Montreal

Carolyn and I recently traveled to Quebec for a nine day holiday. Leaving on June 3rd at 10:30 pm, we flew the red-eye to Toronto for a two hour layover and then on to Montreal. Arriving around 8 am EDT, we grabbed our Hertz rental and headed into the city. After a few wrong turns as we tried to find our way on one-way, narrow streets with an inadequate map, we found Hotel Bonaparte up a small little lane. Luckily for us, our room was available so we parked the car, dropped off our bags, and headed out to walk the old part of the city.

About two blocks from the St. Lawrence river, we explored cobblestone streets lined with hanging flower baskets, alleys holding art displays, and galleries. Making our way to Cartier Plaza, we had lunch at Jardin Nelson's, an outdoor cafe (one of many), and enjoyed a glass of wine along with crepes that were made more like quesadillas than enchiladas. Mine were filled with gruyere cheese, ham and asparagus.


Montreal's Cartier Plaza 


Lunch at Jardin Nelson 


Hanging Baskets in Montreal 


We passed on taking a horse-drawn carriage around the area and just walked. Stopped in the lobby at the Hotel de Ville which is actually Montreal's City Hall. Grand multi-veined marble floors and wonderful stained glass windows in the City Hall chambers.


Montreal's Cartier Plaza 

Dinner was at a small restaurant where I had Buffalo tournedos which were quite good. At many of the small restaurants, the host/hostess stands outside and encourages you to dine with them. Sort of like a pleasant carnival barker.

Saturday morning, we breakfasted at the Hotel Bonaparte and then went over to check out Notre Dame before heading to Mt. Tremblant in the early afternoon. The cathedral was dark with elaborately carved wood, a 7,000 pipe organ, and a statue laden backdrop to the main altar area. Behind the cathedral was a newer chapel used for more intimate weddings, etc. (the main cathedral sits over 3,000) which had a 20 ton bronze modern sculpture which intended to depict the three stages of life: birth; conversion; and, death.


Montreal Notre Dame Chapel