Montreal

{{Pagebanner|Montreal banner Twilight - A panoramic view of Montreal from the top of Mount Royal]] Montreal (Montréal) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec. While Quebec City is the capital, Montreal is the cultural and economic centre, and the main entry point to the province. With 1.7 million citizens in the city and 4 million in the urban area, Montreal is Canada's second largest city, and the largest francophone city in the Americas. Still, a quarter of the population speak English as a mother language, and most Francophones are conversant in English. Montreal/Old Montreal|Old Montreal has a legacy of colonial times. Though a large city, Montreal gives opportunities for outdoor life, and for watching the legendary Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team.

Districts

Central Montreal

Ville-Marie borough

Neighbourhoods from west to east: {{Regionlist | regionmap=Wikivoyage_Montreal_neighborhood_map.png | regionmaptext=Montreal neighborhoods map | regionmapsize=440px

| region1name=Montreal/Downtown|Downtown | region1color=#FC57DA | region1items= | region1description=Skyscrapers, shopping, museums, and the Parc du Mont-Royal. | region2name=Montreal/Old Montreal|Old Montreal | region2color=#11F5CC | region2items= | region2description=The historic riverfront Old Town and Old Port manages to retain a quaint feel despite being mobbed by hordes of tourists. | region3name=Montreal/Quartier Latin-Le Village|Quartier Latin-Le Village | region3color=#8783A5 | region3items= | region3description=Restaurants, boutiques, cafes, pubs near UQAM in the Quartier Latin and in Le Village, and the working-class neighbourhood of Sainte-Marie. | region4name=Montreal/Parc Jean-Drapeau|Parc Jean-Drapeau | region4color=#ACC492 | region4items= | region4description=The islands of Île Sainte-Helene and Île Notre-Dame and the Montreal Casino.

Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood

{{Regionlist | regionmap= | regionmaptext= | regionmapsize= | region1name=Montreal/Plateau|The Plateau | region1color=#E9AFAE | region1items= | region1description=Trendy area north of downtown and east of Parc du Mont-Royal. | region2name=Montreal/Mile-End|Mile End | region2color=#066CF2 | region2items= | region2description=Bagels, restaurants, coffee shops and the Rialto Theatre, and boutiques.

Other Montreal neighborhoods and Montreal Island towns

Montreal/Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie Little Italy and Jean-Talon market.

Montreal/Westmount–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce The upscale anglophone enclave of Westmount and the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.

Montreal/Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Olympic Park, Botanical Gardens.

Montreal/Côte-des-Neiges Multicultural neighbourhood northwest of the mountain.

Montreal/Outremont Upscale francophone neighbourhood.

Montreal/South West Including Lachine canal, Atwater Market (a must!), gentrifying St. Henri, and the emerging culinary hot-spot, Petite-Bourgogne.

Montreal/Verdun Quiet neighbourhood with emerging cuisine scene and activities along the river. Elsewhere on the island   Montreal/West Island the western part of the island of Montreal. It is mainly a residential suburb of the city of Montreal. It is the location of Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport and McGill University's MacDonald Campus. The residents are mostly English speakers (or "anglophones"), in contrast to the mostly French speaking residents of the rest of Montreal (excluding Westmount). (About 55% of the population is anglophone, 20% is francophone, and 25% is "other".) Montreal Halal Explorer Old_Port_of_Montreal_(French-_Vieux-Port_de_Montréal) - Montreal Old Port Montreal NDame1 tango7174 - Place d'Armes in Old Montreal On an island in the St. Lawrence River at the historically highest navigable point, Montreal has been a strategic location since before the arrival of Europeans in Canada. A thriving Iroquoian town called Hochelaga was on the site of present-day Montreal when explorer Jacques Cartier first visited in 1535. In 1642 and the tiny town of Ville-Marie was founded as a Catholic mission by Paul Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve. It soon became a centre of the fur trade. After its capture by the English in 1762, Montreal remained (until the 1970s) the most important city in Canada and was briefly capital of the province in the 1840s. Prohibition on sales of drinks in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s made Montreal a Mecca for cross-border fun seekers from nearby New England and New York. The city built up a seedy, yet playful, industry in alcohol, burlesque, and other vices. In the 1960s, an urban renewal drive centred on Expo 67. The World's Fair in Montreal brought a subway system (the métro) and attractive urban parks and is considered to be one of the most successful World Fairs. Over 50 million visitors gathered in Montreal during this memorable summer. The 1976 Olympics left a strikingly idiosyncratic stadium and many other urban improvements. The opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway in 1959, though much-lauded as an economic boom, spelled the beginning of the end for Montreal's economic dominance in Canada. Once the transition point between western railways and eastern sea carriers, Montreal watched helplessly as some of this business moved farther west, up the now navigable seaway, to ports in Ontario and on Lake Superior. The Quebec sovereignty movement, which began to pick up steam in the 1960s, further chilled the atmosphere for Canada-wide businesses, many of which moved their headquarters to Toronto. Following an economic depression in the 1980s and 1990s, Montreal became more secure in its place in North America and the world. It remains a centre of culture, arts, computer technology, aerospace and the biotech industry, and media for all of Canada. Orientation Montreal WV - As the world sees Montreal - Assuming north is up File:montreal rt - As we see ourselves - Assuming north is up It has been said that Montraal is the only city in the world where the sun "rises in the south". Montrealers use an unconventional compass, using the river and the mountain as cardinal points. When you are downtown and the Street Lawrence River is “south” and Mount Royal is “north”; making the West Island and the East End correct in both their names and orientations. This tends to confuse visitors because the “East” End is really north and the “South” Shore is east, and the Street Lawrence River runs almost north-south at this location. Most local maps use this convention as do the highways around the city. For example, Autoroute 15 north actually runs northwest and Autoroute 40 east runs northeast. To underscore this fact, a Montreal map will show that the "south end" of Victoria Bridge is in fact further north than the "north end". How is the Climate in Montreal The climate of Montreal is a true humid continental climate with 4 distinct seasons. The city has warm—and occasionally hot & humid—summers, generally mild spring and autumn, and often very cold & snowy winters. Montreal gets over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. Precipitation is moderate throughout the year, with around 2 metres of snow per season. Visitor information Centre Infotouriste de Montraal There are also many private and public parking lots, and their prices vary widely. There may even be $15–20 differences between two parking lots just a few blocks from each other. Sign Language

During the winter months, heavy snowfalls are common. In the aftermath of a snowstorm, an intensively-prepared "déneigement" (snow removal) process begins with intimidatingly large snow plows and trucks clearing, chewing up, and transporting away the snow. If you leave your vehicle parked on a street, pay close attention to any orange "no parking" signs that will appear on roads to be cleared. Tow trucks will sound a loud 2-tone horn siren just before clearing. This is an announcement that a street is about to be cleared and that all parked cars will be cited/and or towed if they are not moved. For this reason it's important to be able to check your vehicle at least once daily after a snowfall. It is best to use indoor or underground parking if snow clearing is likely.

