museum at the Fort, Île Sainte-Hélène
• The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site of Canada
• The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
• The Montréal Science Centre

For more information:
Tel.: (514) 873-2015
Toll free: 1 877 BONJOUR
www.museesmontreal.org

EXPERIENCE MONTRÉAL
Montréal is truly an experience: old world charm, French joie de vivre and a modern style all its own. In this section, wander through travel itineraries and themed visits. Let yourself be transported into the very heart of the Montréal experience!

Montréal is an international city, accessible from just about anywhere in the world!

Connected via major airlines across the globe, Montréal is only an hour and a half from New York City, two hours from Chicago, and six hours from London. Montréal-Trudeau International Airport has recently undergone major renovations in order to improve services for travellers and to modernize the infrastructure. A new transborder jetty was opened in 2003 and an international jetty will be ready in 2005. Taxis and limousines ensure quick service to and from Montréal's downtown core. There is also shuttle bus service, l'Aérobus, which links the airports to convenient connecting points in Montréal.

Montréal's Gare centrale (Central Station), with rail connections from New York or Washington, is also a major stop for domestic trains from eastern or western Canada. The downtown station is conveniently connected to Bonaventure underground métro station by a pedestrian passageway. Bus travellers arrive right downtown at the Montréal Bus Central Station which is also connected to the métro (Berri-UQAM station).

Montréal is only 47 km (29 miles) from the New York border. The New York State Thruway (I-87) becomes Route 15, and U.S. I-89 becomes two-lane Route 133 which joins Highway 10 to Montréal. From I-91 in Massachusetts, highways 55 and 10 lead to Montréal. Visitors coming to Montréal from eastern or western Canada use highways 20 and 40. Québec speed limits are in kilometres (100 kph equals about 62 mph). Gasoline is sold in litres (3 3/4 litres equals 1 U.S. gallon).

Please take advantage of the maps and listings on this site to plan your trip. Getting to Montréal is easy!

Quick Links: Société de transport de la Communauté urbaine de Montréal • Aéroports de Montréal • Air Canada • VIA Rail Canada