Only in Montréal does a simple stroll seem like time travel: you go back in time or leap to the future with every step.
With memories of New France swirling amongst ultramodern construction, it’s no wonder that Montréal was the first North American city to be appointed a UNESCO City of Design (2006).
Let’s step back to relive the romance of days gone by amidst Old Montréal’s cobblestone streets and 18th- and 19th-century stone buildings, taking time to gaze in awe at Notre-Dame Basilica.
Next, let’s amble towards the present through Montréal’s new jewel of urban design—the Quartier international—and beyond to experience our downtown’s eclectic mix of old and new: striking skyscrapers, heritage buildings, sleek cafés, designer boutiques and art galleries plus architectural innovations such as Place Ville-Marie and the Underground Pedestrian Network set the scene for Montréal’s cosmopolitan vibe.
And what better than a tour of the Canadian Centre for Architecture, both international research centre and museum, to understand the importance of lines and design to this city? A magnificent structure which merges a contemporary building with a grand 19th-century house, it was built with the conviction that architecture is everybody’s business.
A short métro ride away, futuristic constructions such as Expo 67’s geodesic Biosphère, the Casino de Montréal, Habitat 67’s building-block apartments and the Olympic Stadium are all testament to Montréal’s avant-garde vision.
As we circle Mount Royal, stately greystone buildings and Victorian-style mansions stand tall, while St. Joseph’s Oratory watches over the city from its imposing perch.
Finally, we end our walkabout where Montréal lives—its neighbourhoods. Our signature wrought-iron staircases, the “plexes” of many configurations (du, tri, four and five), plus the cultural touches of our diverse communities, reveal the true nature of our tremendous city.