Many downtown streets are one way, which can complicate getting around. If you see a sign at an intersection that has direction arrows in a green circle, that means those are the only directions you are allowed to turn. Left turns are allowed on a green light provided there are no other signs prohibiting. Visitors should be familiar with the flashing green light, which indicates a protected left-turn (priority), which is equivalent to a green arrow in other parts of the world. Some signals are green arrows that flash, this is the same meaning. Autoroutes (expressways or freeways) can be challenging for visitors, as most signs are French, but most symbols are the same as in English Canada and the United States.

By bike

Bixi St-Laurent - Bixi bike stand

Cycling is the best way to visit the city, especially its central neighbourhoods like the Plateau Mont-Royal; it is a very popular mode of transportation once the coldest winter weather is over. The city is criss-crossed by 660 km of cycle paths, including some which cross the St. Lawrence onto the Island of Montreal. By far the nicest path is the Lachine Canal path that stretches from Lachine, along Lac St-Louis, down to Old Montreal along the canal. You can cross over to the South Shore either on the Jacques Cartier Bridge, Île Notre-Dame, or via the Estacade ice bridge from Île des Sœurs.

Even if you are on a bike path, beware of drivers especially if they are turning, as lines of visibility at intersections are not well enforced in the city. Generally Montreal drivers in the central neighbourhoods are used to sharing the road with bikes and so are courteous and there are always a few, usually from outlying neighbourhoods, who give all drivers a bad name. Some downtown bike paths are separated from the road by parked cars, which decreases visibility, both yours and the driver's. The often crowded bike path on Rue Rachel one is the worst for this, however the Plateau part of the path will be renovated soon to make it safer and greener. If one is comfortable driving in Montreal, one generally can feel comfortable biking there as well. Montreal pedestrians are known for not waiting for a light to change if there are no cars coming; cyclists are a bit like that too and often treat the many stop signs on residential streets more as yield signs than as stop signs. Wearing a helmet is not required under the law, though, for children especially, it's better to be safe than sorry.

The Bixi system is a public bike-share system. Rated the best in the world, it was designed and developed in Montreal and has since been exported to many cities around the world including London, UK and Sydney, Australia. Major credit cards are accepted. The Bixi was conceived for local active transit but is accessible to tourists as well. For a flat $5 fee, you can use Bixi bikes as much as you like for 24 hours provided you don't use a particular bixi bike for more than 30 minutes at a time before returning it to a docking station. After returning the bike to a docking station, you can get another bike (even at the same station) after a 2-minutes waiting period. There are over 400 Bixi stations with over 5000 bikes around the city concentrated in the downtown and central neighbourhoods like the Plateau (though its expanding all the time). The tourist information centre has maps of the stations. Helmets and locks are not provided. You could use your own lock, but there is usually a station not more than a block away on a commercial strip so returning the Bixi to the nearest stand is always the safest and most cost-effective choice. Stations fill up and empty quickly; you may have to bike to the next station to find an empty docking spot. If you have a smart phone and there is an app that shows you real-time the nearest stations, how many bikes are docked, or whether there is a free docking spot available.

Skate and bike rental shops are common, particularly in the Old Port and the Plateau. Visit La Maison des Cyclistes (the cyclists' house) at 1251 Rue Rachel Est for all info on cycling in Montreal. (See Do for specific bike paths).

By metro or bus

Fanfare for Copland|The sounds produced by electrical equipment when a Montreal Metro train is departing are the first three notes of Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland, although this is really just a coincidence.

Montrealmetromap.svg|Map of Metro stations

MontrealMetroTires - |Montreal Metro train at Place-des-Arts station

The public transit system, run by Société de transport de Montraal (STM), is safe, efficient, and is overall pleasant to use. Tickets have been replaced by cards with magnetic stripe containing one trip, called an à la carte ticket. These are valid for one trip (including unlimited transfers in the same way for 90 min) on the metro and buses, costing $3.25 each (exact fare in coins is required on the buses but not on the metro) but are also available for less when you purchase two for $6.00 or ten for $27.00 (OPUS card required) either from the metro agent or the automatic fare vending machine in metro stations. Signs and announcements are only in French, though ticket machines are bilingual in French and English. Many metro counter staff are also able to speak English.

Montreal metro stations and train cars do not have air conditioning: the Metro can sometimes get uncomfortably hot, in every season. It is, however, still the best transport option in the city.

Only certain metro tickets are valid in Laval and Longueuil. 10-trip tickets, and weekly and monthly passes, are still not accepted. You may need to buy another ticket for the same price ($3.25) A full listing of all types of tickets and their validity can be found /sites/default/files/pdf/en/tarifs.pdf here.]

You must keep your payment card as it is your transfer and your proof of payment (correspondance); fare inspectors may give you a large fine if you are unable to show it when they request it.

If you are using cash to pay your fare on the bus, it is important to have the exact fare since the driver does not give change; you will receive an à la carte ticket, your proof of payment and your transfer. Pictures and specific instructions can be found here.]

Tourist passes offer unlimited travel on the bus and metro for periods of one day ($10) or three days ($18) and are well worth it to avoid fumbling for change, checking transfer times and restrictions, and worrying about getting off at the wrong stop and having to repay. There is also an option for unlimited evenings ($5), valid between 18:00 and 05:00 the next morning, which can be practical on a night out, since it's cheaper than buying a two-way ticket (which would cost $6). They are available for purchase at all metro stations (pay cash or use Canadian credit or debit cards only). Weekly ($25.50, valid for one calendar week running Monday through Sunday) and monthly ($83, valid by calendar month) passes are also available; unlike one day and three day passes, weekly and monthly passes must be loaded onto an OPUS card (see below) and are not available in paper ticket form.

