Buildings in Old Montreal date back to the 1600s, making it one of the oldest and best-preserved urban cores in North America. The narrow lanes are now filled with cafes, museums, plazas, and quaint shops.
Spend a day on a leisurely self-guided stroll through Old Montreal, since it is well worth your time in Quebec province. Some of the top places to visit in Old Montreal are:
Basilica of Notre Dame
Notre-Dame Basilica is the oldest Catholic church in the city, and it was built in the Gothic Revival style in the 19th century. More importantly, it’s the site of Celine Dion’s wedding.
Although unremarkable from the outside, the interior is breathtaking with its blue and gold hues, stained-glass windows, elaborate wood carvings, a plethora of statues, and a 7,000-pipe organ.
Visit the church’s event page to find out whether there are any concerts scheduled during your stay.
Place d’Armes
This plaza dates back to the 17th century and is now home to some of Montreal’s most iconic Art Deco buildings and historic landmarks, such as the Bank of Montreal (the oldest banking institution in Canada).
The area features a 19th-century monument of Montreal’s founder, Paul de Chomedey, as its centerpiece, and is also ornamented with interesting pieces of public art. While you’re there, see if you can spot the sculpture man holding the English bulldog and the sculpted woman holding the French poodle.
Canada visa guide
Here are a few useful links that you can check out to get a simple and easy visa guide for Canada:
Champ-de-Mars
If you’re looking for a place to relax and take in the sights of Old Montreal, look no further than this open park just behind City Hall. Champ-de-Mars was originally built as a military parade ground in the 18th century.
The park contains the remnants of the city of Montreal’s old defenses, which, if the snow has melted, can be seen as two parallel lines of stone walls.
The Royal Place
In 1642, the first fort in the area, Ville-Marie, was constructed on this small, elevated square. Afterward, the area served as a marketplace and finally as the Old Customs House’s courtyard in 1836.
It also has an underground tube that connects to the excellent Montréal historical museum, the Cité d’archéologie et d’histoire de Pointe-à -Callière.
Saint Sulpician Seminary
The Saint Sulpician Seminary, constructed between 1684 and 1687, holds the title of Montreal’s oldest surviving structure (and home to the oldest private garden in North America).
The Society of Saint-Sulpice priests still lives in this spectacular New French U-shaped edifice, which is a historical landmark. For a little price, you may take a guided tour of the Seminary and discover the fascinating history of its residents and the growth of Catholicism in Montreal.
Saint Laurent Boulevard
The Main Street of Montreal! You can window shop at any store along the way, but you should definitely stop by Eva B Vintage Store. Eva B, a trippy thrift store on Saint Laurent Boulevard, is often considered to be among the greatest of its kind in Eastern North America.
Outside, you’ll find street art, and inside, you’ll find unique souvenirs and a pleasant atmosphere perfect for window shopping, music listening, and caffeinated beverages.
This is Kyle Thomas, a professional writer, and a news editor. I started my career as a blogger who writes on various topics and then I decided that I should join a NEWS agency where I can work as a NEWS reporter. So, I joined a renowned agency in the town as an internet and after getting 2 years of experience, now I am working as a senior NEWS reporter for The Daily NEWS Times.
