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Introduction |
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The world's largest inland port, Montreal was founded as a missionary village in 1642, 100 years after Jacques Cartier discovered the area. The French stayed in control of the growing settlement until 1760 when the British stepped in, sparking a now centuries-old French resentment of the British interference. Despite some undeniable English architectural and cultural influences, Montreal is today the world's second-largest French-speaking city set on an overwhelmingly English-speaking continent, and a metropolis of international repute, framed between Mont Royal and the St Lawrence River. The city is in the south of Canada's Quebec province, only 37 miles (60km) from the United States border, and is an important hub of North American trade. It is a spacious, beautiful city characterised by a series of underground shopping and recreation complexes, linked by walkways and the metro. This subterranean city contains more than 18.5 miles (30km) of office and apartment complexes, major stores, hotels, restaurants, metro stations, parking garages, movie theatres, concert halls and more, all snugly accessible during the snowy winters. Its population is a multicultural mix, which has fostered a vibrant cultural life, cemented by its French and British roots. There are several theatres offering year-round plays, ballet and music, art galleries and museums. Like most Canadian cities, Montreal has interspersed urban development with green areas. In this case pride of place is taken by the spacious Parc du Mont-Royal, designed by Frederic Olmsted, the American landscape artist who also designed Central Park in New York. The city also has 30 museums and numerous other attractions of interest to visitors all year round. |
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Attractions |
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Old Port Montreal's Old Port (Vieux Port de Montreal) is actually fairly new, having had a major face-lift to make it the most popular site for visitors to the city - drawing five million of them each year to throng the bustling wharves. There are still plenty of boats in evidence but nowadays they are mainly tour boats, ferries and even amphibious buses which offer sailings along the St Lawrence or around the port. Ferries cross to the Parc des Iles, site of the Expo 67 world's fair, which lies in the St Lawrence and offers family outdoor activities like picnic facilities, swimming, skating or skiing in winter. The Old Port itself is a thriving arts and entertainment venue where something is always happening. It also offers a huge open-air skating rink, Imax cinema, and a Science and Technology Center with interactive displays. The port also has a vibey cafe culture. The clock tower offers excellent views across the city and contains an exhibition that traces Montreal's history. Around the port are the city's original 17th-century fortifications. Address : De la Commune Street; Telephone : (514) 496 7678; Website : www.oldportofmontreal.com ; Transport : Square-Victoria, Place d'Armes, Champ-de-Mars metro stations are a short walk away Olympic Park Montreal's futuristic Olympic Park was built for the 1976 Summer Olympic Games and still serves as a showpiece today. Designed by French architect, Roger Tallibert, it is impressive in both size and shape, able to hold up to 80,000 spectators who now gather here for concerts and baseball games. The landmark tower on the main stadium, standing at 575ft (175m), is the world's tallest inclined tower. Visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Montreal and its surroundings from the observation floors, accessible by a funicular-type elevator. The Olympic Park complex also features the unique attraction known as the Biodome, a building containing four ecosystems. Opposite the park pop over to view the wonderful Botanical Gardens, which are the second largest in the world. Address : 4141 Pierre-De Coubertin Avenue; Telephone : (514) 252 8687; Website : www.rio.gouv.qc.ca ; Opening time : Daily 10am to 9pm (mid June to early September). Daily guided tours are half-hourly 11pm to 3.30pm; the cable car runs from 9am to 5pm (mid-February to mid-June) and until 7pm from 19 June to 6 September ; Admission : Guided tours: C$7 (adults), C$5.25 (children); cable car: C$12 (adults), C$6 (children) St Joseph's Oratory St Joseph's Oratory is a landmark in Montreal, its imposing dome on the northwest flank of Mont Royal is visible for miles. This Oratory is a famous pilgrimage site, despite only being completed in 1967, attracting over two million visitors and pilgrims each year. It was founded by Brother Andre, a beloved monk who was known as the miracle-worker of Mount Royal because of his healing abilities. Work