The OPUS card is a smart card with a chip that contains your fare and transfer information. The OPUS card can be purchased at all metro stations and transit fare points of sale. As of January 2017 and the card costs $6. You can find your nearest seller here.]

OPUS cards can be refilled at metro stations using the automated machines or at the ticket booth.

The STM website offers an online trip-planner service.] Trip planning can also be done using Google Maps. Free bus and Metro system maps are available from the ticket booth at most metro stations. These are useful to find where you are on the island.

At each metro station, directions are not indicated by compass directions, such as westbound or eastbound. Instead, trains go in the direction of a metro line's terminus. The green line runs from Angrignon in the west to Honoré-Beaugrand in the east. If you were to travel eastbound, for example, you would look for Honoré-Beaugrand on the platform. If you were to travel westbound, you would look for Angrignon. There are four interchange stations at which commuters can change subway lines without extra charge: Snowdon (blue/orange), Lionel-Groulx (orange/green), Berri-UQAM (green/yellow/orange), and Jean-Talon (orange/blue).

Bicycles are permitted aboard metro trains outside of the rush hours such as: 10:00-15:00 and 19:00 to end of service on weekdays and all day Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. Bikes are only allowed in the lead vehicle of the train up to a maximum of 6. STM staff may deny bikes aboard the metro for safety reasons such as special events that might generate a high level of ridership. Lists of such events are posted on the STM website and at the entrances to metro. During festival season in Montreal, bikes are seldom allowed at all.

Bike riding inside stations or the Underground City is strictly prohibited.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Montreal

Montreal has a commuter train system run by the Réseau de transport métropolitain (RTM, formerly the "AMT") with terminal at the Montreal Central Station (Gare Central) and at Lucien-L'Allier (both are accessible from the metro). Commuter trains are handy for getting to suburbs and neighbouring towns.

Commuter train stations are divided into six zones that radiate out from downtown. Stations have automated machines from which you must purchase a ticket appropriate to the zones of the station you are traveling to or from, whichever is farther (for example, a trip from Zone 1 to Zone 3 or vice versa would require a Zone 3 ticket). A prepurchased ticket card (SOLO) must be validated at the card scanners at the entrance to the platform. In general, reduced fares (for students and seniors) require ID that is not available to travelers, but if you are staying in the area, ask an employee for more details as the rules are complicated, but you can get good savings.

There are no ticket machines on the train and ticket inspections are random. Incorrect tickets sometimes go unnoticed because inspectors check only occasionally. However, it is best to avoid taking chances as if the ticket is not valid and the client can get a fine of $400. The ticket machines should now all be bilingual in English and French. The two downtown stations have staffed ticket booths Monday to Friday, but not in the evenings. Other stations may also have booths but generally only during either the morning or afternoon rush hour.

Map

MapArt produces an excellent map in book-form of downtown Montreal and environs, including Vieux Montraal, Mount Royal and the Plateau, and areas as far north as the University of Montreal and as far south as Parc Jean-Drapeau. That form is handy as you can avoid always folding a map of the whole island.

Below is a basic map of the primary areas of interest to visitors.

File:central montreal map - 350px

What to see in Montreal

Marché Bonsecours and Foliage - The dome of the Marché Bonsecours in Old Montraal Activité Papillons en Liberté - Jardin botanique de Montraal.ogv|Butterflies Go Free video

• Montreal/Old City#See|Old Montraal contains the vast majority of historical buildings, most dating from the 17th - 19th century, and many museums. At night several of the buildings are beautifully lit up. A Tourist Office brochure lays out a walking map. Consider following it once during the day, and again at night.
• Montreal/Plateau#See|Le Plateau combines scenic residential streets with hip shopping and dining.
• Montreal/Downtown#See|Downtown Skyscrapers, McGill campus, churches, and museums. Several blocks are connected by 30 km of underground arcades and malls, allowing comfortable walking and shopping when the weather is foul.
• Montreal/Parc Jean-Drapeau|Parc Jean-Drapeau, site of the 1967 World's Fair, now devoted to green spaces and a large outdoor concert venue. The Gilles-Villeneuve racing circuit, home of the Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix. An artificial beach, a huge outdoor swimmingpool complex, and the Montreal Casino are also in or around the park.

Montreal Biosphere - |The Biosphere, a geodesic sphere on the grounds of the 1967 World's Fair

• A few kilometers Metro ride to the north, Montreal/Hochelaga-Maisonneuve#See|Hochelaga-Maisonneuve offers the Olympic Stadium, Insectarium, Jardin Botanique, and Biodôme. Allow four hours to see all four.
• Churches - Montreal is home to four Roman Catholic basilicas, all of which have interiors that are among the most impressive in North America. Montreal/Downtown|Downtown Montreal is home to Saint Joseph's Oratory (Oratoire Saint-Joseph) and the largest church in Canada, Mary, Queen of the World Gothic Church (Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde) and Saint Patrick's Basilica (Basilique Saint-Patrick), which was built to serve Montreal's Anglophone Catholic community. In Montreal/Old Montreal|Old Montreal and the Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame) at Place d'Armes is undoubtedly the most famous in Montreal, and is known throughout the world for its lavishly decorated and colourful interior. Although rather small and not a basilica, another church of note in Old Montreal is the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel (Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours) near the Bonsecours Market and the first church to be founded in Montreal, which is known for its maritime theme and beautiful frescoes on the inside.

• Rialto Theatre - 5723 ave du Parc - The Rialto Theatre is one of the most iconic buildings of Montreal. Its graceful proportions and elegant details are a delight to behold. Long dormant and unused, it is now a centre for the performing arts: open and inclusive, multilingual and multicultural. The Rialto hosts tours, events, plays, bands, and movies.

• Mosaicultures internationales, seasonal

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Montreal

• Casino de Montraal - 1, avenue du Casino 45.505375, -73.525827 metro Jean-Drapeau ☎ +1 514 392-2746
• La Ronde - member of the Six Flags family - 22, chemin Macdonald metro Jean-Drapeau - Discounts are readily available: a Coca-Cola tin is worth an $8 discount on any rides ticket

Cross-country skiing

During the winter, many parks offer the possibility to do cross-country skiing with groomed paths.

