Old Montreal - Experience Romantic French Canadian Cultural Heritage

The image of Montreal Canada has long been aSt. Lawrence River, on a tip of land that is which
romantic one with couples making it a destination forFrench settlers called it Ville-Marie initially. The town
special romantic vacation getaways, or evenwas once owned by the British too. There is still
honeymoons. The history and culture of Quebec andplenty of Victorian architecture to see today. It was
the old city of Montreal seem a world apart for manyonce surrounded by walls almost 10,000 feet around.
visitors from Europe and the US. Tourists seeYou can still see remnants of the wall on a walking
pictures of cobblestone streets through quainttour of Old Montreal. Ask the concierge at your
villages with antique shops, trendy boutiques, FrenchMontreal hotel for information on walking tours or for
bistros, and they feel Montreal is the right vacationhorse drawn tours (Caleches). Many of the better
spot for them. From bed and breakfast to fineMontreal hotels will have discounts on tours and will
Montreal hotels, visitors can find accommodations tobe a primary pick up point for tour operators. There
the suit the experience they want. Whether for aare also culinary tours and wine tours if you want a
weekend or a weeklong Quebec holiday, Oldcloser experience with French food and wine.
Montreal is a must see want to experience a specialBooking a room with one of the many bed and
slice of Canadian culture.breakfast inns might just make your old Montreal
Today, Old Montreal is one of North America's mostexperience even better. There are larger Montreal
unique and memorable tourist destinations. This cityhotels nearby that offer bed and breakfast type
was founded over 360 years ago, as one of the firstservices, yet may have more of the amenities
settlements for Europeans who came in via the St.you've come to expect at a hotel.
Lawrence river. Old Montreal has been able toFor architecture lovers there is Musée
maintain its distinctive European flavour making it ideald'Archéologie et d'Histoire de Montréal
for tourists who want to experience a simpler, morewhich includes a number of old buildings that contain
romantic era.an intriguing underground display of archaeological
Old Montrealexcavations. Down at the Vieux-Port as it is called,
In Old Montreal, the charm of old French culture fromthere is a new park laid out on the docksides where
the 1800's is accessible to everyone. The streetsvisitors can stroll, cycle, roller-blade and enjoy the
have plenty of Victorian street lamps and flowers,cooling breezes off the water. You can take a
and the sidewalk cafés and lively restaurantsvariety of boat trips at the harbour as well.
create a festive atmosphere, both day and night.The Basilique Notre-Dame is a twin towered, grand
Many old warehouses have been converted toold church that was once the largest church in North
boutique shops and loft apartments and there areAmerica. Its interior is a collection of richly detailed
plenty of galleries and museums to stroll through.carved wood, stone, stained glass, alterpieces and
Prince Arthur Street is lined with outdoor cafes,windows. Next door is Vieux Séminaire de
terraces, and restaurants against stone façadeSaint-Sulpice built in 1685 and demonstrates French
buildings. The area between St Laurent and St Louisspirit of the 17th century.
Square is very popular. In the summer months, PlaceThis summer, take a drive to Montreal and
Jacques-Cartier is jammed with street performersexperience a taste of French Canadian heritage. From
and the outdoor restaurant terraces are filled withthe food to entertainment to the bustle of people,
tourists so it's a lively place.you'll find this an out of the ordinary summer
French Historyvacation and one to remember.
Old Montréal is situated on the banks of the