Three days in Montréal will get your head “dans les nuages” and buzzing with French words and songs. And we got to practice our French: Oui, Non, Fermez la bouche ;). Great metro, with staff as friendly [some very friendly] as Toronto counterparts.
Want a good and affordable place right in the city center? Try L’Appartement Hotel on rue Sherbrooke Ouest [my Tom Tom GPS device will not find “Sherbrooke St. West”; must input the street address en Français!]. It’s clean, has a kitchenette (with all the utensils) and serves free Continental breakfast. Some noise from the street (especially from the Holiday Inn).
Places to visit:
- La basilique Notre-Dame: Go at night and see « Et la lumière fut » (“And then there was light” sound and light show)
- Schwartz’s Deli: famous for its Montreal Smoked Meat (line up and don’t mind if they sit you with strangers; just enjoy the smoked meat, or order for take-out)
- Musée des beaux arts (museum is free; special paid events)
- Chinatown (it’s quite small)
- Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal) (give yourself a whole day and wear comfortable walking shoes)
- Le Centre des sciences de Montréal (the IMAX is very popular and we enjoyed: « Moi, Van Gogh » )