We visit Montreal for a month and we are bringing you 5 things you need to do when visiting!
First to say for those who doesn't know, Montreal is Canada’s second largest city and it's the metropolis of the Quebec province.
It is a major industrial center, commercial and financial metropolis, railway and maritime bridgehead, and one of the centers of francophone culture in North America. It is one of the world's great cities and enjoys international acclaim.
The city is placed on Island of Montreal at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers.
In the heart of Montreal it's placed Mount Royal, a large volcanic-related hill by which he was named. Huge green-space was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, designer behind New York's Central Park. So for sure Mount Royal is on top of every recommendation list especially because of view on city Montreal. But there is something much better...
Gabled kiosks designed by local firm Atelier Urban Face
This trio is situated to Beaver Lake on Mount Royal and each has a different purpose and leans at a different angle. Concept is obviously Wind but experiencing that wind in summer time makes that concept actually respectful. One kiosk host field trips, one is for tools and equipment for park services & a first-aid station and one is ticket office with storage space for equipment for skating ring in winter time when lake is frozen.
Place des Arts
Featuring an impressive program of music, theater, dance, opera, song, comedy, and musicals all year round, Place des Arts is amazing meeting point located in the cultural heart of the city. That placement and amount of cultural happenings that you can enjoy it clearly show why Montreal was referred as "Canada's Cultural Capital" by Monocle Magazine.
This Summer as a part of the Festival TransAmériques we were enjoying show called Innervision by Martin Messier. Sixty people was moving as one & Messier as choreograph dirigent, quite literally, transmitting instructions to dancer, telling them how to move theirs limbs, heads and bodies at different moments.
Fine Art Museum
Placed at cultural heart of the city it offer rich encyclopedic collection, distributed among five pavilions, includes international art, world cultures, decorative arts & design, and Quebec & Canadian art. The Museum also houses the Michel de la Chenelière International Atelier for Education and Art Therapy, the largest educational complex in a North American art museum.
Our favorite part of a show is 20ct art and we are bringing you some sneak peeks on Picasso's, Worhol's, Calder's, Basquiat's & Arp's artwork. You can find there and enjoy in many others grates artists world famous art.
Bagels & Poutine
In case you haven't heard, Montreal is gaga over food. The city oozes restaurants, unique culinary traditions, and foodies spoiled by an enviable selection of local produce. In recent years, TV chefs Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver both chose Montreal to anchor their first Canadian restaurant ventures.
Despite its unusual combination of fries, gravy, and cheese, poutine is recognized as being among the most iconic Québécois dishes. Its much more then fries, it's delicious. There are numerous chains that serve up this local fast food classic. La Banquise in the Plateau is among the most popular hot spot in the city. Since 1968, this snack bar has been serving over 30 kinds of poutine 24 hours a day.
Fairmont Bagels & St. Viateur bagels are the most popular and well known bagels. They have a worldwide reputation and everyone suggest their hot fresh out of the wood oven sesame bagel. But their is something better. You should try rosemary sea salt bagels at St. Viateur. OMG they are so good!
Montreal Fashion
Montreal is a city of style. Streets are packed with unique boutiques and creative neighborhoods full of independent ateliers. From cutting edge fashions to old school haute couture, Montreal's fashion industry is not only alive and well but aiming sky high. In 2006, Montreal was named as UNESCO City of Design. 48% of all Canadian production in the fashion industry are in Quebec and you can really notice fashion lifestyle on the streets of city.
We are bringing you our favorite brands from Montreal so check them out: Rudsak, Mackage, Elisa C-Rossow, ELAMA, M0851, Mercy House, Louve Montreal, Philo.
As a North American city, being at the confluence of the French and the English traditions, Montreal has developed a unique and distinguished cultural face in the world so you should definitely put it on your "must see" list because there is so much much more to say about that city!