Page 13 - NBY News October 2020

On the Go...... “Montreal, Canada”
On the Go......
On the Go...
On the Go
On the Go

Bonjour a la Montreal more than 80 buildings on 80 acres of
By: Ronnie Greenberg land.
Photos: Joe Hilbers Saint Catherine Street’s
boutiques and stores on this main
With a passionate past and the present shopping artery, attest to Montreal’s
vibrant and beguiling, Montreal is French reputation as a fashion capital. Montreal
Canada with a North American culture Botanical Gardens is one of the most
and European charm. An eclectic important in the world, has 30 gardens
bilingual metropolis, it is mostly French, with the largest bonsai and penjing
yet English is spoken everywhere. The collection outside Asia. Also on the
traditions and ethnic cultures are an grounds is the unique Insectarium with
engaging blend that have influenced thousands of insects.
cuisines, fashion, and the arts. Old Montreal- “Vieux
The largest island in an archipelago on Montreal,” and the Old Port, is where the
the St. Lawrence River, Montreal is past, undeniably French, is preserved.
synonymous with the mountains, water, Horse drawn carriages, “caleche”, clip-
and wonderful parks. An outdoor activity clop down narrow flower-bedecked
paradise can be found throughout the cobblestone streets, as cast iron fleur-de-
four very distinctive seasons that shape lis lamp-posts light the way.
Montreal’s “soul.” Year round City Hall, built between 1872 and
Montreal beckons with sights and 1878, reopened in 1926 after a fire
attractions. In winter it is the ultimate destroyed the original building. The
playground with paths designed for grandiose marble Hall of Honor is
cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, dog illuminated with bronze lights, and large Old Montreal Restaurant
sledding, snow-mobiling and there are copper photos of all the mayors line the Vieux Montreal”
164 outdoor ice skating rinks. walls. Place Jacques Cartier is an outdoor
The history of Montreal dates gallery center and entertainment site,
back to the Iroquois settlement of featuring street artists, jugglers, and
Hochelaga, first sighted by French mimes. Saint Paul & Rue de la Commune
explorer Jacques Cartier when he sailed Streets is the area where buildings and
up the mouth of the St. Lawrence River in warehouses from the 19th century have
1535. Founded a century later in 1642 by been renovated to homes, boutiques and
Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de art studios. The street has inviting
Maisonneuve, the French settlement soon restaurants, busy nightclubs and jazz
turned into the fur-trading capital of clubs. Notre Dame Bascilica a Gothic
North America. Revival masterpiece built between 1824
Montreal remained a French and 1829, calls the faithful to worship
possession until the English captured the with a 12-ton bell. The basilica features a
city in 1760. The country of Canada was huge altar surrounded by woodcarvings,
created in 1867, and Montreal developed sculptures, rose stained-glass windows
into an international city. and paintings. It is the site of important
Portraits religious ceremonies, and classical
Downtown concerts.
Set between Mont-Royal and Montreal Museum of Photo: Mount Royal Park. For more information contact: Tourisme Montreal
historic Old Montreal, it is one of the Archaeology and History-Pointe-A- at 1-877-BONJOUR or visit their website at: www.mtl.org
most vibrant cosmopolitan areas of the Calliere is a fabulous museum with a 17th
city. century cemetery and an amazing walk (Montreal’s Fifth Avenue) are housed in entrance.
Underground City is virtually a city through the city’s foundation. A elegant town houses. Where to stay:
within the city with 22 miles of climate- multimedia show gives an overview of Saint-Laurent Boulevard is the Hotel Le Germain located at
controlled subterranean pedestrian malls. the city’s history, while conversations “meeting place” between the Anglophone 2050 rue Mansfield has the subdued
Along its corridors are boutiques, with 17th century Montrealers are made community on the west and the Francophone ambiance of luxury and tranquility that
cinemas, restaurants, museums, and possible via holographs. Biodome community on the East. The avenue is famous soothes and stimulates the senses. This
hotels all connected by The Metro, a crosses 4 eco systems, the subpolar as the in place for “night owls”. boutique hotel in the heart of the city
sophisticated subway system. Place des region, the cool Laurentian forest, the hot, Mount Royal set in the center of has loft type, double rooms and suites
art is Montreal’s main center for the humid tropical forest and the depths of Montreal, and cherished by Montrealers, that are warm and well appointed,
performing arts home to the Montreal the St. Lawrence River. reigns above the city. The magnificent along with a perfect continental
Symphony Orchestra, Opera de Montreal, Plateau Mount-Royal is the heart forested park was designed in 1876 by breakfast served each morning. For
McGill Chamber Orchestra, Les Grands and soul of Montreal, comparable to the Frederick Law Olmsted (designer of New reservations phone +1-514-849-2959 or
Ballets Canadians, Metropolitan “hip” areas of other great cities. Boutiques York’s Central Park). Winter activities include www.germainhotels.com
Orchestra, and three theaters. with one of a kind fashion designers cross-country skiing and ice skating on
Contemporary Art Museum of Montreal define Montreal. The area has many Beaver Lake. Culinary Delights
at the edge of Place des Arts, is a treasure painted row houses with outside University of Montreal is Quebec’s Montreal is the Gastronomic
trove of exhibits devoted exclusively to wrought-iron staircases. largest university, home to 50,000 students. capital of the world with a superb
Contemporary Art .McGill University Mont Royal Avenue is one of the The main building replete in Art Deco was variety of culinary specialties.
was founded by a bequest from James Mc three main arteries of the Plateau with completed in 1943. Saint Joseph’s Oratory Highlights include: Gibby’s 298 Place de
Gill, a Montreal fur trader. McGill boutiques and cafes, and a new public built in 1924 topped by a copper dome Yorkville; La Rotonde 185 Sainte-
received its charter in 1821 from King square. Young Canadian designer reaching 320 feet, is one of the world’s most Catherine Street W; and Schwartz’s
George IV, and classes commenced in boutiques on Rue Crescent and Rue de la visited shrines. The mountainside Bascilica is Hebrew Deli, a Jewish landmark and
1829. The downtown campus comprises Montagne, near Rue Sherbrook a place where miraculous cures have been popular hangout at 3895 Saint-Laurent
attributed. There are 300 steps to the Bascilica Boulevard.
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