Montréal
is truly an experience with its old world charm, an unmistakably French
vibe and a modern style of its own. The population of the Island city
is nearly 2 million and it's ranked the 15th largest city in North
America.
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Although Old Montréal's charms are best discovered on foot, a
ride in a horse-drawn carriage or 'caleche' will take you right
back to the hustle and bustle of times gone by.
The old town has come along way since French settlers founded
the city back in 1642.
"For the longest time this neighborhood was quite dead for locals.
They didn't come, they didn't have any reason to come here. But,
now what has been done is they've recreated a neighborhood and there's
a whole suite of amazing restaurants and boutiques and places were
locals from other neighborhoods come, they come here to visit this
neighborhood. So, it's been reborn in a sense," said Adam Gollner,
local writer.
Old Montreal is full of charm -- from the cobblestone streets
to the beautiful 19th century architecture. Notre-Dame Basilica
is a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture.
Nestled between Mount Royal and the St. Lawrence River, Montréal's
compact downtown is where Montrealers live, work and play. Downtown
Montreal is a mix of new and old -- with centuries-old buildings
and modern skyscrapers standing side by side.
The Latin Quarter is proudly French and is where important cultural
and style trends emerge. It's a great place to soak up the ambiance
at the trendy bistros and bars along Saint-Denis Street.
The International Quarter is an exceptional new urban space. The
Palais du Congres -- or convention center, just opened a few years
ago. Its immense colored glass wall welcomes hundreds of thousands
of visitors each year. And just inside is a public art display known
as the Lipstick Forest.
"It has become a landmark for Montreal and in a way it is so much
more used my Montrealers that is used to be when there was nothing
of course. So people are now going to downtown Montreal. There are
restaurants also a lot of construction around for condominiums so
it's going to be much it used to be only a tourist or business place
and I think within five or ten years it is sort of becoming a place
for Montrealers to live in," said Sylvie Berkowicz, journalist.
In addition to the Convention Centre, this plaza is well worth
a visit for its remarkable fountain-sculpture that features a ring
of fire.
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