“I have been told that here the winter is hard. So I came in the spring. Six months in the cold is torture. If I can avoid it, I like it as much, ”
admits the singer Grand Corps Malade in his hoarse voice in his beautiful piece
À
Montréal
.
Montrealers, too, impatiently await spring after several months of biting cold.
Running from mid-April until June, the spring period is short but ideal.
While the summer can be sweltering at times, spring lends itself perfectly to walks and other outdoor pleasures offered by the most French-speaking of the large cities of North America.
Read also: Quebec seen from the sky
Mont-Royal district
Mount Royal and the Kondiaronk lookout
The Kondiaronk belvedere offers the most beautiful view of the island of Montreal, its downtown area and the St. Lawrence.
Susan moss
A must when arriving in Montreal, the ascent of the hill named by Jacques Cartier is an opportunity to celebrate the return of sunny days.
The
Kondiaronk belvedere
, named after the chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation who was one of the main architects of the Great Peace of Montreal of 1701, offers one of the most beautiful views.
It has to be earned!
More than 500 steps and winding paths to reach the end of the 233 meters of vertical drop.
The panorama is worth the detour.
In the foreground, the towers of the business center and, in the distance, the curves of the
St. Lawrence
.
Other points of view dot the park such as
Camilien-Houde,
where you can see the astonishing structure of
the Olympic stadium
, located east of Montreal, in the
Maisonneuve district
, in the heart of
the botanical garden.
Go back down through the very chic
tree-lined district of Outremont
to admire the beautiful villas.
Spring also heralds the return of the tam tam.
Starting in May, every Sunday, hundreds of percussionists and dancers gather at the foot of
Mount Royal
to play all day.
Mont Royal.
Open all year.
Free access.
Metro, Station Mont-Royal or Snowdon.
Bus, 11, Lac aux beaver stop.
Climb the steps of Saint Joseph's Oratory
With more than two million believers and visitors a year, Saint Joseph's Oratory is one of the most frequented places of pilgrimage in the world.
Nathalie Dumas
On the western side of Mount Royal stands another unmissable monument:
Saint Joseph's Oratory
.
The imposing Catholic building, built from 1924 on the initiative of Brother André and completed in 1967, welcomes millions of pilgrims every year.
Some of them climb the steps of the largest sanctuary dedicated to Saint Joseph on their knees.
In the middle of trees and gardens, we overlook Montreal and its long avenues.
Do not hesitate to take advantage of the calm of the
Garden of the Way of the Cross
, located to the east of the oratory, where many sculptures and fountains are enthroned.
Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, 3800, chemin Queen-Mary, H3V 1H6 Montreal, Tel .: 514 733-821.
Metro, Côte-des-Neiges Station (blue line).
Bus 165, Côte-des-Neiges / Queen Mary stop.
Bus 166, 51, Oratoire Saint Joseph stop.
The botanical garden at the foot of the Olympic stadium
This haven of peace is located at the foot of the imposing structure of the Montreal Olympic Stadium.
Jean-Francois Savaria
He alone is the symbol of spring.
Nestled at the foot of the Olympic stadium, which you may have already seen from Mount Royal, the
botanical garden
offers an impressive variety of plants with nearly 22,000 species, scattered over 75 hectares.
Stroll through the thirty thematic gardens including the lilac collection, the Alpine, Japanese or Chinese gardens.
In greenhouses or outdoors, we breathe in the spring scent.
Botanical Garden.
4101, rue Sherbrooke Est, QC H1X 2B2, Montreal.
Tel .: 514 868-3000.
Daily except Monday 9 am-5pm;
Price: $ 21.00 (adults), free for children under 4 years old.
Metro, Pie-IX Station.
Bus 185, Sherbrooke stop, bus 139, Pie-IX stop.
The Jean-Talon market and its surroundings
Founded in 1933, the Jean-Talon market is the oldest public market in Montreal.
Tourism Montreal - Aline Vinel
Montreal is also famous for its many public markets.
The
Jean-Talon market
is the most famous.
Located in the middle of the
district of La Petite Italie
, it is one of the oldest (founded in 1933).
In the spring, we buy flowers, vegetables and seasonal fruits, not to mention the essential maple products.
Other public markets such as
Atwater
, along the
Lachine Canal
, or
Maisonneuve
, located between the Saint-Laurent and the botanical garden, are also worth a detour.
