Walk through the traces of the mission founded in 1642 and let yourself be seduced by its harmonious contrast of ancient architecture and modernism. In this French-speaking city of more than 4 million inhabitants and no less than 120 nationalities, French meets English and a myriad of other languages, cultures merge in a perpetual creative effervescence. The Montrealers, warm and often polyglot, are happy to start the conversation, just to get to know each other better. This innate hospitality has naturally made the city the venue of dazzling international festivals that follow one another at an unbridled pace. Montrealers and the festive spirit is tight knitting. To the point that we have created festivals for all seasons, all audiences, night and day, rain or shine.

Top events include the International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs and FrancoFolies. Montreal features the world's most illustrious names. In the summer, the Grand Prix of Formula One Canada will be a big crowd at the Grand Prix du Canada de Formula 1 to witness the exploits of the new Gilles Villeneuve circuit champion. At nightfall, fireworks from the International des Feux Loto-Québec set the skies on fire. Unless it's the last Bergman we project on the wall of a building. When winter comes, the festival fervour is always as fiery. The MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS Festival, a gastronomic, artistic and musical celebration, will warm our soul and delight our taste buds.

Montreal is the second most populous city in Canada. It is located mainly on the fluvial island of Montreal, on the St. Lawrence River (between Quebec City and Lake Ontario) in the southern part of the province of Quebec, of which it is the metropolis. By 2016, the city had more than 1.7 million inhabitants and its urban area (called the Montréal Metropolitan Area) more than 4 million, or about half the population of Quebec. Montréal is the 19th most populous city in North America. Montreal is the most populous French-speaking city in North America and is considered to have the second largest French-speaking population in the world after Paris. Approximately 50% of Montreal's population is mother tongue French, 13% English and 33% non-English, making it one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

Montreal is part of the St. Lawrence Lowlands ecoregion, a vast valley between the Appalachian Mountains and Laurentians, stretching along the St. Lawrence River. The highest point on the island, Mount Royal, one of the Montérégie hills, measures 234 metres from the city centre. Municipal zoning ensures that no building exceeds this height for aesthetic reasons[desired reference]. The historic centre of the city, also known as Old Montreal, is located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, a few kilometres downstream of the Lachine Rapids. The hypercentre, with its skyscrapers, is located nearby, on a terrace between the river and the southern slope of Mount Royal.

The Old Montreal

Old Montreal is also an opportunity to discover many nice little streets. It's fantastic, because this part of the city mixes the very recent with the authentic. By going to Old Montreal, you will be able to walk for a few hours in each street that has its own charm. You can first go to the Notre Dame Basilica, near the Place d' Armes Station. This last one is worth the detour, from inside and outside! You can also visit the Bonsecours market, which deserves a good look. We also recommend that you visit Place Jacques Cartier, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful squares, if not the most beautiful square in town. In the summer, you will see a large number of singers and entertainers who will make you clap their hands.

Climbing Mount Royal (Le Belvedere)

Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (the same landscape architect who designed New York's Central Park), the mountain park in the heart of the city is Montreal's most emblematic landmark - and the most popular place to take a self-portrait. Meet at the Belvedere at the summit of Mount Royal using the stairs or with a guided tour. In the chalet at the top, visitors will find toilets and a small canteen for refreshments. Treat yourself to an invigorating two hours.

Taste the typical Montreal cuisine

Small restaurants and good food are part of Montreal's joie de vivre. Bite your teeth in a delicious smoked meat sandwich with world-renowned Schwartz deli meats. Find out why Montrealers love their wood-baked bagels at the bakeries on Fairmont or Saint-Viateur streets. (HINT: Bagels are soaked in honey water before cooking). Taste our famous poutine at La Banquise. Then quench your thirst with a locally produced beverage, such as Rise Kombucha or 1642 Cola.

Shopping on Sainte-Catherine Street

Among the longest shopping streets in Canada, Sainte-Catherine Street is the perfect place to shop around and spoil yourself. You'll find international fashion pillars such as Gap, Victoria Secret and H&M. But don't miss regional retailers such as Montreal leather goods store M0851, Little Burgundy and its coolest footwear selection as well as the popular department store Simons and its wide range of products.

Climbing to Saint Joseph's Oratory

Saint Joseph is often considered the saint of daily life. It is not every day, however, that you can visit one of the most popular Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Saint Joseph's Oratory is one of Montreal's masterpieces - the resistance piece in the city of a thousand bell towers. The oratory houses a magnificent Rudolf von Beckerath organ, which is ranked among the ten most prestigious in the world. Also, the immense dome of the basilica reaches 97 meters which places it in the second row after the dome of St Peter's Basilica in Rome. Temporary exhibitions are offered throughout the year. Take the metro to Côte-des-Neiges station, then walk up the famous staircase of the oratory.

Explore the Underground Montreal

Montréal has a vast underground pedestrian network that includes, to be exact, 32 kilometres (20 miles) of interrelated crossings. During the winter months, approximately 500,000 people travel there every day to access offices, stations, shops and restaurants. Called RÉSO, this system connects the city's convention centre, ten major hotels and several shopping centres.

Montreal, ville créative

Montreal is a creative city. Visitors who are fond of art will appreciate the many museums and galleries that present historical and contemporary works. One of the most important institutions in North America, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is the stopover for art lovers. Its many rooms contain paintings, sculptures, graphic art, photography and decorative art, and the gallery is proud to present world-class temporary exhibitions. For a more modern approach, visit Canada's first museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. The Museum of Contemporary Art has a permanent collection as well as many multimedia events. Finally, the Phi Centre presents art in all its forms. Consult the schedule for a list of shows.

Head east for a feast of attractions

The Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood in eastern Montreal has many impressive attractions - all within walking distance of each other. First of all, the Olympic Stadium is an impressive reminder of the 1976 Summer Games that went down in history, and undoubtedly the most recognizable architectural structure in the entire city. At the inclined tower of the stadium (even larger than the leaning tower of Pisa), visitors can take an elevator for a panoramic view of the urban landscape. There is also the world-renowned Montreal Botanical Garden, which has seasonal facilities such as the popular Chinese Lantern Festival in the fall months. And, last but not least, the Biodome, where there are five ecosystems with more than 250 different species of animals that children will love.