Montreal, the largest city in the French-speaking province of Quebec, blends Old World charm with North American energy, giving it a distinctly European feel built on a fusion of French and Canadian culture.
The cobblestoned streets of Old Montreal lead to the magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica, while Mount Royal Park, the leafy hilltop designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offers the city’s best views. Add St. Joseph’s Oratory, the science-filled Biodome, and a famous food scene of bagels, smoked meat and poutine. The city is also a festival capital, headlined by the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
The best time to visit is June to September for warm weather and near-constant festivals, while April to May and September to November bring fewer crowds; winter is cold but lively and cheaper. Allow three or four days to take it in.