From the Jean-Talon market, continue your walk to the
Mile End
and
Plateau-Mont-Royal neighborhoods
.
At the heart of Montreal's artistic life, these streets are full of shops and good restaurants such as the legendary addresses Fairmount Bagel or Schwartz's and its inimitable smoked meat.
You may come across a lot of French people, the district, with its colorful houses and wrought-iron staircases, is very popular with expatriates, so much so that the Plateau-Mont-Royal is now known as “Little Paris”.
Read also: On boulevard Saint-Laurent, the matrix of Montreal
Jean-Talon Market.
7070, avenue Henri-Julien, H2S 3S3 Montreal.
Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat: 7 am-6pm;
Thu, Fri: 7 am-8pm;
Sun 7 am-5pm.
Metro: Jean-Talon station.
Bus 55, Saint Laurent / Jean Talon stop.
Downtown
Have a drink on the terrace of the Place Ville-Marie tower
At 188 meters, the Place Ville-Marie tower is the fourth tallest in Montreal.
Eva blue
Will you regain some height?
In the middle of the business center, typical of North America, the
Place Ville-Marie tower
is the fourth tallest in Montreal.
Rather than paying $ 19 (€ 12) for the observatory, stop by Les Enfants Terribles bar and restaurant, located just below.
Located on the 44th floor, the highest table in the city allows you to appreciate the variety of Montreal architecture.
On the menu, fairly classic Quebec cuisine, with dishes around $ 30 (€ 19).
Just a drink?
The establishment offers an extensive wine and cocktail list.
Note, a brunch served on weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Count around $ 50 (€ 30).
The place being very popular, prefer the off-peak hours to be a little more quiet (Quebecers have a quick lunch at noon and dine fairly early, around 6 p.m.).
Les Enfants Terribles.
1, Place Ville Marie H3B 2G2 Montreal.
Phone.
: 514 544-8200.
Mon to Wed 11:30 am - 10:30 pm;
Thu and Fri 11:30 am - 11:00 pm;
Sat 10 am-11pm;
Sun 10 am-10.30pm.
Metro, McGill or Bonaventure stop.
READ ALSO -
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The entertainment district
Located in the city center, the entertainment district covers 1 km² with eight lively public squares, around forty concert halls and bars.
Stephan Poulin
Day and night, Montreal is a city with an abundant cultural offer.
With the lengthening of the days and the rise in temperatures, many events punctuate the period.
The
entertainment district
, right in the center, offers many open-air evenings.
The entertainment district.
Metro, Place des arts, Berri-UQAM, Saint-Laurent stops.
The district is also served by ten bus lines.
Read also: Montreal, international capital of the circus arts
Old Montreal and Old Port
Old Montreal, at the heart of history
Saint-Paul Street and the dome of the Bonsecours market, emblems of Old Montreal.
Tourism Montreal / Stéphan Poulin
Here you are in the historic heart of the city.
With a very European architecture, the cobbled streets and the colorful 17th century houses of
rue Saint-Paul
provide a very pleasant setting for walking, "shopping" or eating out.
It is also an opportunity to discover emblematic monuments of the city such as the
dome of the Bonsecours market
.
As you continue on your way, you may also come across the
Notre-Dame Basilica
, Grande Dame of Old Montreal.
Its neo-Gothic style offers a dazzling interior not to be missed.
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, 110 Notre-Dame Street West, H2Y 1T1 Montreal, Tel .: 514 842-2925.
Mon to Fri 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sat: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sun 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Price: $ 10 (adults).
Metro, Place-d'Armes Station.
Bus 55, rue Notre-Dame stop.
Old Montreal: Metro, Square-Victoria, Place-d'Armes, Champ-de-Mars stops.
Bus 35, Mc Gill / Saint-Paul stop.
The old Port
The Clock Tower offers a breathtaking view of the Old Port and the Jacques Cartier Bridge.
Azier Elorza
As an extension of the historic center, the
Old Port
is a gateway to the St. Lawrence.
To have a view of the river and the old town, do not hesitate to climb the 192 steps
of the Clock Tower
.
Built on
Victoria Quay
between 1919 and 1922, it pays tribute to Canadian sailors who died during the First World War.
At 45 meters high, this miniature replica of Big Ben is open from June to September.
