Rasika DalviWe wanted to visit Montreal and Quebec City for some time now. Being located in the northeast of the USA and so close to this European-like gorgeous city; Montreal has been on our bucket list. Somehow it wasn’t happening; as in 2020 our tourist visa got rejected and finally when we got it and planned our trip in the summer of 2023; we had to cancel the trip due to wildfires in Canada. So, finally, our stars aligned and we visited Montreal in October 2023. Let’s make our journey in these chic cities of Montreal and Quebec.
Day 1
We started our drive on Friday evening from Vernon, Connecticut to Montreal. It took us 5 hours to reach our hotel in downtown Montreal. It was our choice to drive to Montreal from Connecticut. But if you’re not so keen about driving a few hours; still getting to Montreal is an absolute breeze. Dozens of nonstop flights from D.C. and New York area airports leave daily, and those flights are less than 2 hours. However, Montreal has a relatively large international airport, so you should easily be able to fly in from any destination.
We stayed at the Hilton hotel in downtown. If you’re visiting Montreal for the first time, it’s best to stay in the middle of all the action in the Downtown area, making visiting the city’s sights extra convenient.
Day 2
Our day started with rain and looking for a good breakfast place. I had already planned to go to Crew Collective & Café. It is an interesting concept of converting an old bank (Royal Bank of Canada) into a cute café. I loved the high ceilings and interesting architecture. There were designs and art all over the walls. Unfortunately, we couldn’t taste the food, as the entire café was booked for an event that morning.
Then we had our breakfast at Tommy. It looks like an old-school café that you would see in a movie with a modern twist. It has lovely décor with tall ceilings and an interesting seating arrangement.
Notre-Dame Basilica:
We decided to start our exploration with an iconic cathedral in Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica / Basilique Notre-Dame. Montréal’s famous landmark, Notre Dame Basilica, is a 19th-century Gothic Revival masterpiece with spectacular craftsmanship – a visually pleasing, symphony of carved wood, paintings, gilded sculptures, and stained-glass windows. Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal is located at the intersection of Notre-Dame Street West and Saint-Sulpice Street in the borough of Ville-Marie in Montréal. This jewel of Québec’s religious heritage was built by the Sulpicians over the years 1824 to 1829, to serve as a parish church. It is one of the oldest examples of Gothic Revival religious architecture in Canada. At the time it was built, it was a daring, innovative edifice on a scale unequalled anywhere else in North America. The architect was James O’Donnell, an Irish immigrant to New York City. Its interior decor along with its rich ornamentation, are unique and evoke a true sense of wonder in visitors. The Basilica is also one of the major tourist attractions in the city of Montréal.
What first began as a small chapel in the old village of Ville-Marie in the 1640s has now become the magnificent Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal.
Everything, from the great bell in the western tower to the 1891 organ with its 7000 pipes and the stained-glass windows depicting the city’s history, speaks of the strong faith of the congregations of yesteryear. In 1657, the Roman Catholic Sulpician arrived in Ville-Marie, now known as Montreal; six years later, the seigneury of the island was vested in them.
By night, you can visit Notre-Dame Basilica for AURA, an illuminating light show experience at the cathedral. It’s a three-act multimedia spectacular featuring architecture, lights, and orchestral music. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the ticket, as they were sold out. But, we will definitely experience this next time.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal :
After visiting this prime example of Gothic revival architecture, our next stop was the highest building in Montreal; Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal. Rising majestically above the cityscape is Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal. It is the largest sanctuary dedicated to Saint Joseph and one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage sites with over 2 million visitors per year. In 1904, Brother André, a simple porter renowned for his miracle cures set out to construct a small wooden chapel, which would ultimately become one of the city’s most impressive religious buildings. The shrine includes a majestic basilica for close to 2,000 worshippers, with a dome that reaches a soaring 97 meters, the original chapel, a votive chapel, and a crypt.
The Montreal Botanical Garden (Jardin botanique de Montreal):
Get ready to be a part of storybook scenes in the Jardin Botanique. It is one of the largest botanical gardens in the world and is famous for its extensive collection of plants and themed gardens. The garden covers approximately 75 hectors and features variety of plant species, including numerous theme gardens, greenhouses, and outdoor exhibits.
As the first red leaves begin to drift from the trees, Montreal’s iconic Jardin Botanique bursts into life once again, bathed in the ethereal glow of the Gardens of Light Festival. From September 1 through October 31, pathways at the iconic botanical garden will be illuminated with lanterns and light shows. Gardens of Light, which is Montreal’s depiction of one of Imperial China’s most beautiful ancient traditions resembles the Lantern Festival in many ways.
The intricately constructed lanterns, in the shape of animals, birds, vehicles, and even people, are the draw. Though Chinese lanterns typically celebrate Chinese New Year, they’re on display here for the fall harvest, or Moon Festival. The lanterns are handmade in Shanghai, and it takes a full year of preparations to organize and display the lights. Every small detail contributes to the magical atmosphere of the festival. Each year, a theme is chosen by garden designers. Ideas are sent to Shanghai for new lanterns and then sent back to Montreal to be put together and installed by garden designers.
Montreal at a glance:
- Montreal is the second-most populous city in Canada (after Toronto) and the biggest francophone city in the Americas. It is a metropolis of almost 2 million people.
- Montreal is an island in the middle of the St-Lawrence River and it is situated in the province of Quebec, the only 100% francophone province in Canada.
- We speak French and English. Don’t worry if your French is a little rusty, however, we do appreciate people going the extra mile to speak a little French. You don’t speak any French? No worries, you can at least learn a few words like Merci (thank you) and Bonjour (Hello).