began on the basilica after his death in 1937. Its dome is the second largest in the world, being 318ft (97m) high; it is second only to St Peter's in Rome. The Oratory's carillon is made up of 56 bells and were originally cast for the Eiffel Tower in Paris; the Oratory acquired them in 1956. Visitors can climb the 283 steps from street level to the basilica's portico for beautiful vistas over the city. Website : www.saint-joseph.org ; Opening time : Daily 7.30am to 9pm Museum of Fine Arts During the past 140 years the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has assembled one of North America's finest encyclopaedic collections, totalling more than 30,000 objects. The collections include Canadian art, contemporary art, Inuit and Amerindian Art, European Masters, prints and drawings and decorative arts. The museum also regularly features special exhibitions and activity programmes for adults, students and children. Address : Sherbrooke Street West; Telephone : (514) 285 2000; Website : www.mmfa.qc.ca ; Transport : Bus 24 or metro to Guy-Concordia station; Opening time : Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm, Wednesdays until 9pm; Admission : Free. Admission is charged for temporary exhibitions, but is half price on Wednesdays from 5.30pm to 9pm |
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Entertainment |
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International Jazz Festival Montreal's annual jazz festival is one of the best in the world, just celebrating its 25th anniversary. Superstars of jazz, like Oscar Peterson, feature on the programme which offers more than 400 concerts over about 10 days each summer. Venue : Various; Date : June/July 2005, TBA; Website : www.montrealjazzfest.com Montreal High Lights Festival Montreal's lively 11-day mid-winter festival is designed to bring some light and warmth into local lives. It is billed as ‘three festivals in one', having a gastronomic, musical and artistic component. There are more than 100 concerts scheduled, more than 200 culinary and wine events, and various shows and exhibitions, many of them free of charge. Venue : Various; Date : 17-27 February 2005; Website : www.montrealhighlights.com Pyromusical Competition Montreal's annual international fireworks competition is the largest event of its kind in the world, and spectacular to behold. Each year about eight teams from various countries compete for putting on the most impressive pyromusical display for a minimum of 30 minutes. This extremely popular event is allegedly watched by nearly two and a half million people who have a good view from various spots in the Montreal city limits. Venue : Paid seats at La Ronde. Other good viewing points are Jacques Cartier bridge (closed to traffic for the duration), along the banks of the St Lawrence and in Vieux Montreal; Date : June/July 2005, TBC; Website : www.montreal-fireworks.com International Celtic Festival A 22-acre green wooded expanse alongside the St Lawrence, just 10 minutes from downtown Montreal, is the perfect setting for the city's popular annual Celtic celebration. Visitors can attend workshops in beginner's Gaelic, step-dancing or traditional instruments, search for the Holy Grail, watch celtic warriors jousting and try tasty Irish Stew, mead or cider to name but a few activities. Venue : Grounds of the Douglas Hospital, Verdun; Date : 13-15 August 2004; Website : www.montrealcelticfestival.com Canadian Grand Prix For more than a quarter of a century the world's top motor racing drivers have been meeting at the demanding Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit to battle out an important race in the Formula one World Championship. This year's race will be as exciting as ever. Venue : Gilles Villeneuve Circuit; Date : June 2005, TBC; Website : www.grandprix.ca |
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Snapshot |
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Time: Canada covers six time zones, from GMT –8 in the west to GMT -3.5 in the east.
Electricity: Electrical current is 110 volts, 60Hz. American style flat two-pin plugs are standard.
Money: The currency used is the Canadian Dollar (C$), which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of $1,000, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Banks and bureaux de change will change money and travellers cheques, as will some hotels, but the rate will not be as good. Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are plentiful.
| C$ 1.00 | C$ 5.00 | C$ 10.00 | C$ 100.00 | C$ 1,000.00 | | A$ 1.08 | A$ 5.42 | A$ 10.84 | A$ 108.44 | A$ 1,084.36 | | ₤ 0.42 | ₤ 2.11 | ₤ 4.22 | ₤ 42.20 | ₤ 422.01 | | US$ 0.76 | US$ 3.79 | US$ 7.58 | US$ 75.79 | US$ 757.92 | | R 5.10 | R 25.51 | R 51.03 | R 510.28 | R 5,102.77 |
Language: The official languages are English and French (predominantly in Quebec).
