The City of Montreal is a striking union of old-world charm and new-world attitude. Its name refers to the triple-peaked hill in the heart of the city, Mount Royal. The site has been occupied for 4,000 years and was originally home to First Nations people and known as Hochelaga. It began its current life in 1611 as a fur trading post established by the ‘Father of New France’, Samuel de Champlain. With over 4,000,000 inhabitants, today it is the world’s second largest French-speaking city, after Paris.
Named a UNESCO City of Design in 2006, this island gem on the magnificent St. Lawrence River seduces visitors with a harmonious pairing of the historic and the new. Old Montreal’s 17th century architecture and cobbled streets showcase a proud and diverse French Canadian culture. Discover Place Jacques Cartier Montreal City Hall, Bonsecours Market, Pointe-a-Calliere Museum, and the Montreal Science Centre. A highlight is Notre-Dame Basilica with its striking twin towers built in the Gothic Revivalist-style and a splendidly ornate interior.
