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The many facets of Montreal

Montreal has multiple faces, every neighbourhood displays its own particularity. You will find out when you go for a stroll in Westmount, with its English-style homes, or the Plateau Mont Royal with its famous triplex building with their bold external staircases. And then there is Chinatown, with its arches and its pagodas and the old Montreal - declared historic district in 1964, stretching out over 1 km - with its horse-drawn carriages, its narrow cobbled streets, stone houses built between 1800 and 1850, in a sober neoclassic style. Its urban rich and eclectic landscape reflect the various waves of immigration and different cultures, displaying an undeniable charm. On your first day you should take a stroll in these quarters, smell the air of the city, look around and discover the Bohemian and mixed architecture result of the different ethnic communities that inhabit the city. Montreal is a stunning city, offering a multitude of sports activities: cross-country skiing, an ice rink. Incredible!


Stay at the InterContinental: a new spirit reigns.

For lunch, go to Schwartz's, an absolute must, symbol of this multi cultural environment and try the delicious "smoked meat". After a day of activity it’s time to return to the InterContinental Hotel. Ideally located between Saint-Jacques Street and Saint-Antoine Street, just a stone's throw from old Montreal, this hotel displays, after its intensive renovation program, a much more contemporary style. A good idea to create an Absinthe Bar, unique in Montreal, the Sarah B., in tribute to Sarah Bernhardt, who stayed in the hotel with its alcoves creating intimate corners. The tapas, that can be enjoyed in the evening, between 5 pm and 9 pm are delicious, accompanied by a glass of wine. For the hungry, the restaurant l’Osco, directed by chef Mathieu from Martigue, pays tribute to the French Provence, displaying an intimate brasserie style with its small rooms and niches. This is a new departure for the InterContinental Montreal and it is a success.

The InterContinental, situated rue St Antoine West
360 rue Saint Antoine West
T °: 0033 1 (514)
987 9900
www.Montreal.intercontinental.com
Price: starting at 179 $ /for 2 pers



Museums and the old Harbour docks

Spend your second day visiting museums. A highlight is the Pointe-à-Callière museum, exposing the vestiges reflecting the origins of Montreal with interesting multimedia about the town’s history. A great place to visit with your children, very didactic, it reconstitutes the history of Quebec, first French city of Canada.
The old harbour docks which were at the time the official entrance to Canada are great to take a stroll along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. You will get to a market which is full of shops of Canadian creators. Continue along the docks and join St-François Street. After Saint - François Street, arises a stack of coloured glass, this is the Palais des Congrès, the Canadian Beaubourg – the work of the architects Tétreault, Parent, Languedoc et associés – built in 2003.


Saint Viateur Bagel or M: brgr

If you want a quick lunch on the go but eating well at the same time and your kids love hamburgers, (who doesn't like it?) don’t hestitate go to M: brgr. Located in the Mille Carrés Dorés area. It proposes original burgers, with wholemeal bread and organic beef, accompanied by a composition of your choice (grilled oyster mushrooms, goat cheese, caramelises onions…) Original and tasty! Another option is the Saint Viateur Bagel, here you have the large choice of bagels flavoured with poppy seeds, sesame or linseed and you can choose your accompaniment. A must in Montreal, located on the plateau.



Biodome, Insectarium, or Science Centre, the choice is yours!

For the afternoon you can choose between the Biodome, which comprises a multitude of plants and animals presented in their natural environments. Or maybe you opt for a visit to the Insectarium, located on Sherbrooke Street and you will become aware of the vital role insects play in our world. And there is the Science Centre, opened in 2000, interesting for the whole family. There are a multitude of thematic exhibits and an Imax cinema with a seven-storey building high screen. At the end of the day, head to the ice rink or the maze at Hangar 16 in the docks of the old Port of Montreal, a true labyrinth of corridors with plenty of obstacles, mysteries and riddles. For sure you will you lose your inner compass. Check for opening times because the Hangar is not open all year-round.



Trip outside of Montreal

The third and fourth day, you will leave Montreal and spend a night in an outfitter. There are several in the outskirts of Montreal. I recommend the Sacacomie, a two hours drive from the city, on the edge of a lake in the middle of a forest. Here you will be able to reconnect with the authenticity and nature. Your children will love a sled dog trip or a snowshoe hike in the woods and, for the more experienced, a snow bike ride. Change of scenery guaranteed. The return to urban life is not going to be easy ...

Photo:
© Parks Canada (p. - É.) (Cadorette) 2007
© Tourisme Montréal, Stéphan Poulin
© The CTC, Pierre St-Jacques
© Quays of the old Port of Montreal