On Sunday, September 25, 2022, seven travelers left 43 King Street in Burlington for the beautiful city of Montreal. We were met by a French Canadian friend of the AFLCR, Louise Boisvert, who served as our guide.
Our visit began at the Mount Royal, the high point after which the city of Montreal is named. There is a grand overview of the city’s skyline from the portico of the Mount Royal Chalet. Inside the chalet is a pantheon of paintings by Canadian artists that depict the history of the city beginning in the sixteenth century.
Next, we found our way to the old part of the Montreal where we enjoyed brunch at a famous steakhouse located in a beautiful century-old building. One might have been in Paris! And we had plenty of opportunity to speak French as well.
Then on to the Pointe à Callière Museum where the historical and the archaeological beginnings of Montreal, including artifacts from the area’s indigenous peoples, are displayed and described.
We walked the streets of the Old City until it was time to return home, leaving for a future visit some of the items on our ambitious agenda. Based on this first AFLCR excursion, we will surely be offering others. Watch for announcements and/or suggest some to us!
—Marjorie London
Itinerary
7:00 am: Depart from Alliance Française, 43 King St., Burlington
Enter Montreal over the Champlain Bridge. In June 2019, Montreal celebrated the opening of this 3.4-kilometer bridge, one of the largest and busiest in North America. Spanning the St. Lawrence River and its international shipping channel, it is a vital thoroughfare for both goods and people.
9:30 am: Mount Royal Chalet, 1260 Chemin Remembrance
At the summit of Montreal’s namesake mountain is the Mount Royal Chalet. With its iconic architecture, it’s part of the city’s heritage, and a perfect vantage point for viewing the city skyline.
Outside, the stone façade features large windows and elegant doors, while the adjoining Kondiaronk Belvedere lookout affords a breathtaking vista of downtown Montreal and the Monteregian Hills in the distance. Inside, large-scale paintings depict the history of Montreal by Canadian artists, including Marc-Aurèle Fortin, Paul-Émile Borduas, and Edwin H. Holgate. Exposed beams decorated with carved wooden squirrels, chandeliers, and a large fireplace complete the rustic scene.
Parking: $3 to $3.75 per hour.* Parking kiosks accept credit cards.
10:30 am: Depart for Old Montreal
Park at the Old Port of Montreal, 333 de la Commune West, Old Montreal. Parking costs $25 per car per day.
11:00 pm: Vieux-Port Steakhouse, 39 Saint Paul Street East
We stopped here for brunch. According to its website, “The quality of our meat has made us famous while our welcoming service, attentive staff, and classic décor made us a must in Montreal. Located directly on St. Paul Street in a superb century-old building, Vieux-Port Steakhouse will charm you with its authentic stone walls, hardwood floors, and cozy fireplaces.”
1:00 pm: Musée Pointe-à-Callière, 350 Place Royale
The Pointe-à-Callière Museum of archaeology and history was founded in 1992 as part of Montreal’s 350th birthday celebrations. The museum exhibits artifacts from the region’s First Nations that illustrate how the cultures coexisted and interacted. Other displays show how the French and British influenced the history of this territory over the years. In 1924 Pointe-à-Callière was designated a Montreal’s Birthplace National Historic Site. Admission: Adult (31 to 64) $25, senior (65+) $24 (valid ID required)
4:00 pm: walk to Rue Notre-Dame
5:00 – 7:00 pm: Free time for shopping and dinner
Farewell to Montreal, return to Burlington via Pont Jacques Cartier
We hope you had a wonderful day!
Nous espérons que vous avez passé une merveilleuse journée!
*Costs are in Canadian dollars
Photos @Wikimedia Commons