Enjoy a European-style getaway in Montréal

One of the most striking examples of Montréal’s European ties is evident in Old Montréal’s well-preserved stately architecture and cobblestone streets which, today, are lined with trend-setting designer shops, art galleries, cafés and restaurants. Must-see historic buildings include Montréal’s ornate City Hall , the silver-domed Marché Bonsecours as well as Place Jacques-Cartier and Place de la Dauversière. Medieval Gothic architecture may have been the inspiration for our beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica, but the jaw-dropping AURA immersive multimedia experience proves it’s cutting-edge contemporary. Stroll to the majestic St. Lawrence River to see the web-like Jacques Cartier Bridge. Fun fact? The bridge’s main span’s four finials are often called the “Eiffel Towers”, a nod to Paris. London may have the Eye, but you can take a ride on our La Grande Roue, Canada’s tallest observation wheel that affords spectacular city and water views. You can also go for a nighttime stroll to admire beautiful exterior lighting  that bathes 18th-century buildings in a gorgeous warm glow. 

Montréal’s culinary scene is famously diverse, creative and, of course, accented with continental flavours. You’ll love its authentic French cuisine that you can find all around town. Craving the delicious, farm-to-fork goodness of Italy? Try Impasto and Primo & Secondo for pastas, pizzas and other delicacies from the Bel Paese. If you like to share, what about appetizing tapas at Ibericos, Tapeo or Taza Flores? Warm up with the mouthwatering mezzes and succulent seafood of Greece and its beautiful islands, or the fresh fish and vegetables of Portugal at Helena, Portus360 or Ferreira Café. If the ambiance of a European-style brasserie is more you, reserve a table at Holder, or relax with an ale in the English pub ambiance of The Burgundy Lion. Can’t choose? You don’t have to at two-storied Alexandre et fils, a combination French brasserie and Brit pub. Any given Montréal day might start with buttery croissants and finish with a decadent dessert that you can find at the city’s  best bakeries and pastry shops. You can find other appetizing and European options at Montréal’s  public markets, chocolatiers and cheese shops. 

From symmetrical to secret gardens, Montréal’s green spaces reflect their European sensibilities of therapy, knowledge and community. Travel back to 18th century France with a visit to the Governor’s Garden at Château Ramezay to see an authentic kitchen, orchard and pleasure garden. Mount Royal is a sprawling downtown park that boasts year-round outdoor activities, not to mention sweeping city views from the Kondiaronk Belvedere. In the city’s east end, Montréal’s world-class Jardin botanique offers soothing delights for plant lovers, with 10 gorgeous exhibition greenhouses and 30 thematic gardens. The Botanical Garden is part of the city’s Espace pour la vie, which includes the Biodôme, Planétarium, Insectarium and Biosphère. Another nod to Europe?  The city’s abundance of beautiful city squares, lets you take a break among turn-of-the-century houses, discover historic monuments and even see a classic Parisian metro entrance. 

Like most European cities, walking is a big part of Montréal’s culture, and many streets go car-free, making way for hours of discoveries on foot. Choose from these self-led beautiful city walks or hire a guide to bring you to local food, craft beer and major parks. Legs getting tired? Montréal’s transit system is top-notch, so hop aboard and relax on these public transit routes as you sightsee the city. As a port of call, Montréal is the perfect destination for relaxing water cruises, some in glass-topped boats (we’ve got our own “Bateau Mouche”) on the beautiful St. Lawrence River. Or take a leisurely stroll along the Old Port’s waterfront to soak up the sights, then stop for a drink on a bistro terrace. 