Entry requirements for Americans: Although a passport is the ideal identification, US nationals do not require a passport to enter Canada if holding other identification to establish citizenship, such as a birth certificate and at least one ID card with photo. If you are a naturalized US citizen, you should carry this certificate. Permanent residents of the USA must bring their 'Green Card'. A visa is not required for stays of up to six months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British nationals require a valid passport, a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay. No visa is needed for stays of up to six months. Note that passports must be endorsed "British Citizen" or "British Overseas Citizen" and the visitor must be re-admissible to the United Kingdom. Some British Dependent Territories Citizens may not be allowed in to Canada, exceptions include citizens of British dependent territories who derive their citizenship through birth, descent, registration or naturalization in one of the British dependent territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, St. Helena or the Turks and Caicos Islands. If in doubt check with the Canadian Embassy.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians must carry a passport, valid beyond the period of intended stay, and a return or onward ticket. Sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay is also required. A visa is not required for stays of up to six months.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals must hold a passport valid for the duration of their stay. A return or onward ticket and sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay is also needed. A visa is required.
Embassy or Consulate in US: Canadian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 682 1740
Embassy or Consulate in UK: Canadian High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7258 6600
Embassy or Consulate in Australia: Canadian High Commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6270 4000
Embassy or Consulate in South Africa: Canadian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 422 3000
US Embassy or Consulate: Embassy of the United States of America, Ottawa: +1 613 238 5335
UK Embassy or Consulate: British High Commission, Ottawa: +1 613 237 1530
Australian Embassy or Consulate: Australian High Commission, Ottawa: +1 613 236 0841
South African Embassy or Consulate: High Commission for the Republic of South Africa, Ottawa: +1 613 744 0330
Getting around: Montreal's sensible layout combined with an extensive and super-efficient public transport system (Metro, bus and commuter rail services) make getting around the city easy. In fair weather hundreds of kilometres of bike paths that span the island offer a healthier, pleasant option. Public transport is run by STCUM. The pristine metro has dozens of stations along four different lines with numerous stops in the subterranean mall. The metro stops are all integrated with a comprehensive network of city bus routes. The metro and buses run between 6am and 1am, with a limited night bus service filling in. The inner city services in turn connect to a commuter rail network that serves the suburbs. Fares are standard on both the bus and metro and transfers are free; a discounted tourist pass is available for bus and metro. Metered taxis can be hailed in the streets downtown or ordered by telephone. There are numerous car rental firms in the city, but roads are often heavily congested and traffic jams are common.
Health: There are no serious health risks associated with travel to Canada and no special precautions or vaccinations are required. West Nile Virus, spread by mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water, poses a threat during summer months in rural areas, so precautionary measures are advised for those visiting the countryside particularly in Saskatchewan, Alberta, ontario, Manitoba, and Quebec. Medical care is excellent, but expensive - medical insurance is essential.
Tipping: There is no service charge added to restaurant bills, and staff expect to receive tips; 15% is the usual amount. Hairdressers and taxi drivers are also usually tipped at the same rate, while bellhops, doormen, porters and similar service providers at hotels, airports and stations are generally paid $1 per item of luggage carried.
Safety: Most visits to Canada are trouble-free. The country is politically stable, but does share the common international risk of terrorism. There have been no recent terrorism events. The crime rate is low, but travellers are advised to take sensible precautions to safeguard their belongings as they would anywhere.
Communications: The international access code for Canada is +1. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom); the outgoing code is not necessary for calls to the US and the Caribbean. Internet cafes are widely available. Most international mobile phone companies have roaming agreements with Canadian operators, however it may be cheaper to buy a pay-as-you-go SIM card if visiting the country for long periods.
Montréal Dorval Airport (YUL) Location: The airport is located 15 miles (24km) west of Montréal.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 between the first Sunday in April and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Contacts: Tel: +1 (514) 394 7377.
Transfer to the city: There is an airport shuttle bus service into the centre of Montreal and to the major downtown hotels. Shuttle buses also connect Montreal-Dorval Airport and Montreal-Mirabel Airport. Taxis are readily available and cost around C$32 to the city centre.
Car rental: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, National and Thrifty are represented on site.
Facilities: The Departures level offers ATMs and bureaux de change as well as duty-free and other shops. Restaurants, bars and cafes are available on both levels. Business facilities are available in the VIP lounge. Disabled travellers are well catered for; passengers with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking: Short-term parking is adjacent to the airport, long-term is a few minutes away and is served by a regular shuttle bus. Valet parking is also available; the reception area is next to the terminal.
Departure tax: C$10 for international departures and C$7.50 for departures to other North American destinations. Transit passengers and children under two are exempt. |
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