• Parc regional de l'Ile-de-la-Visitation — Ski rental available.

• Parc du Mont-Royal - Ski rental available and usually the best ski conditions.

• Parc Maisonneuve and Jardin Botanique — No ski rental.

Ice skating

• Year-round ice-skating, 1000, Rue De La Gauchetière (metro Bonaventure).
• Free skating, Lac aux Castors (Beaver Lake), in the Parc Mont-Royal.
• Free skating, Connected ponds of Lafontaine Park, in Plateau Mont-Royal.
• Winter skating, in the Old Port (Vieux-Port) in front of the Bonsecours Market and many parks.

Montreal Island's Grands Parcs|The greater Montreal area offers large parks for year-round outdoor recreation. The most accessible are Parc du Mont Royal and Parc Lafontaine in the Montreal/Plateau|Plateau, Montreal/Parc Jean-Drapeau|Parc Jean-Drapeau offers the closest beach park, and Parc Maisonneuve, next to the Olympic Sports complex and Botanical Gardens. Further afield, Parc des Rapids and Parc Angrignon are in Montreal/Le Sud-Ouest|Le Sud-Ouest and Parc René-Lévesque further West, with miles of bike paths and access to river surfing.

Water sports

• River surfing — Although the Saint Lawrence River is frozen nearly solid for four to five months out of the year and the waterway has become a magnet for aficionados of this new sport. Unlike their oceanic brethren, river surfers ride the standing waves in fresh waterways. The Saint Lawrence has two main locations for the sport: Habitat 67 is close to the bridge between Montreal and Île des Soeurs and the site of the 1967 Expo and the Montreal Casino. (This wave is commonly called Expo 67.) The Surf 66 Boardshop at the 1952 Rue Cabot offers lessons.
• Kayaking — Just off the shore of the park in Lasalle are the Lachine Rapids. Huge waves, fast water, and loads of fun for kayaks. Lessons are available on site in the huge eddy formed by the peninsula. Annual surf (rodeo) competitions at "Big Joe" (still called "Beneath the Wheel" by old schoolers). Other famous play waves on this set of rapids on the St. Lawrence river are, Istambul and Constantinople, Pyramid, Slice and Dice, Black and Decker, and HMF on the other side of the islands. For those seeking less of an adrenaline rush and there is always the Bunny Wave (La Vague a Guy) upstream near the bike path at Park Rene Lesvesque. Rafting these same rapids is also a fun option.

Bike

An interactive map of the cycle path network is available at the Vélo Québec website.] Particularly pleasant places to cycle and skate include:

• Parc Maisonneuve — A large park with smooth paths.
• Parc Jean-Drapeau — Particularly the Île Notre-Dame on the Formula One race track: a fantastic view across the water to downtown Montreal.
• Lachine Canal — Bike paths west of the Old Port.
• Rivière-des-Prairies — You can ride across Montreal Island from west to east along the river on the north of Montreal. Many sites have incredible views. A stop at Perry Island is a must.

Parks

• Plaza Saint-Louis, corner of Rue Saint-Denis and Rue Prince-Arthur, slightly north of Rue Sherbrooke (metro Sherbrooke). A charming little park with majestic trees and a lovely fountain, lined with charming houses on three sides (the Institute of Hotel Techniques of Quebec hotel school is the fourth side). This was the site of the first water reservoir in Montreal.
• Parc Jean Drapeau — The former Expo 67 fairgrounds, Parc Jean Drapeau is spread across two islands (Ile Ste-Helene and Ile Notre Dame) in the Saint Lawrence River. On Sundays in the summer, join thousands of Montrealers revelling in the sunshine and music outdoors at Piknik Électronique. People enjoy riding a bicycle around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve race track on Île Notre Dame. La Ronde and the Montreal Biosphere are here. (metro Parc Jean Drapeau)
• Parc Lafontaine, from avenue Papineau to avenue du Parc Lafontaine and from Rue Rachel to Rue Sherbrooke. Ice skating on the lake in the winter, baseball, boules, and outdoor theatre in the summer. (metro Sherbrooke)

Montreal - Parc Mont-Royal, Statue d'Athéna - 20050320 - Monument Georges-Étienne Cartier. Parc du Mont-Royal

• Parc Maisonneuve and Jardin Botanique de Montreal - from Rue Sherbrooke to boulevard Rosemont and from boulevard Pie-IX to avenue Viau (metro Pie-IX or Viau) - The Jardin Botanique is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world and features the First Nations Garden and the Insectarium and the Tree House, and 16 different themed gardens and greenhouses.

• Parc du Mont-Royal - ☎ +1 514-843-8240 North of avenue des Pins, between avenue du Parc and chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges. This beautiful, immense urban park tops the "mountain" (at 232, it's more like a hill) that overlooks all of Montreal and lends the city its name. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, creator of Central Park and Prospect Park in New York and the park is elegant and accessible, and has hundreds of nooks and crannies to explore. A broad and gradual 8-km (5-mile) bike and pedestrian path begins at the Monument Georges-Étienne Cartier (on Avenue du Parc, opposite the western end of Rue Rachel, where the bike path continues), winding its way around the mountain and culminating at the Belvédère (lookout) and Chalet Mont-Royal, with incredible views of downtown and the St. Lawrence river, and the Eastern Townships. The Belevedere and Chalet are also accessible from downtown by the newly restored staircase, access via the path at the top of Rue Peel. Many smaller paths and trails crisscross the park. For lazy visitors, or those with limited mobility, you can enjoy a wonderful view from the mountain by taking bus route 11, which stops at the lookout on Chemin Remembrance, and at Beaver Lake. Every Sunday during the summer, thousands of people get together at the monument on Avenue du Parc to enjoy the big tam-tam jam.

• Parc Jeanne-Mance, bordered by avenue du Parc, avenue Duluth (with a small extension south as far as avenue des Pins), Rue de l'Esplanade and avenue Mont-Royal, directly across from Parc du Mont-Royal. Includes tennis courts, baseball/softball diamonds, a soccer/football pitch, beach volleyball courts, a skating rink in winter. Also a very popular dog-walking venue.

