MONTREAL, THE MAGIC ISLAND

Montreal is one-of-a-kind, a multicultural city that blends its French accent with that of over 80 other ethnic communities

CANADA - QUEBEC

Montreal: The magic island in the middle of the St. Laurent River

Known as one of the world’s friendliest and liveliest cities, Montreal is recognized for its cosmopolitan side and its openness. Just bring your freedom and your feet! You don’t need anything else to enjoy it!

Montreal has everything a big city can offer. Walking, biking or by public transport you can discover the entire city. But Montreal is also one-of-a-kind, a multicultural city that blends its French accent with that of over 80 other ethnic communities. Visitors are charmed by its Euro-American atmosphere. Montreal is invigorating, offering a whirlwind of cultural creations, both traditional and modern. It’s like a blend between Paris and New York; both romantic and traditional as well as cutting-edge and innovative. It is as cosmopolitan and dynamic as it is small-town friendly. It is a complex mix of contrasts that completely defies comparison. Sure, Montreal’s renowned duality of Old World charm infused with North American energy lies at its very heart; however, it is the plurality of cultures that really makes this metropolis tick. It doesn’t matter where you go on the island; every neighborhood is different and special. Yet despite this diversity, an underlying homogeneity exists in this vibrant population who collectively and confidently “live and let live”—and do it well. Its downtown bustles with life at the foot of its mountain, while history is rooted in the old quarters near the river. All summer Montreal beats to the rhythm of its festivals: jazz,comedy, cinema, fireworks and more!

Stroll through its colourful streets and typical neighbourhoods representative of a mosaic of nations, take a ride along one of its many bicycle paths (over 660 km / 400 mi. in the region), and party all night long, jumping from bar to bar... Montreal? Oui, s'il vous plaît!

Riding along in a horse-drawn carriage around the XVIIIth- and XIXth-century residences of Old

Montreal, you will discover the imposing neo-gothic Notre-Dame Basilica, as well as museums that recount the past, such as the Pointe-à-Callière museum and the Centre d'histoire de Montréal. The Old Port invites you to relax all year round. Among its attractions, you will find the Montréal Science Centre, a vast complex dedicated to scientific culture that also includes an IMAX theatre. The Old Port is also the starting point for exciting boat trips along the turbulent Lachine Rapids, at the western end of the island. Downtown abounds with department stores, boutiques and cinemas, not to mention major museums, such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée d'art contemporain, the McCord Museum of Canadian History and the Canadian Centre for Architecture. Île Notre-Dame and Île Sainte-Hélène are synonymous with vacationing fun. At Parc Jean-Drapeau, you'll have a ball at Québec's largest amusement park, La Ronde, and at the beach. In the east end of the city, in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, you will find irresistible attractions, such as the Olympic Park, host to the 1976 Olympic Games, which boasts the tallest inclined tower in the world. On the same site, you can also visit the Biodôme, a magical place that is home to four ecosystems. Nearby, the Montréal Botanical Garden, one of the world's largest, introduces you to a host of horticultural universes, including a Chinese garden and a Japanese garden, and at the Insectarium you can observe up close insects from around the world.

Montreal's Underground City

Montreal offers shoppers a sweet deal with its underground city. A 30-km network of shopping malls and corridors connects major stores, restaurants, hotels, museums, cinemas and theatres and provides access to the subway train (called Metro in Montreal) and bus stations. It is considered the largest underground complex in the world. There is always a subway station close by and each is filled with an abundance of public artwork by some of the biggest names in Quebec culture. The design and ornamentation of each metro station in the subway system is unique.

Montreal's Gay Village

A proud symbol of the city’s openness and joie de vivre, the Village is the neighborhood of choice for thousands of gay tourists who come here to experience the multitude of activities in relaxed and secure surroundings. An easy going vibe, a hot nightlife, and trendy bars and restaurants come together to create a paradise for those who like to see and be seen, just as they are. Even the Beaudry metro station in the heart of the village proudly wears the colours of the gay community. Active, vibrant and teeming with creativity, this community offers plenty of events the whole year round, especially in summer. Friends, couples, and families come to taste the many flavors of the world in its many restaurants, to visit Amherst street’s antique shops, or just to admire the neighborhood Art Deco buildings. The Village covers approximately a distance of nearly two kilometres, making it the largest in North America in terms of scope of the complete area.