- The French created the city as we know it more than 375 years ago. However, the First Nations inhabited the land long before the Europeans arrived to claim it as their own.
- The city has more than 800 public art.
- Montreal hosts more than 110 festivals per year!
- In June 2006, Montreal was officially designated a UNESCO City of Design.
- 85% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Quebec, Montréal’s Province. The maple sap collected used to make maple syrup is also used to make all kinds of maple goodies including maple butter, maple candy, marinades, and baked goods.
- Montreal has a city underneath the city. The Underground City is a maze of tunnels and shops that covers more than 18 miles.
- With the highest number of tango dancers and dance halls on the continent, Montréal is the tango capital of North America.
- Benjamin Franklin, an American statesman, was sent to Montréal during the American Revolution to persuade the Canadians to join the American cause against the British. After a stay of just ten days, Franklin left convinced that it would be easier to buy Canada than to conquer it.
Day 3
Today we headed towards the city which would give us a glimpse of the European lifestyle; Quebec City. The drive from Montreal to Quebec City is 3 hours.
Quebec City:
Quebec City is fiercely European with a fierce grip on the French Canadian Identity. With a romantic charm flowing through the air, cobblestone streets, delicious restaurants at every corner, and the picturesque St. Lawrence River situated on the edge of town, it has everything you would want in a destination. We fell in love with this charming city because it’s basically like experiencing Europe without having to cross the ocean!
We parked our car on the campus of Université Laval and started our exploration of this charming city. Getting around Quebec City is easy and convenient. Most attractions are within walking distance of each other, making it easy for visitors to explore on foot Stroll through the cobblestone streets, visit the best historic sites, and soak in the region’s magnificent heritage, storied past, and European charm. It’s festive, welcoming, and wonderfully safe. Quebecers are known for being warm and welcoming. Everywhere you go, you’ll be met with a smile. People here are proud of their francophone culture and North American roots.
Québec was founded by the French explorer Champlain in the early 17th century. In the 17th century, the first French explorers, fur trappers, and missionaries came over and established a colony. Thus, it is considered the cradle of the French Civilization. Quebec is well known for producing maple syrup, for its comedy, and for making hockey one of the most popular sports in Canada. It is also renowned for its culture; the province produces literature, music, films, TV shows, festivals, and more.
It is the only North American city to have preserved its ramparts, together with the numerous bastions, gates, and defensive works that still surround Old Québec.
The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, commonly referred to as the Château Frontenac, is a historic hotel in Quebec City. The hotel is situated in Old Quebec, within the historic district’s Upper Town, on the southern side of Place d’Armes.
Quebec, city, port, and capital of Quebeck province, Canada. One of the oldest cities in Canada—having celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008—Quebec City has a distinct old-world character and charm. It is the only remaining walled city in North America north of Mexico and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. Among its other distinguishing characteristics are its narrow cobblestone streets, stone buildings, fortifications, and rich French Canadian culture grounded in the French language.
Walk down to Dufferin Terrace
Take a stroll along Dufferin Terrace for a magnificent view of the St. Lawrence River and Château Frontenac, as well as live entertainment in the summer and a toboggan run in the winter. Named in honor of Lord Dufferin, a governor-general of Canada who loved Québec City, the terrace is so eternally popular that it has been expanded twice since it was first built.
While you’re there, hit up another historic site: the remains of the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux, which lie beneath this iconic promenade.
Plains of Abraham:
On September 13, 1759, the giant urban park known as the Plains of Abraham was the site of the famous Battle of Québec, the confrontation that decided Canada’s fate when the French lost the city to the British. The famous battle of Québec pitted French troops against English, with their respective Generals Louis‑Joseph de Montcalm and James Wolfe leading the charge.
Basilica Cathedral Notre-Dame de Québec:
Located in the heart of Old Québec, this basilica cathedral was home to the first Catholic parish north of the Spanish colonies. Its important place in the city’s history is reflected in its exceptional architecture. The basilica has a rich history. It stands on the site of the first mission chapel of New France, built in 1647, and the first parish church of New France, founded in 1664. The original structure was flattened in the Siege of Quebec in 1759. A rebuilt church stood until 1922 when it was ravaged by fire. What we see today was rebuilt after the fire as closely as possible to the original.
Fall in love with Canada’s prettiest pedestrian street; Petit-Champlain
Petit-Champlain Street in Quebec City is one of the most romantic, and oldest, streets in Canada. Flanked by historic buildings dating back to the 17th century, this narrow cobblestone shopping street is one of the most popular destinations in Old Quebec City. Petit-Champlain is one of the hottest shopping streets in Québec City, known for its boutiques featuring everything from Québec-made boots and moccasins to sculptures, jewelry, and Québec terroir products. Sample decadent fudge or sweet maple syrup. This narrow, cobblestoned route is lined with quaint shops and boutiques, making it a charming place to shop in all seasons. The street also offers a dramatic view from the top of the famously steep Escalier Casse‑Cou (or Breakneck Staircase), the oldest stairway in the city.
The vibe of Montréal and Québec City are both different and complementary. While Montréal is big and cosmopolitan, Québec City is cozy and welcoming. A trip to Montréal and Québec City is a trip into the heart and soul of French Canada. Choosing between the two is a matter of personal preference. The narrow cobblestoned streets, windows adorned with brightly colored shutters and cheerful flower baskets, sidewalk cafes, and adorable French bistros will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to a cozy French town. Montréal is more about cultural diversity and the vibrant arts, music, and food scenes. Given a choice, I would always choose Quebec City as a romantic getaway that offers a charming European atmosphere.