• Parc de l'Ile-de-la-Visitation - ☎ +1 514 280-6733 Rue d'Iberville and boulevard Gouin, (metro Henri-Bourassa, Bus 69 east). This regional park is along the Rivière-des-Prairies. Quiet and enjoyable place to bring a lunch and relax for an afternoon. Good starting point for a cycling tour along the river.

Festivals

Montreal has a bewildering variety of festivals, ranging from one-day ethnic fairs to huge international productions running two weeks or more. They are generally held in the summer and autumn, though increasingly they can be found throughout the year. Here are some of the larger ones:

• Just For Laughs Festival - Comedy festival with three main components: indoor paid shows (usually stand-up, but not always), free street theatre/comedy, and a mini film festival called Comedia. July.

• Shakespeare-in-the-Park - During the summer in parks around Montreal, Repercussion Theatre puts on outdoor performances of Shakespeare plays free of charge.

• Festival du Monde Arabe - GPS: - In November, an annual festival celebrating the music and culture of the Arab world takes place in Montreal. Many Arab performers, traditional and modern, take the stage.

• Festival Mondiale de la bière - 2018: inside - Palais des congrès de Montraal, 201 Viger Street West (Place-d'Armes métro station); outside - Palais des congrès Esplanade, de la Gauchetière Street between Cheneville and Côté Street Opening Hours: June 6-9, 2018: 12:00-23:00 Annually, in early June: Five days of tasting soft drinks, ciders, and other beverages from all over Quebec, Canada and further afield. 2017's event boasted over 529 different soft drinks from 9 countries. There is no admission fee (but you can buy a souvenir sampling mug for about $8) and samples typically sell for 2-8 tickets ($1 a ticket) for a 150-200 ml sample. There are also scheduled musical performances and food kiosks. The festival can get very busy at peak times (Friday and Saturday evening of the event), so it is advisable to arrive early to avoid feasible long queues.

• Montreal en lumière - A relatively new wintertime affair, attempting to transplant the city's festival magic to the cold season. Includes three main categories of activities: food and fruit cocktail, performing arts, and free activities both indoor and outdoor. February.

• Montreal International Fireworks Competition - @quebec.com ☎ +1 514-397-2000 In La Ronde amusement park (in Parc Jean-Drapeau). This fantastic festival features full-length fireworks displays, accompanied by orchestral music, by national teams from about a dozen countries around the world. Although the hot seats are inside the La Ronde theme park and the fireworks are visible from pretty much any clear space or rooftop in the centre of the city. Pedestrians can watch from Jacques Cartier Bridge, which is closed from 20:00 on fireworks nights. Another good spot is the promenade west of the Old Port. $35–45 (seats in La Ronde, free everywhere else). Saturdays 22:00 from mid-June to late July, and Wednesdays 22:00 from mid-July on.

• Fete de St-Jean-Baptiste

June 24 is Quebec's national holiday (Fête nationale). During the evening, a huge show takes place at Maisonneuve park. This is the show to go to hear made-in-Quebec music. Free. Street parties can also be found all over the city.

• International Festival of Film on Art - Devoted to the promotion and presentation of the finest productions on art and media art. A ten-day competitive festival, it is the most important annual event of its kind in the world. FIFA has become a focal point for artists and artisans from the art and film communities, and for art and cinema enthusiasts.

Music festivals

Festival de Jazz de Montraal - Festival International de Jazz de Montraal

• Montreal International Jazz Festival - The world's largest jazz festival, this festival is a major international event, attracting many big name artists. Many streets in downtown Montreal are closed off to traffic for two weeks and several concert stages are set up. There are many free outdoor shows and indoor concerts (paid). Late June - early July. In 2019 and the festival will be 27 June through 6 July.

• POP Montraal International Music Festival - ☎ +1 514-842-1919 A massive feast of up-and-coming bands in a variety of popular genres. In early fall, host to more than 80 events, more than 300 artists, a conference, and an arts fair. POP Montreal showcases emerging and innovative artists alongside rising international stars and is committed to encouraging vibrant indie communities.

• Francofolies - Les FrancoFolies de Montraal A festival celebrating French music. Similarly to the jazz festival, many free outdoor concerts are offered in a section of downtown that is closed off to traffic for a week. 14 to 22 June 2019

• MUTEK - An annual gathering, held in Montreal, during the first week of June. The MUTEK festival showcases emerging forms of electronic music and the latest trends in sound creation.

• Heavy Montraal - A two-day heavy music festival taking place in Montreal/Parc Jean-Drapeau|Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène.

• Osheaga Music and Arts Festival - Osheaga Festival A three-day indie & alternative rock festival held annually in Montreal/Parc Jean-Drapeau|Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène. The 2019 edition will be 2-4 August.

Film festivals

• World Film Festival - Montreal World Film Festival The festival is open to all cinema trends. The eclectic aspect of its programming makes the Festival exciting for the growing number of participants from the five continents. Every year, films from more than 70 countries, including well-known and first-time filmmakers, are selected. There are usually free outdoor projections every night. Late August to early September.

• Fantasia - Asian and fantasy - July.

• Festival du nouveau cinéma de Montraal - new filmmakers, well-known auteurs, new media - Festival du nouveau cinéma October.

• Cinémania - French cinema with English subtitles - Cinemania (film festival) November.

• Les Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montraal - documentaries - Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montraal November.

• Les Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois - Quebec cinema - Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois February.

