72 Hours in Montréal

Earlier this year we journeyed north to Québec to experience a North American territory with a European flare. We traveled to Québec City and the surrounding area, with its rich French heritage, and to Charlevoix, reminiscent of the French countryside with artisanal producers and beautiful landscapes. Our last stop on our trip through Québec was Montréal. Originally called Ville-Marie, or “City of Mary, “ Montréal is the second largest city in Canada. This lively international destination has something for everyone, but here are our favorites reasons to visit Montréal.

* Comparison of the old and new in Montréal

Montréal is the third largest French-speaking city in the world and offers its visitors the flavors of the Québec region along with the amenities of a major metropolis. With a blend of cultures, unique neighborhoods, and an exciting dining scene, three days is not enough time to see and taste what Montreal has to offer.  This is particularly true in summertime when the outdoor venues, parks, museums, and attractions are bustling, and festivals, theater, arts, and special events are in full swing.  This is when the city comes alive with its residents enjoying the spectacular weather and tourists visiting the most popular attractions and highlights of the city.

Montréal’s Old Port area in early summer

Take a carriage ride through the streets of Old Montréal

Making new friends at Mondavie, a lively restaurant and jazz bar in Old Montréal

Of course, fall and winter are also ideal times to enjoy the cool temperatures and magnificent foliage. With the holidays approaching, the change in seasons, winter festivals, and outdoor activities, Montréal takes on another personality dressed in a blanket of fluffy white snow, adding to the ambiance of this vibrant city.

* City Hall of Montreal at Christmas time

* The city has a very active theater and arts community

While the popular and best-known attractions (such as Old Montréal, Olympic Stadium, and the Botanic Gardens), excellent shopping, and all of the activities mentioned above are reasons enough to plan a trip to Montréal, one of the major reasons to go is for their impressive culinary scene.

Salmon Tataki, beet and rhubarb consommé, beet ribbon, olive oil sable, sweet peas and herbs at Verses

Boulangerie Première Moisson at Jean-Talon Market

Home to an astounding 5,726 restaurants (according to the latest statistics), with many fine dining establishments and two Relais & Chateaux restaurants (Toque! And Europea), it is safe to say that one can literally eat their way through the city and one of the most interesting ways to do that is to walk through the local neighborhoods to capture the distinctiveness of each through its own food culture.

Québec cheeses at Marché des Saveurs, Jean-Talon Market

Spectacular produce at the Jean-Talon Market

Fresh lobsters at Jean-Talon Market