And why not admire the view, comfortably installed in a jacuzzi?
For a moment of relaxation, go to the Bota Bota spa.
Moored in the Old Port, this 1950s ferry has been transformed into a haven of peace with a view of the St. Lawrence.
Not to be missed after a good day of walking.
Bota Bota.
Old Port of Montreal.
Tel .: 514 284-0333.
Mon to Thu 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fri, to Sun, 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Prices: from $ 40 for three hours.
Metro, Champ-de-Mars Station.
Bus 75, McGill / Wellington stop.
Clock tower.
1 Rue Quai de l'Horloge, QC H2L 5C1, Montreal.
Daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from June, free entry.
Metro, Stations Champ-de-Mars, Place d'Armes or Square-Victoria.
Bus 75, McGill / Wellington stop.
Bus 55, Saint-Laurent / Saint-Jacques stop.
"Sweet tooth" with maple syrup
The gourmet pleasure of early spring: the maple harvest.
If the sugar bushes are located on the outskirts of Montreal, several ephemeral places are popping up in the city to allow city dwellers to "have a sweet tooth".
Maple syrup kiosks are located at the Jean-Talon and Atwater markets or at the Mont-Royal metro station.
For the more gourmets, the large room of La Scena located in the Old Port offers from mid-March to mid-April a meal around maple made by a chef.
The Maple Chef: Salle Scena, Quai Jacques-Cartier (opposite Place Jacques-Cartier), QC H2Y 4B2, Montreal.
Phone.
: 514 288-0914.
From March 14 to April 12.
Mandatory reservation.
Menu at $ 69, dish to share for 4 people.
Metro, Champ-de-Mars Station.
Discover the fully renovated Biodome
Under construction since 2018, the biodome is due to reopen in June with brand new spaces dedicated to flora and fauna.
Space for Life (KANVA)
Emblematic site of Montreal, the
Biodôme takes
you
on a
journey
through the different ecosystems of the Americas.
Closed since April 2018, the former 1976 Olympic Games velodrome, transformed into a biodiversity center, has been given a facelift.
It should reopen its doors by June.
The imposing structure allows you to observe the birds of the tropical forest from the top of the trees, to enter a beaver lodge or to experience the polar cold like the penguins ... This set alone symbolizes the successful conversion of the Montreal Olympic Park.
Biodome.
4777, avenue Pierre-De Coubertin, QC H1V 1B3, Montreal.
Metro, Viau Station.
Bus 34, Sainte-Catherine stop, bus 125, Ontario stop, bus 132, Viau stop.
Along the St. Lawrence
Flag Jean Park
You can also enjoy the park by kayak, pedal boat or on a paddle.
André Pichette
Another green lung of Montreal:
Jean Drapeau Park
, located on
Île Sainte-Hélène
, next to that of Montreal.
268 hectares of nature at the gates of the city, accessible by metro or by the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.
Spring also heralds the return of migratory birds.
And you will surely be able to see some marmots.
Between two paths, we can see the large glass ball of the biosphere that houses
the environment museum
.
As you advance towards the shore, the view is breathtaking over the island of Montreal and the metallic structure of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.
Île Notre-Dame
, located right next door, is known for a whole other reason: its Formula 1 circuit.
Biosphere, Environment Museum: 160, chemin Tour-de-l'Isle, Île Sainte-Hélène, H3C 4G8, Montreal.
Price: $ 15 (adults).
Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Metro, Jean Drapeau Station.
Starting May 18, Montreal-Parc Jean-Drapeau river shuttle from the Jacques-Cartier wharf in the Old Port, price: $ 4.25.
Cycling along the St. Lawrence ...
From the Old Port to the Lachine Rapids, the bike paths offer a pleasant ride along the river.
Bernard Amiot
Long neglected by its inhabitants, the Saint-Laurent has been returning to the center of Montreal life for several years.
Cycling remains the best way to enjoy the surroundings of the river.
With nearly 700 km of cycle paths, Montreal is the capital of two-wheelers in North America.
Do not hesitate to start your walk from the Old Port.
Then take the bike paths to the Lachine Rapids.
The trail runs along the river and allows you to observe the return of migratory birds to
Île aux Héros
, a nature reserve for more than a hundred species.
You can also take the Lachine Canal on the way back, which is also very well equipped for cyclists.
Allow a good hour of cycling.