Sports to watch

• Canadiens, Ice hockey, Canada's national winter sport: Bell Centre (Centre Bell), 1260 Rue De La Gauchetière (metro Lucien-L'Allier or Bonaventure), . One of the greatest institutions in Quebec culture. If you want to see a game, it helps to know someone with tickets, as they generally sell out within minutes of going on sale. They are widely available through unofficial channels and scalpers, but be prepared to shell out as they don't come cheap! You can also get cheaper tickets if you're a resident of the HI youth hostel. You can also stay in front of the hostel and ask a resident to buy a ticket for you if you aren't staying at the hostel!
• Alouettes, Football (Canadian Football League), Percival Molson Stadium (Stade Percival-Molson), avenue des Pins at University (playoffs: Olympic Stadium), . A dominant team in recent regular seasons and the Als have won the Grey Cup three times since being reborn in 1996, including back-to-back in 2009 and 2010. Molson Stadium is an excellent place to see a game, but tickets can be hard to come by. Before the stadium was expanded in 2009 and the Als had sold out all of their home games for more than a decade, and even after the expansion sellouts are still common.
• Impact, Association football (soccer), Saputo Stadium (Stade Saputo) at 4750 Sherbrooke street East and Viau in the Olympic Park (metro Viau), . One of the newer teams in Major League Soccer, and the league's third team in Canada, joined MLS in 2012. The previous version of the Impact was a consistent contender in several different leagues (including three in the last three seasons before the team joined MLS) at the U.S./Canada second level. The Impact occasionally use nearby Olympic Stadium for matches that are expected to draw unusually large crowds.
• Tennis — Montreal hosts an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event (men) every odd-numbered year. In even-numbered years, Montreal hosts a WTA Premier 5 event (women). The tournaments are held at IGA Stadium (Stade IGA) in Parc Jarry in the North End. The main stadium is of special historic interest to baseball fans—part of its seating is the former backstop grandstand of the stadium that hosted the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals) before they moved to Olympic Stadium.
• Formula 1 Grand Prix — Circuit Gilles Villeneuve hosts the Canadian Grand Prix weekend every year, with pre-race training and qualifying on Friday and Saturday and the race on Sunday. The event gathers about 100,000 spectators and is considered a motor racing classic.

Study in Montreal

Language classes

Montreal is a popular destination for language-immersion programs in French and English. Many schools arrange accommodations — either in dorms or with a family and provide cultural programs with trips around the city and beyond. Prices are usually higher for non-Québécois and higher-still for non-Canadians. Most are in Downtown and the Old City. Intensive, non-resident programs are also offered by the YMCA and Quebec government.

Muslim Friendly Universities in Montreal

Montreal is home to one of Canada's oldest and most prestigious universities, McGill University. McGill is consistently ranked as one of the top 20 universities in the world, but not each faculty. It is a university with a huge endowment fund. Concordia University is the city's other English-language university and the largest east of Toronto, and has over 40,000 students. Though Concordia lacks a medical school and law school, it still has a world class business school and their arts and sciences programs are top tier. Its student population is generally more multicultural than McGill's and the school's origins in and continuing emphasis on adult education make it popular for mature students, since it holds many graduate-level courses at night. Both universities are research focused.

The Université du Québec à Montreal (UQAM) and the Université de Montraal cater mainly to Francophone students. The Université de Montraal is the second largest French-language university in the world, after the Sorbonne in Paris and is one of the largest research institutions in Canada. The Université de Montraal has two affiliated schools, Polytechnique Montraal (engineering), and HEC Montraal (business school) that offer undergraduate and graduate studies.

Université Laval and Université de Sherbrooke also have campuses in the Montreal area.

Every university, with the exception of Laval, lends its name to a metro stop to indicate the university's approximate location. For example and the Guy-Concordia subway station, at the intersection of Rue Guy and boulevard de la Maisonneuve ouest, is no more than two minutes away from its namesake university (Concordia).

How to work legally in Montreal

As Montreal is in the province of Quebec, which has its own immigration policies, those wishing to work in Montreal will have to go through two processes, once with the Quebec government and then finally with the Canadian government. If you are employed with a foreign company which has a Montreal office, you can seek a transfer. You can also seek a job with a Montreal employer and they can sponsor you for a temporary work visa. If you are a skilled worker (see CIC website) you can immigrate based on your own skills.

French language ability is a requirement for most jobs, as businesses are required by provincial law to greet and serve clients in French. Jobs that do not require prior French language ability are mostly IT jobs, and academic jobs at Montreal's two Anglophone universities. The Quebec provincial government provides free French language courses for newly-arrived expatriates and immigrants who speak little to no French, and you are highly advised to sign up for one of these courses as soon as you arrive to aid your integration into society.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) allows skilled U.S. and Mexican professionals to obtain a Canadian work visa provided they are qualified in certain professions. The American Consular Services website provides an up-to-date list of qualifying professions.

If you are a U.S. citizen aged 18–30 and a full-time student, you can obtain a Canadian work visa valid for six months through BUNAC]. Students from France, Britain, New Zealand, and Australia can also benefit from BUNAC work programs. As well, if you obtain a degree from a Canadian university, you are eligible to remain in Montreal and work for up to one year.

For anyone else and the Immigration Canada (CIC) website explains a number of ways foreigners can legally work in Canada.

Student jobs include babysitting, painting during the summer, and moving furniture in June. McGill and Montreal universities are always in search of research subjects and so are Montreal's many biotech firms. Montreal also has many call centres, which constantly seek to hire new employees and offer flexible working hours.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Montreal

Montreal DelicesdelErable - |Maple syrup in Old Montreal.

Although Montreal's economy has been booming and the city remains remarkably affordable compared to other major cities in Canada and the United States. Shopping in Montreal ranges from eclectic budget stores to high-end fashion, with a wide spectrum in between.

General

Rue Ste-Catherine, between Rue Guy and boulevard St-Laurent, has many of the big department and chain stores as well as a few major malls. Avenue Mont-Royal has funky consignment and gothic clothing stores from boulevard St-Laurent to Rue Saint-Denis and a mixed bag of neighbourhood stores, used record shops, and gentrified boutiques heading east towards avenue Papineau. Rue St-Viateur is one of the city's most interesting streets, with its amazingly varied range of businesses crammed into the short stretch between Boulevard St-Laurent and Avenue du Parc.

St-Laurent remains one of the city's prime shopping streets, more or less along its whole length. Just about anything can be found there, with different blocks having different clusters of businesses (Asian groceries and housewares near de La Gauchetière, affordable electronics a little farther up, hip boutiques between Prince-Arthur and Mount Royal, anything and everything Italian between Saint-Zotique and Jean-Talon). Rue Sherbrooke ouest, west of the Autoroute Décarie, has an increasingly interesting concentration of largely food-oriented businesses. Jean-Talon market, locat near the intersection of Jean-Talon and St-Laurent, has a wide variety of local produce and food products (maple syrup, Cheese, etc.) at very good prices.

For electronic stuff and the largest chain store is BestBuy. You can also find many smaller ones on Boulevard St-Laurent (between Ontario and Sherbrooke).

