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Marie-Pierre(Tourisme Montréal)

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The Underground Pedestrian Network

Length of stay 1

Theme: City Tour

Best for:

Last updated: May 13, 2008

The Underground Pedestrian Network: Through the Corridors of Time

Rain or shine, the Underground Pedestrian Network is used by half a million Montrealers daily. And it’s not just a question of practicality; the Network is also a portal to a wealth of discoveries. From the esplanade of Place Ville Marie, you are about to embark on a subterranean architectural journey that will lead you through a temporal maze, right into the heart of the Quartier international.

1962
Place Ville Marie, the starting point of your itinerary, is inaugurated. Designed by architect Ieoh Ming Pei, the tower’s cruciform architecture allows natural light to penetrate right into the very centre of the structure. The Underground Pedestrian Network was born here, with the construction of the first passage linking Place Ville Marie to Central Station.

Continuing through Central Station, you will cross Place Bonaventure to arrive at 1000 de La Gauchetière. Under its soaring Atrium, skaters glide by on the vast indoor rink (open year-round), bathed in natural light pouring in from the massive skylight overhead. Then it’s back to Place Bonaventure, this time in the direction of Square Victoria.

1872
A monument dedicated to Queen Victoria is unveiled in the centre of the square named in her honour. Look for the authentic, art nouveau-style Parisian metro entrance that adorns the Square Victoria station, which was given to Montréal from the City of Light on the occasion of the 1967 World Exhibition.

From the metro entrance at the corner of McGill and Saint-Jacques, head back underground to the Stock Exchange Tower and the World Trade Centre. Next stop: the Centre CDP Capital, a superb example of the artful blending of traditional and contemporary styles so typical of Montréal. To the east, at Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, a flame-and-water fantasy awaits.

1969
Montréal artist Jean-Paul Riopelle begins his stunning sculpture-fountain, La Joute (The Joust). Today, the work is the crowning jewel of the public square, operating on a kinetic sequence that culminates in a dramatic ring of flame encircling the installation. The piece is a poetic expression of the interplay between the elements of fire and water.

Through the fountain mist, you will see the multi-coloured windows that form the western wall of the Palais des congrès (Montréal Convention Centre). Behind the translucent kaleidoscope of glass, look for the Jardin Nature Légère, a forest of 52 shocking-pink cement tree trunks. Gazing upon this fanciful creation by architect Claude Cormier, you’ll feel that your voyage through time has brought you to the beginning of the third millennium. And so ends the tour of the RÉSO (as in “réseau”, or “network” in French), one of the world’s largest indoor pedestrian networks.

The Underground Pedestrian Network

Length of stay 1

Theme: City Tour

Best for:

Last updated: May 13, 2008

Underground Pedestrian Network

The 33 km of connecting passageways and hubs of the underground city stretch out beneath downtown.

Category: Attractions - Shopping streets

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Metro: McGill

Montréal, Québec

Telephone:
Toll-free:

Place Ville Marie

For almost a half-century this tower with its cruciform architecture has been the symbol of downtown Montréal.

Category: Attractions - Shopping centres/Department Stores

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Metro: McGill

Corner of McGill College Avenue and Cathcart Stree

Montréal, Québec, H3B 2E7

Telephone: 514 861-9393
Toll-free:
info@placevillemarie.com

Central Station

The station’s Hall is decorated with superb historic frescoes depicting familiar themes in the lives of Canadians.

Category: Attractions - Buildings

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Metro: Bonaventure

895 De La Gauchetière Street West

Montréal, Québec

Telephone:
Toll-free:

Le 1000 de La Gauchetière

This 51-storey building contains an indoor skating rink open year-round and set inside a domed, sky-lit hall.

Category: Attractions - Buildings

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Metro: Bonaventure

1000 De La Gauchetière Street West

Montréal, Québec, H3B 4W5

Telephone: 514 395-1000
Toll-free:
info.le1000@sitq.com

Atrium Le 1000

Skating fans can practice their favorite sport year-round at this indoor skating rink.

Category: Activities - Indoor sports

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Metro: Bonaventure

1000 De La Gauchetière Street West

Montréal, Québec, H3B 4W5

Telephone: 514 395-0555
Toll-free:
atrium.le1000@sitq.com

Quartier international de Montréal

Dotted with works of art, it is home to the Palais des congrès and numerous upscale hotels and buildings.

Category: Attractions - Streets and squares

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Metro: Square-Victoria

A quadrilateral bordered by University, Saint-Jacques, Viger and Saint-Urbain Streets

Montréal, Québec

Telephone: 514 841-7772
Toll-free:

ICAO

The 15-storey office tower houses the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Category: Attractions - Buildings

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Metro: Square-Victoria

999 University Street

Montréal, Québec, H3C 5H7

Telephone: 514 954-8219
Toll-free:

World Trade Centre Montréal

This multifunctional complex features a large atrium housing boutiques and restaurants.

Category: Attractions - Buildings

Neighbourhood: Old Montréal and Old Port

Metro: Square-Victoria

747 du Square-Victoria Street

Montréal, Québec, H2Y 3Y9

Telephone: 514 982-9888
Toll-free:
info@sitq.com

Square Victoria

Named after Queen Victoria, this Square boasts an authentic Art Nouveau Paris metro railing.

Category: Attractions - Streets and squares

Neighbourhood: Old Montréal and Old Port

Metro: Square-Victoria

Corner of Viger Avenue and Beaver Hall Hill

Montréal, Québec

Telephone:
Toll-free:

Centre CDP Capital - The Parquet

Not only does this new skyscraper house business offices, it also contains a public space for entertainment.