When the snowflakes start to fall, enjoy the city’s European flair when you do some outdoor ice skating. Loop and twirl to your heart’s content on Beaver Lake in Mount Royal Park, on Parc Lafontaine’s outdoor rink or Esplanade Tranquille’s ice skating rink at the heart of downtown, all of which boast chalet-style cafés to relax in. Worked up an appetite from all that fresh air? Check out the city’s excellent skating/snacking options or follow up the fun with a decadent, delicious cup of hot chocolate. Sparkling snow and mood-boosting light therapy are on the menu with LUMINO’s interactive light creations and other city-wide glow-ups as you stroll around the city. Cap everything off with drinks or a delicious meal on one of our winter rooftop terraces, or really wind down at one of Montréal’s many soothing spas, where Turkish hammams, Finish saunas and Nordic baths offer soothing therapeutic treatments.  

Adding more Old World depth to the city’s charm is Montréal’s thriving café culture. You can dreamily sip coffee in old-school Italian espresso bars, reconverted historic banks, spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows – and so many are Instagrammable. You can also join locals enjoying a pint at the city’s many microbreweries, tap into the 5 à 7 (happy hour) scene at beautiful cocktail bars and wine bars, or grab drinks and a light meal at the city’s buvettes. If you’re here in summer, follow the parasols to lush garden patios, hidden patios and rooftop patios. Need to cool off? Go for a refreshing scoop at the city’s array of ice cream parlours or chill out with iced brews al fresco. 

Montréal’s profusion of museums and art galleries tell the story of the city’s history and creativity. A must-see is the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: founded in the  mid-19th-century, it comprises nearly 47,000 artworks that showcase Quebec and Canadian heritage, Indigenous art and international art (be sure to check out the MMFA’s sculpture garden in sunny weather). The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, for its part, treats visitors to the contemporary art by Québec, Canadian, and international artists, while the McCord Stewart Museum has shed light on the city’s social history for over a century. Go back to the city’s roots at the Pointe-à-Callière Archaeology and History Complex, from the occupation by Indigenous peoples to the first French settlement to present-day Montréal. The charming Redpath Museum radiates Victorian vibes, from its ornate architecture to its mesmerizing collection that includes ancient dioramas, dinosaur skeletons, shells, taxidermy displays and minerals. The multifunctional PHI in Old Montréal is on the cutting-edge of art creativity, while Arsenal, which is located in a former 19th-century shipyard has the pulse of Québec, Canadian and international contemporary artists. For more art discoveries, see the city’s art galleries, discover its impressive collection of public art or explore colourful mural art around the city. 

Like most European cities, Montréal’s streets are made for its people. The city’s signature joie de vivre is expressed in colourful festivals celebrating everything from music, food, dance, circus and more. Star attractions include Jazz Fest, MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE, the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique and Fierté among the city’s famed summer festivals. Film, food and music are feted during our fall festivals, with headliners like the Festival du Nouveau Cinema, POP Montréal and MTLàTABLE showcasing talents from here and far. Dazzling light, gourmet feasting and holiday fun headline winter festivities like the Great Christmas Market, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE and LUMINO. Spring in the city kicks off with sugar shacking fun at Cabane Panache, literary love-ins at Blue Metropolis, out-there acts at the Fringe and the unbeatable fête of French-language song called the Francos. 

Love limited edition and exclusive purchases? Like Europe, Montréal has a thriving artisanal scene and plenty of boutiques, making shopping all that more special. Check out Montréal fashion designers and artisans, bookstores, jewelry shops, stationery stores or one-of-a-kind finds at museum boutiques, all with personalized picks in signature settings. Or how about some antiquing in 19th-century apartment buildings, unearthing awesome vintage or hard-to-find vinyls? Come holiday season, you can get your hands on unique finds at holiday markets throughout the city, the Salon des métiers d'art du Québec, the Great Montréal Christmas Market or the Time Out Market Montréal x Collectif Créatif MTL. You can also head to major malls and department stores like The Bay, Centre Eaton, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy and Simons for that special something, or wander for hours among the thousands of boutiques and shops of the “Underground City”. And don’t forget Sainte-Catherine Street, a thriving commercial artery in downtown Montréal for over a century. 

With all these dashes of Europe right next door, who needs to go globe-trotting? Happy European getaway right here in Montréal, where endless discoveries await.