• Village des Valeurs - 2033 Pie IX Métro Pie IX - They have shops inside and outside of Montreal

• Le coffre aux trésors "Chainon" - 4375 Boulevard Street Laurent Métro Sherbrooke

• L'Aubainerie Concept Mode - 1490, av du Mont-Royal E metro mont royal

• Friperie St. Laurent Friperie St. Laurent ☎ +1 514-842-3893

• Some military equipment shops around St-Laurent and Ste-Catherine.

For trekking and outdoor, you also have many options

• MEC - 8989, boulevard de l'Acadie ☎ +1 514-788-5878 Mountain Equipment Co-op is a co-operative with staff who know the stores merchandise well.

• Altitude Sports - 4140 Saint-Denis St. Métro Mont-Royal

• La cordée - Rue Ste-Catherine
• Kanuk - 485 Rachel Street E

Trendier boutiques can be found on Rue Saint-Denis, north of Rue Sherbrooke and south of avenue Mont-Royal est, and on Rue Saint-Laurent (continuing as far north as Bernard). The latter is becoming more upscale, so the range of shopping is highly variable and lower in density as one goes north of Mont-Royal. Rue Sherbrooke has a number of high-end stores (notably Holt Renfrew) and commercial art galleries in a short strip running roughly from McGill University west to Rue Guy. Farther west, Sherbrooke intersects with Greene Avenue in Westmount, which has a short, but luxurious retail strip. Avenue Laurier, between St-Laurent and its western end, is one of the city's prime spots for eating and shopping in high style, though there are still a few affordable spots here and there.

Furniture and antiques

On boul. St-Laurent, a cluster of high-end home furnishing stores. It starts roughly at the junction of Rue Marie-Anne and is very prominent in the block between Rue Marie-Anne and avenue Mont-Royal, with sparser, but still interesting stores as far north as Rue Saint Viateur. Antique buffs will find interesting stores all over the city, but they'll want to make a special pilgrimage to Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, when you head east from avenue Atwater.

Halal Restaurants in Montreal

Sign WingsNouilles - |Wing's Chinese Noodles, Chinatown

Montreal is a culinary delight for Halal food and has a huge variety of Muslim food options, from diners and fast food to low-cost ethnic restaurants to haute cuisine. The city was ranked 2nd best dining city in North America after San Francisco and ahead of New York. The large local Muslim population has contributed local specialties including Arabic and Turkish Halal restaurant. Other specialties are "all-dressed" pizza (pepperoni, mushrooms and green peppers), pizza and spaghetti with Halal Meat from Muslim restaurants.

Ethnic restaurants

As Montreal has a very ethnically diverse population, it has various quality ethnic restaurants.

• Indian: The Indian community in Montreal is located around Parc metro station where many Indian restaurants can be found and some are Halal.
• Persian: An Iranian cafe-resto is Byblos cafe.

Montreal variants

Several local variants of foods are found in Montreal.

• The Shish Taouk, is the local styling of the Chicken shawarma and some seller offer Halal Shish Taouk.

Halal Restaurants in Montreal

Montreal claims to have the most restaurants per capita in North America.

Several Halal restaurants can be found within a few blocks of each other on Queen Mary road not far from the Snowdon Métro station in and boul Décarie near Villa-Maria-des-Neiges in Montreal/Côte-des-Neiges|Côte-des-Neiges. The other greatest concentration of Halal food in along Bernard in Montreal/Outremont|Outremont.

Montreal is vegetarian-friendly with several veggie and vegan restaurants and veggie options on most menus even in Halal restaurants.

Halal Restaurants & Markets in Montreal

• Marche Al Amana - 6260 Sherbrooke Rue West Montreal, QC H4B 1M2, ☎ (514) 488-8383
• Marché Noor - 1905, Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest Montreal, QC H3H 1M3, ☎ (514) 932-2099
• Marché Ferdous - 1451 Rue Sainte-Catherine O Montreal, QC H3G 1S6, ☎ (514) 664-5544

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Montreal

Montreal - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Montreal, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Montreal. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Montreal and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Montreal. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Montreal. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMontreal: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Montreal.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Montreal: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Montreal, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Montreal.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Montreal, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Montreal, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Montreal and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Montreal, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Montreal, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Montreal without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Montreal is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Montreal.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Montreal is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Montreal, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Montreal Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

For the budget traveller, Montreal offers youth hostels with dorms or superior Muslim friendly rooms and budget bed and breakfasts (sometimes with very skimpy breakfasts). The densest collection of hotels are in the Montreal/Quartier Latin-Le Village#Sleep|Latin Quarter, in the streets east of Berri-UQAM metro and the intercity bus station. Montreal/Old Montreal#Sleep|Old Montreal has a couple of quality hostels, but you'll pay more to be there. Montreal is also the city with the most hospitality exchange|Couch Surfing members, so it is easy to find a hospitable local host for a few nights.

Mid-range options include Montreal/Downtown|Downtown chain hotels to "gîtes", guest houses that range from a single room in an apartment to elegant historic homes with three to five rooms. Gîtes are usually found in the more residential neighbourhoods like the Montreal/Plateau|Plateau.

On the upper-end, four and five-star luxury and boutique hotels are mostly concentrated in Montreal/Old Montreal|Old Montreal and Montreal/Downtown|Downtown.

Montreal is home to four major universities and numerous smaller schools. Students routinely sublet apartments in the summer months.

Telecommunications in Montreal

Telephone

Montreal has four area codes: the long-standing 514 and the newer 438, 450 and 579 for surrounding, off-island areas. The area code must be used for all calls: even if it's the same one you're calling from and even if calling next door. For example, calling a 514 number from within 514, use "514-123-4567". Dialling the same number long-distance would be 1-514-123-4567.

Internet Cafe's in Montreal

Photocopy shops often have internet terminals available, as do many cafés and some bookstores. The Bell phone company has installed public internet terminals (cash or credit cards) in McGill and Berri-UQAM metro stations.

There are also long-standing cyber/internet cafés (minus the café part) such as Battelnet 24 at many locations in Montreal including one at mezzanine level in the Rue Guy entrance of Guy-Concordia metro.

Of course, free internet access is the best kind of internet. The organization Île Sans Fil provides free wireless internet in cafés and other locations throughout the city. Look for the sticker outside participating venues. The Eaton Centre downtown offers free wireless access in the food court.

Also and the Grande Bibliothèque (Great Library) has many free Internet terminals: you can get a library card (free to Québec residents with proof of address) to use it there.

