When you think about going to Europe, you often think of Paris first. It’s famous for its beautiful buildings, long history, and lovely mood and no one does not want to visit Paris.
But if you want a place like Paris without spending a lot on a long flight, Montreal in Canada is a great choice. It has a mix of European beauty and a North American style. In this blog, we will cover why you should visit Montreal instead of Paris.
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Why Visit Montreal Over Paris?
Montreal is the world’s second-biggest city where people speak French. It has a special mix of European style and the friendly feel of North America. Paris is famous for being fancy and elegant, but Montreal is more relaxed and easy to enjoy. You should see the Old Town in Montreal, with its old stone roads and buildings from the 1600s. Montreal also has exciting art and culture, tasty food like in France, and nice people.
Top Things to Do in Montreal
Visit Old Montreal: Begin your adventure in the city’s center. Here, you can stroll on streets paved with stones and look at old buildings. Make sure to see the well-known Notre Dame Basilica, a pretty church famous for its colorful glass windows and detailed wooden designs.
Go to Place des Armes:
This old square is important to see because of its pretty buildings and fun feel. Near this square, you can also go to the Vieux Séminaire de St-Sulpice, which is the oldest school for priests in Montreal and the oldest building there, and the big and beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica.
Discover Montreal’s Art:
Montreal is famous for its lively art and culture. Go to the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History to learn about the city’s past and old things found in the ground. You can also look around at the city’s art galleries and the art you find on the streets.
Here’s the list of art museums in Montreal with their locations and ticket prices:
- Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA): Located at 1380 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal. The museum has a large collection of art, including European Masters and special exhibitions. Ticket Price: General admission is around $15 for adults, but prices may vary for special exhibitions and events.
- Pointe-à-Callière, Montreal Archaeology and History Complex: Found at 350 Place Royale, Old Montreal. This museum stands as the birthplace of Montreal and showcases the city’s history from its inception. Ticket Price: Adult tickets are $27, seniors (65+) are $24, with discounts for young adults, teenagers, and children.
- McCord Stewart Museum: Situated at 690 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal. It narrates Montreal’s history and its people through a vast collection of historical items. Ticket Price: General admission for adults is $20, $19 for seniors (65+), with reduced rates for students.
- Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC): Temporarily located at Place Ville Marie. Renowned for showcasing contemporary art from Montreal, Quebec, and internationally.
- Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA): Located at 1920 Rue Baile, Montreal. More than a museum, it’s also a research center focusing on the significance of architecture in society. Ticket Price: For adults is $10, and for seniors (65+), it’s $7. Free entry for students, children.
Try French Food:
Montreal is known for food that is like what you find in France. There are many places to eat that offer all kinds of French food, from the usual recipes to new versions. Don’t forget to taste the city’s well-known bagels and sandwiches with smoked meat.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to go to Montreal is up to you. Summer is when most tourists come because it’s warm and fun. If you like cooler weather and not too many people, spring or fall might be better. Winter is very cold, but the city looks beautiful with snow and has a happy feeling, making it a special time to be there.
Popular Places Around
Here are some popular places to visit in Montreal:
Montreal’s Underground City:
Montreal’s Underground City, or RESO, is a cool underground place. It’s a bunch of tunnels that connect places like train stations, stores, and restaurants. It’s really long, more than 33 kilometers (20.5 miles). It’s nice because you can walk around, shop, and eat without being too hot or too cold.
The Underground City is a big, cozy place where you can have fun indoors, no matter what the weather is like outside. It’s one of the things that make Montreal really special.
Montreal’s Botanical Garden:
A big, pretty garden in the city with more than 20,000 kinds of plants. It’s a quiet spot to relax.
Montreal’s Mont Royal Park:
A lovely park with paths for walking, places to have a picnic, and spots where you can see the city from up high.
Montreal in Canada is a great choice if you want to feel like you’re in Europe but don’t want to spend a lot of money getting there. It has a long history, lots of art and culture, and yummy food that is like what you find in France. Montreal is special because it feels both European and North American. If you like learning about the past, enjoying art, trying new foods, or being outside, Montreal has all of this. So, think about going to Montreal instead of Paris for your next vacation.