Montréal

Witness a French-infused city that's in love with festivals, the arts, good food, living well and enjoying life to the hilt.

Cuisine Capital

Blessed with one of the most exciting food scenes in North America, Montréal brims with temples dedicated to Kamouraska lamb, Arctic char and, of course, poutine (fries smothered in cheese curds and gravy). You’ll find irresistible patisseries, English pubs, 80-plus-year-old Jewish delis and magnificent food markets reminiscent of Paris. There are hipster bars with tiny bowling alleys, vegetarian options galore and innumerable cafes in which to while away a lazy afternoon. And there are late-night eateries where you can linger over wondrous combinations of food and drink that you'll find nowhere else on earth.

Festivals Galore

Toronto may be Canada’s economic capital, but Montréal remains the country’s cultural juggernaut. The city, standard bearer of an entire linguistic-cultural identity – francophone Canada – simply lives for public celebration of the arts. There are some 250 theater and dance companies, more than 90 festivals and a fascinating medley of neighborhoods where artists, writers and musicians have helped cement the city’s reputation as a great arts center. The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is the headline event, followed by parties dedicated to world cinema, comedy and gay pride.

City of Design

Montréal is a slice of old Europe in a pie of contemporary design. A day’s wander might take in the photogenic 18th-century facades of Old Montréal before a cycling tour of the lovely Canal de Lachine, or a wander through the glittering shops and restaurants of downtown before ending at the inviting terraced cafes of Plateau Mont-Royal. The architectural sweep of the city takes in a wealth of heritage churches such as the breathtaking Basilique Notre-Dame, as well as 20th-century icons like the Stade Olympique and Habitat 67. Montréal's hotels and museums additionally push the edges of contemporary interior design.

Winter Wonderland

The Québécois love their summers and autumnal colors, but it is the winter that defines much of their lives, which slow down and become more insular in the grip of those long, dark months. With that said, the passion for life that animates Canadian francophones does not truly dim in the cold, but is rather celebrated around cozy fireplaces, in friendly pubs, at steaming sugar shacks, and, of course, on the slopes of local mountains via skis, snowboards and toboggans.

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Montréal.

  • Museum

    Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal

    Montréal’s Museum of Fine Arts is an accessible and beautifully updated oasis of art housed in architecturally striking buildings. A visit here is a must…

  • Historic Site

    Place d'Armes

    This open square is framed by some of the finest buildings in Old Montréal, including its oldest bank, first skyscraper and Basilique Notre-Dame. The…

  • Church

    Oratoire St-Joseph

    The stunning Oratoire St-Joseph church built on the flanks of Mont-Royal commands grand views of the the Côte-des-Neiges area and northwest Montréal. The…

  • Park

    Old Port

    Montréal's Old Port has morphed into a park and fun zone paralleling the mighty St Lawrence River for 2.5km and punctuated by four grand quais (quays)…

  • Church

    Basilique Notre-Dame

    Montréal's famous landmark, Notre Dame Basilica, is a 19th-century Gothic Revival masterpiece with spectacular craftsmanship – a visually pleasing, if…

  • Canal

    Canal de Lachine

    A perfect marriage of urban infrastructure and green civic planning: a 14km-long cycling and pedestrian pathway, with picnic areas and outdoor spaces…

  • Arts Center

    Place des Arts

    Montréal’s performing-arts center is the nexus for artistic and cultural events. Several renowned musical companies call Place des Arts home, including…

  • Park

    Parc du Mont-Royal

    The charming, leafy expanse of Parc du Mont-Royal is charged for a wide range of outdoor activities. The wooded slopes and grassy meadows have stunning…

  • Market

    Marché Jean-Talon

    The pride of Little Italy, this huge covered market is Montréal’s most diverse. Many chefs buy ingredients for their menus here or in the specialty food…

  • Park

    Parc La Fontaine

    At 34 hectares, this great verdant municipal park is the city’s third largest, after Parc du Mont-Royal and Parc Maisonneuve. In the warmer months weary…

  • Market

    Marché Atwater

    Just off the Canal de Lachine, this fantastic market has a mouthwatering assortment of fresh produce from local farms (some promoting sustainability),…

  • Museum

    Musée McCord

    With hardly an inch to spare in its cramped but welcoming galleries, the McCord Museum of Canadian History houses thousands of artifacts and documents…

  • Area

    Rue St-Denis

    The backbone of Montréal’s francophone shopping district, Rue St-Denis is lined with hat and garment shops, uberhip record stores and terrace cafes…

  • Gardens

    Jardin Botanique

    Montréal’s Jardin Botanique is the third-largest botanical garden in the world, after London’s Kew Gardens and Berlin’s Botanischer Garten. Since its 1931…

  • Museum

    Biodôme

    At this captivating exhibit you can amble through a rainforest, explore Antarctic islands, view rolling woodlands, take in aquatic life in the Gulf of St…

  • Museum

    Centre Canadien d'Architecture

    A must for architecture fans, this center is equal parts museum and research institute. The building incorporates Shaughnessy House, a 19th-century gray…

  • Church

    Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours

    Known as the Sailors’ Church, this enchanting chapel derives its name from the sailors who left behind votive lamps in the shapes of ships in thanksgiving…

  • Museum

    Maison St-Gabriel

    This magnificent farmhouse in Pointe St-Charles is one of the finest examples of traditional Québec architecture. The house was bought in 1668 by…

  • Street

    Boulevard St-Laurent

    A dividing line between the city’s east and west, Blvd St-Laurent (previously ‘the Main’) has always been a focus of action, a gathering place for people…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Montréal.

Provided byOttawa Tourism

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As Canada’s capital, Ottawa is the perfect place to experience some of the country’s best attractions, celebrations, and flavours all in one place! Visit iconic landmarks like Parliament Hill, tour the country’s national museums, and paddle, cruise, or skate your way down the Rideau Canal – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With beautiful waterways and an abundance of natural green space, choose your own adventure and walk, cycle, hike, raft or fly your way around the city. Get ready to live the ultimate Canadian experience in Ottawa.

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