Mail

Red Canada Post mailboxes are found along most main streets. Post offices are often inside pharmacies: look for the Canada Post logo.

Stay Safe

For emergencies call 9-1-1.

Although Montreal is Canada's second largest city, it shares Canada's low violent crime rates making it relatively safe. However, property crimes, including vehicle theft, are remarkably high: make sure to lock your doors and keep your valuables with you. Take extra care if you want to visit Montraal-Nord or Saint-Michel. These neighbourhoods are the worst of the city and shootings are not unheard of in these areas. There is, however, little for tourists to do and they are unlikely to enter by accident.

Part of Montreal's Sainte-Catherine downtown corridor is arguably the grittiest part of the city, especially east of Place des Arts. There are homeless people panhandling during the summer and fall. Although most of them are polite and there are some that are more aggressive. Avoid individuals wandering on the streets that appear intoxicated. The street is at its most dangerous around 03:00 when closing clubs and bars empty their drunken crowds into the street. You may also come across occasional pockets of street prostitution, especially around strip clubs.

In Montreal, pickpockets are not very common, but keep an eye on things when watching street performances in the Old City or in other crowds.

If you are concerned about safety on the metro, use the first metro vehicle where the driver is. Emergency intercoms are on every metro car. Emergency phone booths are on every platform throughout the metro system, which is generally safe. While written instructions are in both English and French, most announcements (usually about delays) are in French only so if you think you heard something in the announcement that may affect you, just try asking a fellow passenger for a translation.

The STM offers a "between stops" (entre deux arrêts) service that allows women travelling alone at night to get off the bus between two regularly designated stops if the bus driver feels they can stop the bus safely.

Pedestrians and bike-riders should be especially careful. Crosswalks are rarely respected. Motorists have a general contempt for pedestrians, especially when they are trying to make a right turn at an intersection.

Wasps are a considerable menace during the height of summer. Consider carrying vinegar on your person in case of stings to help neutralize the sting. Otherwise, see below if you are allergic for the nearest hospital.

Weather

Montreal is often icy and cold in winter, be careful by dressing appropriately for the conditions and be mindful of ice or snow anytime you are driving or walking. Street clearing of snow is generally effective. Summers are warm to hot and can be quite humid. Being surrounded by rivers adds to this effect.

Hospital

The closest hospital to Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport is the Lakeshore General Hospital at 160 avenue Stillview in Pointe-Claire. (+1 514-630-2225)

The Montreal General Hospital is at 1650 avenue Cedar. (+1 514-934-1934)

The McGill University Hospital (Glen site) ( MUHC]) is at 1001 Decarie Boulevard (+1-514 934-1934).

If you do not have Quebec Health Insurance, be prepared to pay by credit card at the door as it does not accept traveller's insurance (but you will be reimbursed when you return home). (+1 514-630-2225)

Several hospitals offer service in French and English.

Cope in Montreal

Consulates in Montreal

Egypt - 1000 De La Gauchetiere Ouest ☎ +1 514 866-8455 +1 514 866-0835 Opening Hours: 09:00-15:30| price=

• Greece - 1170 Place du Frere Andre ☎ +1 514 875-2119 +1 514 875-8781

United States | @;Montreal-@ 1155 Rue Saint-Alexandre ☎ +1 514 398-9695 +1 514 398-0973

GoAbroad.com has a mostly comprehensive list of all consulates in Canada listed by country indicating which cities have a consulate. The consulate's contact information, address, phone, fax e-mail and web page, is included.

Newspapers

The Gazette is the city's English-language daily.

If you have some French, hit the voir.ca website for good restaurant reviews and an overview of what is happening.

Local Customs in Montreal

As in the rest of Quebec, language politics and Quebec sovereignty are contentious issues in Montreal. Don't make the assumption that all French Canadians are in favour of Quebec's separation from Canada as many (especially in bilingual Montreal) are against it. If you really want to discuss those topics with local residents, be sure you are well-informed. It is still safer to avoid the subject, as it is still a very emotional issue. Use common sense and be respectful.

The main language in Montreal, as in the rest of Quebec, is French. Making an attempt to use the language is a great way to show respect for local residents, whether or not they can speak English, even if you can manage only a few words with a very strong accent. However, Montreal is considered to be one of the world's most bilingual cities with many residents whose primary language is English, and you will often hear local residents code switching between French and English when having a conversation. In case of doubt, you may want to open with a warm "Bonjour!" (Good day) and see what language is used in response. Most likely you will be answered in English, if your French accent does not sound local. Try not to be offended if you are trying to speak French and local residents respond to you in English. Since most Montrealers speak both French and English and they are simply trying to make things easier for you.

Many people working in the tourist and service industries are completely bilingual without accents. But don't make jokes about French people (especially since Francophones in Montreal are mostly Québécois with a few Acadiens and Franco-Ontariens, all of whom consider themselves different from the French from France and from one another). Also, do not assume that all Québécois are Francophones. Montreal has a significant English-speaking community with a long history in Quebec and many immigrants whose first language is neither English nor French ("Allophones").

See also Quebec#Talk, Quebec#Respect and the French phrasebook.

Travel Next

Montreal makes an excellent entryway for visiting other cities and destinations in Quebec and the northern United States. You will have to pass the border control if you go to the US, and arm yourself with the appropriate visas and papers. Add at least one extra hour for the border control. The Adirondacks are a 2½-hour drive to the south. These mountains make up the largest park in the contiguous US and offer outdoor activities like hiking, rafting and skiing.

• Boston is a 5-hour drive to the southeast.
• Mont Tremblant lies less than two hours north in the Laurentides.
• The Eastern Townships are two to three hours straight east.
• The Laurentians and in the Eastern Townships between December and March offer good downhill skiing. There are some very good night-skiing centres such as Ski Bromont and Mont-St-Sauveur.
• The Monteregie townships, a short trip east of Montreal.
• New York City is a 6½-hour drive directly south.
• Ottawa is two hours west by car.
• Quebec City, about 3 hours to the north east on Highway 40, is almost but not quite a day trip. You'll want to stay over, anyway.
• Tadoussac, about 6 hours away by car, has great whale-watching
• Toronto is more distant, but still a doable 6-hour drive (or a faster 4½-hour train trip).

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