If you have ever seen a picture of Montreal, you may have thought you were looking at a picture of Paris. The two cities are very similar because Quebec was a French colony. Montreal is now actually the second-largest French-speaking city after Paris. So, Montreal is the perfect city to visit in North America if you want to get a taste of European influence.
Take a look at these stunning pictures of Montreal, Quebec, and you’re sure to book a ticket to go immediately!
Notre Dame Basilica
One of the main points of interest in Montreal is the Notre-Dame Basilica, a stunning church. It is quite similar to the church of the same name in Paris, but it was the first gothic-revival style church in Canada, so it is unique in its own right.
Notre Dame is open to visitors and still functions as a normal church today, with mass you can attend. The best part about visiting Notre Dame, though is the stunning light show Aura that is put on every night inside the church. Notre Dame’s interior is already beautiful, but add a unique light show, and you won’t want to leave.
Botanical Garden Montreal
Despite being the second-most populated city in Canada, Montreal has great green spaces, namely the Montreal Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden features tons of activities along with 30 outdoor gardens. There’s also a great Japanese garden and pavilion with cultural exhibitions, a Chinese garden, which is the largest of its kind outside of Asia, and a First Nations Garden. The Chinese gardens feature a light exhibit, pictured above, every year on Chinese New Year. There is also a fun treehouse to check out in the garden.
If traditional gardens aren’t your thing, the Montreal Botanical Garden also features a bio-dome, a planetarium, and an insectarium. You could spend your entire trip in the garden and still not see everything!
The Botanical Garden is also perfectly located just a few minutes from downtown Montreal so you and your family or friends can enjoy a break from the city and pop over to the gardens for a visit.
Old Port of Montreal
If you’re looking for the European-influence in Montreal, the Old Port is the place to see it. Cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways, and unique old buildings line the streets of Old Montreal.
The city has modernized the Old Port a bit and added a 60-metre tall Ferris wheel that is open year-round and gives visitors a great view of the city. There’s also a fun playground with a zipline, escape room and pirate ship theme park that you or your children will love. If you’re in Montreal in the winter, there is a great ice rink near the Ferris Wheel, where festive events occur throughout the season.
Montreal is also well-known for having delicious food, and there are plenty of great restaurants and cafes to explore. We recommend taking a walking tour with a local to really explore the old part of Montreal. We don’t want you to miss anything!
See the Skyline
Montreal has such a unique skyline as it is a mix of old and new buildings. One of the best places to see the skyline is from Mount Royal Park. You can hike, cycle, ski, and snowshoe to this lookout and get a great view of Montreal, the Old Port and the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. Jacques-Cartier Bridge, pictured above, is also a great place to get a good view of the city if you’re not looking for a climb.
If you love sunsets, you have to make a stop at St. Joseph’s Oratory, another recognizable church in Montreal. It is the tallest point in the city, so you’ll get a great view!
Those looking for an indoor observation deck will love Au Sommet PVM. It is an indoor observation deck 188 metres high in downtown Montreal. You’ll get a great 360-view of the city from the observaton deck and when you’re done, you can visit the highest restaurant in the city two floors below.
Admire the Architecture
As we mentioned earlier, Montreal was part of the French colony Quebec for years, and there is still a huge French influence evident in the city, particularly in the architecture. But, with the addition of new modern buildings, Montreal has plenty to offer.
Taking a walk or even a bus tour is a great way to really get a feel for the city. While you’re out, make it a point to see City Hall, a stunning five-storey building that was built in 1878 in Old Montreal.
The 24-storey Sun Life Building is another great one to see as it has an interesting historical past seeing as it was where Britain stored their gold reserves.
A bit further out of central Montreal is Habitat 67 pictured above, a unique housing complex made of 354 cubes stacked on top of each other. It almost looks like it’s ready to fall at any time, making it the perfect place to visit for architecture lovers.
Montreal Olympic Park
Like many major cities, Montreal actually hosted the summer Olympics in 1976. Today, some of the buildings are still used, and tourists can visit to get an up-close look at the Olympic Park.
Tourists can visit Montreal Tower, the tallest inclined tower in the world, the renovated sports centre, the esplanade, and even the Olympic Stadium which still hosts plenty of events and shows.
The Bottom Line
If you love European history, delicious food, and beautiful gardens all conveniently located within North America, you’ll love Montreal. Make these photos a reality and visit this stunning city for yourself; you won’t regret it!