Old Montreal is, as you probably guessed, the old part of Montreal, and is
situated near the St-Laurent river (southern part of Montreal). The age of the
buildings range from the 17th century to early 20th century (there are some
modern buildings). The closer you are to the river, the older the buildings
usually are.
The main place to visit is Place Jacques Cartier, in front of the Montreal city
hall (Champ de Mars metro station). The Place Jacques Cartier leads down to the
old port where many activities take place.
Note that outside the tourism period in old Montreal (between October and
April), there isn't much going on, but the museums are still open as are the
restaurants and bars (there's also skating in the old port in the winter). But
don't be surprised, in that period, if you don't see many people walking in the
streets; it's a completely different story during the summer.
- the Notre-Dame basilica (Place d'armes metro station). - St-Sulpice
seminary, oldest building in Montreal (1685) still standing, to the right of
the Notre-Dame basilica.
- Place d'Armes, in front of the Notre-Dame basilica, to the north of the
place there's the Bank of Montreal (the building with the dome) which has a
small museum about ... money (free admission, from 10am to 4pm).
- Rue St-Jacques, the old business street (between Square-Victoria metro
station and Place-d'armes metro station).
- Place Jacques-Cartier (Champs de Mars metro station), starts from
Notre-Dame street near City Hall and continues down to de la Commune street.
It's surrounded by restaurants and cafes (mostly for tourists).
- de la Commune street parallel to the St-Laurent river and the old port (the
old port is full of activities during the summer : exhibitions, you can rent
bicycles, caleche rides, musicians...).
- the Clock Tower, Bonsecour Street (just east of the Bonsecour Market),
south of de la Commune.
- The old fortifications, old Montreal use to be surrounded by
fortifications, but they have been destroyed. There are still some parts left,
behind city hall on the Champs-de-Mars (Champs de Marc metro station) and in
the Pointe-a-Calliere museum.
- Cours le Royer, old warehouses converted into condominiums. The story of
the buildings and the land is written on a plaque with holograms to illustrate.
It's just east of Notre-Dame basilica (walk down on St-Sulpice from Notre- Dame
street).
- Centre de Commerce Mondial, block of renovated old buildings
(Square-Victoria metro station), there's a great atrium with a fountain where
the ruelle des Fortifications (alley) use to be.Caleche (horse-drawn carriages)
rides through old Montreal, you can take them on de la Commune street (in front
of the old port) or in front of the Notre- Dame basilica.
- Boat rides (bateau-mouche) on the St-Laurent (summer), some tours also have
dining on board; Jacques Cartier pier at the old port. - Saute-Mouton (boat
ride through the Lachine rapids), Clock Tower pier at the old port (summer).
- S.O.S. Labyrinthe 94, giant maze (2 kilometers long), King Edward pier from
May to September.
- Sound and laser show (free), Thursday to Sunday from June 16 to September 4
at sunset. At the Parc des Ecluses near de la Commune west on the corner of
McGill ave.
- The most interesting thing is to walk around on the cobble stone streets
and look around (the most interesting streets are St-Paul, de la Commune and
St-Jacques).
N.B. When you walk down Place Jacques-Cartier to de la Commune
street and the old port, Kind Edward pier is on your right and Jacques-Cartier
pier and the Clock Tower pier is on your left.
- Musee de la Pointe-a-Calliere (near the old port), 350 place Royale west.
It's an history/archeology museum built on top of the remains of historical old
buildings and other historical sites that use to be at that location; it's also
the spot where founders of Montreal landed. The museum continues under de la
Commune street and Place Royale and ends up in the old Customs building you can
see part of the fortification wall, the old Place Royale and the small river
that runs between the Place and the Pointe. It gives a good idea of how
Montreal began.
- Centre d'histoire de Montreal (historical museum/center about Montreal) 335
Place d'Youville, (514) 872-3207. It's a small interactive (and interesting)
exhibition of Montreal's history in a restored Queen Ann style firehouse. It
presents each important era of Montreal's history from the beggining of the
colony to the industrialization. One of he most interesting part is the
1920-1990 period on the second floor (you have to walk up the reproduction of
the duplex's stairs). Ask for the guide book in english if you don't read
french (the signs in the exhibition are in french, but the english translation
is in the guide book).
- Chateau Ramezay (in front of city hall, 280 Notre-Dame street east),
museum, was built in 1705.
- Maison George-Etienne Cartier on Berri street, museum with free admission
(if you're interested in George Etienne Cartier or his period (late 19th
century)).
- Marche Bonsecour, 330 St-Paul east (closed until reopened as a public
market).
- Expotec (scientific exhibition), Kind-Edward pier in the old port, from May
18 to September 18). This year, it's on electricity.
- Imax theater (old port) giant screen with IMAX technology. There's an
Expotec- Imax combo when you buy a ticket to Expotec
- Images du futur (computer graphics and tech-art, from May 13 to September
18, King Edward pier). This year, Japan is featured.
- The Pelican, replica of a 17th century warship, Jacques Cartier pier in the
old port.
- Chez Stash (polish) great atmosphere, 220 St-Paul west.
- Steak-Frite Saint-Paul (steaks & fries) 12 St-Paul west, west of Place
Jacques Cartier.
- Cafe Pot-aux-Roses (belgian) 185 St-Paul west.
- La Boucherie (french cuisine) expensive but excellent. 343 St-Paul east, in
front of the marche Bonsecour.
- Le Bonaparte (french) 443 St-Francois-Xavier.
- Chez Postel (french) 443 St-Vincent.
- La Menara (north african) belly dancing and the likes, 256 St-Paul
east.
- Deux Pierrots (chansonniers/folk/other), 104 St-Paul east
- L'Air du Temps (jazz club), 191 St-Paul west.
- the Keg on St-Paul west.
- McGill street (Beaver Hall) to the west
- Ville-Marie autoroute to the north
- St-Laurent river to the south
- Berri street to the east.
- Champs de Mars (Champ de Mars, City Hall, Place Cartier, Old Port)
- Place d'Armes (Place d'Armes, Basilique Notre-Dame)
- Square Victoria (St-Jacques street, World Trade Center)