Montréal Guide
Things Not to Miss
1 Jardin Botanique Head east to see the pagoda-dotted Chinese Garden and serene Japanese Garden, the highlights of this sprawling botanical oasis.
2 Musée d'Archéologie et d'Histoire de Montréal Filled with remains from Montréal's earliest days, this fascinating museum lies on the site of the colony's founding in 1642.
3 The Village The heart of Montréal's gay and lesbian community, this vibrant neighbourhood offers an abundance of restaurants, cafés, bars and shops.
4 Basilique Notre-Dame The city abounds with graceful chapels and churches, in addition to the bolder architecture of its best-known cathedral.
5 Mont Royal At 233 metres, the "mountain" is hardly deserving of the name, yet its many trails, stunning views and central location make it a more-than-worthwhile destination.
6 Marché Jean-Talon This market at the heart of Little Italy overflows with fresh produce, bread, cheeses and meats seven days a week.
7 Dinner at Holder With its bold and brash atmosphere, Vieux-Montréal restaurant Holder provides a convivial way to ease into French bistro cuisine.
8 Château Ramezay This 300-year-old manor house is as much an artefact of the city's history as the exhibits inside, especially the ornate mahogany-panelled Salle de Nantes, where concerts are held.
9 Oratoire St-Joseph This copper-domed edifice, an awe-inspiring tribute to religious devotion, towers over the western slopes of Mont Royal.
10 Montréal Canadiens Though the Canadiens are a long way from their glory days, seeing them play at the Centre Bell is still an action-packed, invigorating way to spend an evening.