Category: Attractions - Offsite venues

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Metro: Square-Victoria

1000 Jean-Paul-Riopelle Place

Montréal, Québec, H2Z 2B3

Telephone: 514 847-2555
Toll-free:
info.centrecdcapital@sitq.com

Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle

This public square was named after the famous painter Riopelle and features his sculpture-foutain titled La Joute.

Category: Attractions - Streets and squares

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Metro: Square-Victoria

Montréal, Québec

Telephone:
Toll-free:

Montréal Convention Centre (Palais des congrès de Montréal)

The building’s architecture reflects Montréal’s multi-facetted personality: modern, historical and festive.

Category: Attractions - Convention centre

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Metro: Place-d'Armes

1001 Jean-Paul-Riopelle Place

Montréal, Québec, H2Z 1H2

Telephone: 514 871-8122
Toll-free: 1 800 268-8122
info@congresmtl.com

1. Montréal ville d art et de culture

À Montréal, histoire et contemporanéité se côtoient. Pour vous en convaincre, visitez le Musée Pointe-à-Callière, qui témoigne de plus de mille ans d'histoire de la ville sur les lieux ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for:
Last updated: May 13, 2008

Theme: Arts and Culture
Length of stay: 3 days

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2. Une journée au Festival International de Jazz

Midi
Lorsque vous pénétrez dans l'immense quadrilatère réservé au Festival, la rue Sainte-Catherine vibre déjà au rythme de musique dixieland. Familiarisez-vous avec les lieux en visit ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for:
Last updated: May 12, 2008

Theme: Festivals and Events
Length of stay: 1 days

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3. Trois jours de fête électronique

Dès 13 h, dépliez votre nappe à carreaux et savourez le menu de Piknic Électronik. Dansez avec des centaines d'adeptes sous l’Homme, l'immense stabile d’Alexander Calder, et profitez des meilleurs talents de ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for:
Last updated: May 13, 2008

Theme: Music
Length of stay: 3 days

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4. Pleins feux sur Montréal

Un après-midi enrichissant et amusant

Les Quais du Vieux-Port de Montréal sont l’endroit idéal pour passer un après-midi bien rempli en famille. À bicyclette, en quadricycle, en patins &agrav ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for: For Families
Last updated: May 13, 2008

Theme: Nightlife
Length of stay: 1 days

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5. Une journée active sur le mont Royal

Il est le terrain de jeu préféré des Montréalais, qui l’appellent familièrement « la montagne ». Comme eux, sortez vos chaussures d’excursion ou votre vélo et offrez-vous une journ& ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for:
Last updated: May 12, 2008

Theme: Sports
Length of stay: 1 days

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6. Le Circuit lumière du Vieux Montréal

C'est à la tombée du jour que les édifices historiques de Montréal révèlent toute leur splendeur.

Les éclairages ont été spécialement conçus pour mettre en valeur ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for: For Couples
Last updated: May 13, 2008

Theme: City Tour
Length of stay: 1 days

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7. Le réseau piétonnier intérieur

Beau temps, mauvais temps, le réseau piétonnier intérieur est emprunté quotidiennement pas quelque 500 000 Montréalais. Pas juste pratique. Enrichissant. En gagnant l’esplanade de la Place Ville Marie, vous ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for:
Last updated: May 13, 2008

Theme: City Tour
Length of stay: 1 days

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8. Montréal city of art and culture

Montréal’s present lives very happily with its past. To see it in action, visit the Pointe-à-Callière Museum, which literally exposes a thousand years of the city’s history, including the city’s founding, in ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for:
Last updated: June 5, 2008

Theme: Arts and Culture
Length of stay: 3 days

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9. A day at the Festival International de Jazz

Noon
The minute you step into the huge downtown sector reserved for the Festival, you’ll find Sainte-Catherine Street swept up in the beats of the Big Easy and beyond. Get your bearings by visiting the many kiosks that offer ev ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for:
Last updated: May 12, 2008

Theme: Festivals and Events
Length of stay: 1 days

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10. A three day electronic music fest

If there’s a new music trend happening out there, you can count on Montréalers to know about it. And that’s why everyone hotly anticipates the MUTEK festival, devoted to the latest and greatest in digital music creation. Now nin ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for:
Last updated: May 13, 2008

Theme: Music
Length of stay: 3 days

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11. Fun and fireworks in Montréal

A fun-filled afternoon

Montréal’s Quays of the Old Port is the perfect place for the whole family to spend the afternoon together. Whether on bicycle, quadricycle, in-line skates, Segway—that fascinating little tw ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for: For Families
Last updated: May 13, 2008

Theme: Nightlife
Length of stay: 1 days

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12. A day of fresh air and fun on Mount Royal

Mount Royal—or the “the mountain” as people here fondly refer to it—is Montrealers’ preferred playground. And whether you’re exploring it by foot or by bike, its lush green expanses will reveal a treasure trove ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for:
Last updated: May 12, 2008

Theme: Sports
Length of stay: 1 days

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13. Lighting Tour of Old Montréal

Come nightfall, Old Montréal’s historic buildings are bathed in beautiful light

The lighting in Old Montréal was specially designed to showcase the architectural details of the neighbourhood’s centuries-old buildi ...

Created by: Marie-Pierre (Tourisme Montréal)
Best for: For Couples
Last updated: May 13, 2008

Theme: City Tour
Length of stay: 1 days

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1. Underground Pedestrian Network
Type: Shopping streets Neighbourhood: Downtown
Centre on map

2. Place Ville Marie
Type: Shopping centres/Department Stores Neighbourhood: Downtown
Centre on map

3. Central Station
Type: Buildings Neighbourhood: Downtown
Centre on map

4. Le 1000 de La Gauchetière
Type: Buildings Neighbourhood: Downtown
Centre on map

5. Atrium Le 1000
Type: Indoor sports Neighbourhood: Downtown
Centre on map