Bike rental
My bike: 2985, rue Saint-Patrick, H3K 1B9, Montreal.
Located on the Lachine Canal bike path, this rental shop is the ideal starting point to start a bike trip to the St. Lawrence.
Tel .: 514 317-6306.
Apr 10 to Nov 1, 2020: Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Metro: Lionel-Groulx station.
Fitz and Follwell: 251, rue Rachel Est, H2J 2J91, Montreal.
Tel .: 514-521-8356.
Nov 2019 to Mar 31, 2020: Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Apr 1 to Oct 31, 2020: Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition to rentals, the team offers guided tours in must-see Montreal neighborhoods such as Old Montreal, Plateau Mont-Royal, Mile-End or Mont-Royal.
… Or surfing!
Since the 2000s, a community of surfers has established itself in Montreal, taking advantage of the rapids of the St. Lawrence.
Tourisme Montréal - Madore - Daphné CARON
You read correctly.
For board sports enthusiasts, surfing in Montreal is possible!
Of course, don't expect Tahitian tubes (or the water temperature for that matter).
But the rapids of the St. Lawrence form beautiful waves accessible with an intermediate level.
In recent years, a community of surfers has even established itself in Montreal.
To taste the pleasure of this rather unique spot, whitewater surfing lessons are given from May by KSF (Kayak Without Borders).
A nice way to reclaim the river.
KSF.
7770 Boulevard LaSalle, H8P 1X6 (At the corner of Bishop Power).
Tel .: 514 595- 7873. $ 80 for a 3-hour whitewater initiation course.
Possibility of kayaking.
READ ALSO -
Sought after surf spot in Montreal, the river is also conducive to the ride
Take advantage of the city's many museums
Located on the very site of the founding of the city, the Pointe-à-Callière museum preserves important archaeological remains.
Pointe-a-Callière, Caroline Bergeron
Between two bike trips or after your surf session, book a day to visit museums.
Montreal is endowed with a very beautiful cultural unit.
The
Museum of Contemporary Art
brings together nearly 8,000 works and gives an important place to audiovisual creation.
That of the
Fine Arts
preserves very beautiful pieces and has a scenography of high quality.
Built on the very site where the city was founded in 1642, the
Pointe-à-Callière Museum
is a must for understanding Montreal's history.
The establishment offers a fairly rich archaeological visit and many exhibitions, particularly on the circus arts (from May 27), of which the city is one of the world capitals.
Museum of Modern Art.
185, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, H2X 3X5 Montreal.
Tel .: 514 847-6226.
Jan 3 to June 20, 2020: Tue, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m .;
Wed, Thu, Fri, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sun, Sat, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rates: $ 15 (adults).
Metro: Place-des-Arts station.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
1380 Sherbrooke Street West, H3G 1J5 Montreal.
Tel .: 514 285-2000.
Daily except Mon, 10 am-5pm.
Wed, 10 am-9pm.
Rates: $ 24 (adults).
$ 12 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Metro: Peel or Guy-Concordia station.
Bus 24, Sherbrooke / de la Montagne stops.
Pointe-à-Callière Museum.
350, place Royale, H2Y 3Y5, Montreal.
Tel .: 514 872-9150.
Sep 3, 2019 to June 23, 2020: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sun, Sat, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rates: $ 17 (adults).
Metro: Place-d'Armes station
Practical notebook
GO
By plane
Air Transat offers daily direct flights to Montreal from Paris.
And from May to October, from Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Bâle-Mulhouse airport.
Direct flights Paris-Montreal also with Air France.
From € 291 round trip from Paris.
In 2020, Air Canada also opened a direct line from Toulouse.
This line will operate all year round with five weekly flights.
Practical
The site of the Montreal tourist office, very complete, reviews, hotels, restaurants, bars, museums and all kinds of activities according to the seasons.
The metro is one of the best ways to get around Montreal.
The city is served by four lines.
Tourist passes for 1 day ($ 10) and 3 consecutive days ($ 19) are available.
For a one-week stay, opt for the weekly card (Monday-Sunday) at $ 26.25 or $ 16 for ages 6-17 and 65 and over (add $ 6 for the purchase of the card).
The city is equipped with a self-service bicycle system called Bixi.
In service from April to November.
Pay attention to the state of the roads in the city, often battered by periods of frost and extreme heat.
