Montreal:
Montreal is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city located in the province of Quebec, Canada. As the largest city in Quebec and the second-largest in Canada, it boasts a rich history and culture shaped by a unique blend of French and English influences. This vibrant metropolis is renowned for its stunning historic architecture, lively nightlife, and diverse culinary offerings that reflect its cultural diversity. With its charming streets, picturesque parks, and thriving arts scene, Montreal is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the best of Canadian culture.
Montreal highlights:
- #1 in the Americas for international events
- #1 of the world’s best cities for nightlife
- #1 of the world’s top 10 cities for street art
- #7 city in the world to be a student
- North America’s festival capital
- The food capital of North America
- Mile End: world’s coolest neighborhood
- A city of design
Montreal Tourist Attractions
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal
Growing from a humble stone church in the 17th century to a minor basilica welcoming some 8,000 parishioners, Notre-Dame Basilica stands as a majestic testament to the role of religion and art in Montréal’s history. A jewel of Québec’s religious heritage, it is a Gothic Revival masterpiece (1824–1829) whose twin towers recall Notre-Dame-de-Paris. The West Tower houses the 10,900-kg Jean-Baptiste bell; the East Tower features a carillon of ten bells. Statues of Saint-Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and Saint-Jean-Baptiste watch over the entrance to this national historic site.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal
Rising over the cityscape, the Oratory is the world’s largest sanctuary dedicated to Saint Joseph and one of the most visited pilgrimage sites, welcoming over two million visitors annually. In 1904, Brother André began with a small wooden chapel; decades later, in 1967, the immense sanctuary was completed, becoming one of Montréal’s most impressive religious landmarks.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The MMFA acquires, conserves, studies, and presents major works from Québec, Canada, Indigenous communities, and across the world—nearly 47,000 pieces from antiquity to today. A hub for art and a pioneer in art therapy, it delivers exhibitions and programming that inspire new ways of seeing while striving for inclusivity and accessibility.
Montréal Olympic Park
An international symbol of Montréal, the Olympic Stadium and its iconic inclined Tower were designed by Roger Taillibert for the 1976 Summer Olympics. Nicknamed “The Big O,” it’s famed for the circular roof and sweeping Esplanade of nine platforms that open striking views of the Stadium and Tower.
Habitat 67
Built on the reclaimed Cité-du-Havre jetty for Expo 67, Moshe Safdie’s avant-garde housing complex proposed a radical urban lifestyle that still captivates. Guided tours reveal suspended terraces, pedestrian walkways, and a restored Safdie apartment inside this modernist icon.
Biosphère – Space for Life
Set on Île Sainte-Hélène, the Biosphère’s geodesic dome—by visionary architect Buckminster Fuller—has been emblematic of Montréal since Expo 67. Conceived to celebrate human ingenuity and our coexistence with nature, it remains a beacon for environmental thought and education.
Saint-Paul and de la Commune Streets
Once Montréal’s main thoroughfare, today these cobblestone streets brim with renovated 19th-century buildings housing artisan boutiques, galleries, studios, cozy restaurants, chansonnier bars, jazz clubs, and the famed Marché Bonsecours.
The Jacques Cartier Bridge
Opened in 1931 (originally the Harbor Bridge) and renamed in 1934, this landmark links Longueuil and Montréal. “Living Connections,” its interactive lighting concept, responds in real time to seasons and the city’s energy—an emblem of Greater Montréal.
Casino de Montréal
This Loto-Québec entertainment complex offers slot machines, gaming tables, an interactive electronic-table area, free shows, bars, and restaurants for every taste. Don’t miss ARcade by Moment Factory—an immersive augmented-reality experience that blends games, sports, and nightlife.