Picnik electronique

Each summer, beginning mid-May, everybody’s favorite picnic party unpacks a great line-up of

electronic music over at Parc Jean-Drapeau, located just 15 minutes from downtown by subway. That’s right: every Sunday of every week until October, Montreal’s resident dj’s and invited guests from around the globe set up their turn-tables and get down to the business of grooving. The goal is to share the incredible spectrum of electronic sounds with all the happy picnickers.

And ... less than 3 hours from Montreal: The City of Quebec

As you explore the winding side streets of Quebec City, by foot or by horse-drawn carriage, the romance of the city will enrapture you. Quebec offers both the excitement of big city living and all the exhilaration of nature, just a few minutes from downtown. Green, clean and safe, Quebec City is an important research center, a cultural hot spot and a home for many gays and lesbians. Quebec City is a landmark in North American history. It is the only walled city in North America, the first urban centre to be proclaimed as a world heritage site by Unesco, and it is also the provincial capital. Even though this capital city is steeped in history, the activities are truly up to date: world class summer festivals, theatre, restaurants, clubs, bars and shopping centers are a treat that you have to discover in this luxurious city.

CHECK OUT

STREETS

Amherst Street: Full of beautiful Art Deco buildings, Antique shops and trendy restaurants. It is

the main strip of The Village.

Bernard Street: In the Mount Royal Neighborhood this is a very French-European street. In a

relaxing atmosphere, culinary treasures await discovery.

Mount Royal Avenue: lined with original boutiques, restaurants and cafés, making a great place for exclusive and bargain shopping.

Crescent Street: A wonderful typical Victorian architecture adds a touch of elegance to the luxury shops that line this avenue. Famous for its specialty shops, art galleries and designer boutiques. Crescent shopping is the ideal mix of style and class.

Saint Catherine Street : It is Montreal’s main commercial artery and home to the city’s largest stores, such as the Bay, Simons, Birks and Ogilvy, as well as several shopping centres including Les Cours Mont-Royal, Place Montréal Trust, Eaton Centre, Complexe Les Ailes and Promenades Cathédrale.

St. Laurent Street: This street divides Montreal’s East (predominantly French) and West

(predominantly English). Full of restaurants, bars, and discos, it is also home to many ethnic

communities such as Jewish, Greek, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian.

St. Denis: This is a beautiful strip, with a classic French style and great cafes and bars.

MUST SEE

Chinatown: Its narrow streets are lined with shops selling exotic foods and traditional crafts. It is a very colorful area in the heart of Downtown.

Casino de Montréal: Visitors can expect great entertainment in the performance hall and

restaurants, and at the gaming tables.

Environment Canada's Biosphère: This environmental museum informs, educates and raises the

public’s awareness on major environmental issues.

The mountain: is the site of Mount Royal Park, one of Montreal's largest green spaces. It was

designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York's Central Park. It hosts

athletic, tourist, and cultural activities

Tam-tams: Every Sunday of the summer on Mount Royal, everyone gathers to let loose to the

tribal beat of the bohemian style.

PARTY

Unity: Gay dance-stravaganza is tops in Montréal party hierarchy.

Circus Afterhours: Three vibes, thrice the fun at this Gay Village afterhours for discerning night

owls.

Stereo Nightclub: Dance friends swear by the sound at Montréal’s twilight church of bass.

Complexe Sky Pub Club : Floor after floor of fun in a perpetual party atmosphere! A well

connected place for dancing, eating or simply to meet gays and lesbians in Montreal.

Parking Night Club: This disco located in the Gay Village has three different atmospheres to

satisfy diversified tastes.

The Drugstore: Massive Gay Village party complex spreads fun over seven floors, with two

terraces.

BARS

Cabaret Chez Mado: The owner, Mado Lamothe is Canada’s Godmother of drags.

Le Saloon: A great selection of drinks and and an accessible menu make this place a must in the Village.

SUMMER FESTIVALS

Divers cite: largest gay party in Canada

International Jazz Festival – One of the worlds largest Jazz festivals.

Just for Laughs Comedy Festival

Francofolies: French Music Festival

Montréal Formula 1 Grand Prix

International des Feux Loto-Québec: a fireworks competition that lights up the Montréal night

skies all summer long.

Montreal en Arts

LGBTA celebration

The red weekend

Black and Blue: Seriously big rave.