Old Montreal Visitors Guide

Old Montreal sits between the St Lawrence River and downtown Montreal. It covers about one square km (or 0.4 square miles). Its boundaries are roughly Rue Saint-Antoine, the St. Lawrence River, Rue Berri, and Rue McGill. The best way to get around once there is most definitely on foot.

Getting to Old Montreal

• Three metro stations, all on the "orange" line, service Old Montreal: Square-Victoria, Place-d'Armes, Champ-de-Mars. See a Montreal Metro Map.
• Bringing your car to Old Montreal is a bit of a nuisance, as the cobblestone streets are narrow and parking may be difficult to find. 

The city of Montreal has a history dating back to 1642 when settlers from France landed at the edge of the St. Lawrence River and began to build a model Catholic community. The town became a major trading and military post—at one time surrounded by fortifying walls—and housed Canada's parliament for a few years in the 1800s. This waterside community is today's Old Montreal.

Visitors can appreciate Old Montreal by merely wandering the streets and stumbling upon its delightful nooks and crannies. Nevertheless, visitors should also make a point of seeing some of its more famous attractions (stop by the tourist bureau at 174 Notre-Dame St. East corner of Place Jacques-Cartier and pick up a free map).

The Old Montreal website has a well laid out and thorough self-guided walking tour of Old Montreal, complete with photos and maps.

• Point-a-Calliere Museum is a wonderful museum that explores the history of Montreal through archaeological studies and artifacts.
• Notre Dame Basilica, completed in 1829 has a unique light and sound show that recounts a history of Old Montreal and the church.
• Centre d'histoire de Montréal is set in a historic fire hall and focuses on the history of Montreal.
• Château Ramezay Museum explores the history of Quebec and Montreal through paintings and artifacts in a former governor's residence. Lovely cafe and gardens.

• Place Jacques-Cartier is a public square in true European tradition where people gather to sit on patios, browse the wares of local artists and craftspeople and otherwise mingle.
• Montreal's Old Port sits on the St. Lawrence River, stretching along Rue de la Commune. This area makes for a nice waterside stroll and offers green space where kids can burn off some energy. In winter and during the Montreal High Lights Festival, a large outdoor skating rink is free to the public.

Galleries, boutiques and art, jewelry, houseware, and gourmet shops are abundant in Old Montreal. There are some tourist shops crammed with trinkets, but even those, at least, are set in beautiful, historic buildings. In the summer, vendors and artists set up their wares on the streets and in Place Jacques-Cartier. Many of these vendors sell the same pictures—one you'll see is of a typical Montreal spiral staircase. Try looking around a while and buying at the end of your visit to ensure you find a fair price and get something you really like.

There's no shortage of cafés and restaurants in Old Montreal but beware the tourist traps. Here are some of the better places to eat in Old Montreal:

• Le Jardin Nelson is famous for its crepes and boasts a lush, multilevel outside terrace set amidst the partial walls of a 19th-century building. Live jazz.
• Olive + gourmando - Cozy and busy. Homemade pastries and superb soups and sandwiches.
• Les 3 Brasseurs - Not especially French but good microbrew beer and bar food.
• Club Chasse et Pêche - Rich, intimate interior. Pricey but delicious and creative.
• Chez l’Épicier - Well-known restaurant and chef. Gourmet food shop. Try lunch if on a budget.
• Canadian Maple Delights - Bistro and shop. Maple pastries, ice cream and more.

You won't find large, chain hotels in Old Montreal. Most accommodation is boutique hotels. Visitors may find better bargains at a downtown Montreal hotel, which will be just a walk or short cab ride away. Some of the more popular Old Montreal hotels are:

• Auberge du Vieux-Port is a riverfront hotel in a heritage building. If you don't stay there, at least go for a drink on the rooftop terrace.
• Hotel Place d'Armes offers modern, stylish rooms and an award-winning restaurant.
• Hotel St. Paul is a luxury boutique hotel noted for its restaurant.

Montreal winters are long and cold, so from after Christmas until the May long weekend, Old Montreal is quiet. In fact, some restaurants and businesses shut down for winter. This low period results in lots of travel bargains. Warmer months, especially July when many popular festivals occur, are definitely the preferred—and more expensive—times to travel.