MONTREAL - CITY OF FESTIVALS

Montreal is Canada's second-largest city, behind only Toronto. But with a mostly peaceful blend of French and English history and culture, Montreal is unique in Canada as well as North America. 

Located in southwestern Quebec, Montreal is actually on an island in the St. Lawrence River. Access from the south is by one of three bridges while traffic from the east and west arrives via a number of different highway systems. Surrounded by water, with a wide variety of architecture from the past and the present, Montreal is a very attractive and fun city. 

Montreal was officially founded in 1642, although the history of the area dates back to before its discovery by Jacques Cartier in 1535. Over 300 years later, the city has retained its history admirably well, with centuries-old buildings rising from cobblestone streets. 

Old Montreal

For most tourists, the main problem in Montreal might be the language. All public signs are in French only, a law that was effected by a separatist political party who sadly never realized that the French culture is strong enough to survive without such rules. A quick brush-up on the directions and other key words and phrases would be beneficial for those driving, but otherwise, most people here speak both English and French and are happy to serve you in either language.

Easy to understand

The two cultures of Montreal are not as apparent as they once were. Due to the rather restrictive nature of some language laws, many English speakers left the city. French is now the dominant language by far, but remnants of English culture are apparent in the architecture of many buildings.

Montreal is a sports town with 3 pro sports, but only one true love, the Montreal Canadiens. This historic hockey team has captured more championships than I care to count, and the fans reward them with loyalty, although this loyalty is being tested in the face of several consecutive lean years. The CFL fields the Alouettes, while the Expos take up the rear, in an embarrassing situation.

Our impressions: Montreal is reasonably easy to drive in, if you have a rudimentary understanding of French and a good map. Streets can be narrow, and other drivers impatient, but these are minor issues. Parking downtown can be found on the street, but parking garages are not that expensive, when compared to American cities. The subway system is also very good, with fast and efficient trains that will take you to most key spots. You can purchase 3 day passes for $14, which pays off after you take 7 rides, as 1 ride costs $2. 

The walking tour of Old Montreal is highly recommended. Few cities have preserved their old towns so completely. Old buildings that have not changed for decades house new cafes and restaurants in a uniquely Montreal atmosphere. 

Old church

People here are friendly and the city has an energy about it - a joie de vivre that most other places lack. The population seems to enjoy living, as evidenced by the high quality of restaurants that we experienced. One great thing about eating in Montreal - many restaurants allow you to bring in a bottle of wine for your meal - try doing that somewhere else. 

Overall, Montreal is still a great city, although some of its luster has been lost due to the continuous conflicts between French and English. The downtown area is still vibrant throughout the day, but the eastern suburbs are not the best place to visit. Nonetheless, for a different experience, head north of the border to visit this city - you can enjoy yourself just as much without the baseball!