Discover Montreal
Montreal location
Montreal is located at the confluence of Saint Lawrence and Ottawa rivers, in the southwest of the province of Quebec, in Canada (map).
Distance to some other cities in Canada
If you are asking yourself how far you may be from Montreal then know that Quebec is 250 km away (travel notes), Saint Sauveur, Mont-Tremblant and other towns, villages or resorts in the Laurentians are just north, most within 150 km radius, distance to Ottawa is 190 km, Toronto is 540 km, Niagara Falls (Ontario) 680 km (all approximate numbers).
– Nighttime shot – downtown in the background and on the right Marché Bonsecours
In the neighborhood
In the neighborhood, on the U.S.A side of the border are; New York State (watch NYC on video), New Hampshire (featured here Mount Washington Resort), Vermont, and the State of Maine (featured here Old Orchard beach) is next door too (USA on images).
In short, the US border is only around 70 km or 43 miles away from Montreal.
Distance from some of the American cities to Montreal; Boston is 310 miles (500 km) away, New York City is 330 miles. (530 km), Chicago – 869 miles (1400 km) and Miami (Florida) is 1677 miles (2700 km) away (all approximate numbers).
French heritage
Montreal is the largest French-speaking city in North America (discover). Large number of it’s citizens are bilingual so you shouldn’t encounter major obstacles by asking for direction, ordering food, shopping or having fun. French speaking citizens of Montréal (French) make up majority of population but the city today represents a mix of cultures from all continents.
Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montréal
History
As many other explorers at the time, Jacques Cartier sailed west from France in search for passage to India, ended up in St. Lawrence river and landed on the island today know as Montreal. The year was 1535 and he recorded that at the time on the island lived Iroquoian people in the village of Hochelaga. Century had past by before first French settlement took its shape.
Montreal has changed hands throughout centuries while expanding and welcoming new settlers and most recently immigrants, growing in to a great cosmopolitan city famous for its Old Port architecture, museums, cafés, gourmet restaurants and numerous festivals.
Vieux Port de Montréal / Old Port Montreal
Place d’Youville in Old Montreal is the location where pre-Confederation Canadian Parliament Building stood in Montreal until 1849. After it got burned down by unhappy citizens it got moved to Ottawa (photo gallery) by Queen Victoria.
Narrow streets of Old Montreal will bring you as close is possible without leaving North America, just as Quebec city (photos), to ambiance that is usually found in European cities (photos). Stylish boutiques, restaurants, boutique hotels as well as art galleries are enriching already prestigious windows of centuries ago stone build houses.
Festivals, sport, fun
Montreal hosted 1976 Summer Olympic Games and it is host to next events: the Tennis Masters, the International Jazz, Film, Comedy and Fireworks Festivals, as well to the Formula One race – Ile St. Helene and Ile Notre Dame (photos).
Montreal Olympic Stadium photo gallery…
International Fireworks Festivals
Video clip and frequently updated large collection of photographs in our photo galleries should tell you more than words about Montreal – see it for yourself on the next links or follow us on social media for frequent updates on Montreal too.
Intro to our visual guide to Montreal
More in the Montreal photo gallery…
Winter
Montreal is usually wrapped into show from the month of December until the end of March, but, the general rule of thumb is that from November until the end of April anything can happen, including a winter with very little snow just as, here and there, surprisingly “warm” day or two in the middle of the winter.
Visual guide to some Montreal attractions
arts, recreation, fun…
Saint Helen’s Island & Notre Dame Island
* winter festival, dragon boat race, rowing club, F1 race, fireworks festival, amusement park, children’s festival, open air concerts, music festival, etc.
Two islands in St. Lawrence river, Ile St. Helene and man made Ile Notre Dame islands are facing Old Port Montreal…
Biosphère – An Environment Museum…
L’Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal
Saint Joseph’s Oratory is a pilgrimage site for numerous believers from around the world…
More about Saint Joseph’s Oratory…
Borough Lachine
Borough Lachine featuring René-Lévesque Park, on the Lac Saint Luis…
Mont Royal
It has been known for centuries as a mountain but Mont Royal is actually a hill in the very center of Montreal. See more in out featured photo gallery Mont Royal photo gallery…
Read the text in an open book on Mont Royal, overlooking downtown Montreal…
More in and around Montreal
– continually updated…
- Summer in the Old Port Montreal
- Montrealer
- All year: The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
- *364 days/year: Eco Museum ZOO
- February to April: Butterflies go Free at Montreal Botanical Garden
- All year: Montreal Botanical Garden
- All year: Nature park / Parc Nature du Bois de l’île-Bizard
- August: Children’s festival at Park Jean Drapeau
- All year: Nature park / Parc nature de l’Île de la Visitation
- October: Pumpkin picking on Notre-Dame de l’Ile-Perrot
- September: Apple picking in Rougemont
* “all year” – consult their web sites for opening hours, activities, conditions and exhibitions