A year ago, I visited Quebec City, a town a little over 2 hours from where I sit writing this. It was quiet and charming and the food was delightful. I’d recommend it to anybody wanting to get out of town for a weekend.
But Montreal? Maybe it was the wildfire smoke that cast a haze, or a rainy day that made my arthritis flare, but I just don’t care for it.
Montreal has a rich and vibrant history that dates back centuries. The city's story begins with the indigenous people who first inhabited the area, including the Iroquois and Algonquin tribes. In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier reached the area and claimed it for France. However, it wasn't until 1642 that the city was officially founded by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve.
Under French rule, Montreal grew as a fur trading post and a key strategic location. In 1760, the city was captured by the British during the Seven Years' War. The British brought about significant changes, including the influx of British and Scottish immigrants and the establishment of an English-speaking elite.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Montreal experienced rapid industrialization and became a major economic center. It played a crucial role in Canada's development, particularly in industries such as textiles, manufacturing, and transportation. Montreal also witnessed significant immigration waves, with large numbers of Irish, Italian, and Jewish immigrants making the city their home.
Today, Montreal stands as a thriving metropolis known for its cultural diversity, vibrant arts scene, and renowned festivals such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Just for Laughs comedy festival. It continues to be a key economic and cultural hub in Canada, blending its historic charm with a modern cosmopolitan flair.
Yes, it’s close to the Northeast United States. It’s full of French Colonial architecture and many of the tourist streets look like a page from a history text. The Notre Dame Basilica is gorgeous and the Museum of Fine Arts is worth visiting; the Botanical Garden is spectacular and I really enjoyed Chapelle Notre Dame de Bon Secours. I can imagine the frozen river and people ice fishing on the St. Lawrence River.
I was here on Canada Day, and people were decked in red and white, though the Quebecois have a funny relationship with Canada proper that made the day a touch more subdued.
So what wasn’t to like?
I’ll be honest—it was expensive in a way that didn’t represent great value. Nothing—nothing—was without an admission price over $20 CAD. There were few things to do that didn’t require a ticket. Food is expensive, and hotels in the downtown area averaged about $300 a night. I stayed in neighboring Longueuil, connected by the metro, for about $225.
That’s steep for what Montreal offers. Sure, it’s beautiful, but a lot of places are beautiful. The downtown shopping district isn’t much different from Walnut Street in Philadelphia. You could probably see Paris for the same price.
I wish I’d come here in the winter. I know that’s counter-intuitive, because it’s brutally cold and blustery. But, I guarantee Montreal has a charm that leans into its climate. It has a 20-mile-long underground city full of shops and corridors connecting the major points of business downtown. That’s pretty cool!
For now, though, I dunno. I’m glad I saw it, but I’m ready to go home.
I think that I may just instead watch The Score with Bassett, Brando, DeNiro, and Norton.
I went to Montréal for spring break in 2010. This was a bad idea. It was still extremely snowy and cold. I saved some cash by staying in a cute hostel, but I woke up with a sprained ankle on my first day. Baffling. Between that and your creaks and pops, I think Montréal might be a little bit cursed for us Angloids (I know your name ends in a vowel but you're one of us now)