Montréal, Canada is truly la belle ville! Art and culture is visible everywhere, the food scene is magical, and the city walking is supreme. Don't even get me started on the metro stations and their beautiful tile and artwork. It's a city trip I take at least once a year. Here are some of the classic, must stop spots in Montréal:
Part 1: MILE END
If this is your first time to Montréal, or your twentieth, you will absolutely wind up in the Mile End neighbourhood. I love hearing the buskers play music in Laurier metro station on the way into the neighbourhood. Grabbing a still-warm bagel at St. Viateur is a must (sesame for me, please), and so is wandering the area to take in some beautiful buildings and retail windows.
I like to stop in for an espresso at the one-and-only Café Olympico, where the servers (I think they'd hate being called baristas) behind the bar know all the locals names and the coffee comes in small glass cups. Soccer on the TVs, newspaper clippings on the walls - no third wave here, and you'll like it!
Browsing the top notch selection of books and graphic novels at Librarie Drawn + Quarterly is always a highlight too, over the years I've found some of my favourite art books there, they have kept me such good company in the studio.
Maybe you'll be lucky and Puces Pop or Expozine will be happening in the neighbourhood too!
OLD PORT
The Montréal Old Port is chock full of old world charm, beautiful stone buildings that are 400 years old, and cobblestone streets. It is also understandably full of tourists and gift shops. At times, a horse and carriage showing some folks around might go past. This may or may not be your jam. But listen: even if you are a traveller who tries to avoid tourist spots like the plague, one of my favourite experiences ever is in Montreal's old port: the Bota Bota spa-sur-l'eau!
It is right on the harbour, with gorgeous open-air hot tubs and saunas and also on a restored yacht, in view of Habitat 67 and also a crumbling old warehouse. I think it's one of the more amazing urban views you'll ever see, especially from the inside of a hot pool. To me, it's stunning. Sometimes a freight train goes by!? I never, ever miss out on spending an afternoon or evening in this amazing place when I'm in Montreal...but then, I've never met a hot spring I didn't like. This one might just be the best of the best, though.
And my Polish background insists that I mention you should stop in at Stash Polish Cafe for some amazing Polish food in a really unique space. It's old-school and worth it - try the Zurek soup!
Part 3: Riding the Metro
Montréal's metro system is a Canadian gem. If the whole thing isn't already a UNESCO World Heritage site, it should be.
They started building it in the 60s, and filled it chock full of public art at every station. There is stained glass, there are concrete chandeliers, there are tile mosiacs and more all under the surface. They filmed a movie in Place St Henri metro station once upon a time.
These days I make a point to get off at a stop I've never been to before just to see what the upper part of the station looks like. There's lots of books and guides about the Montréal Metro if you're curious - here's one on the system's art. It will take you everywhere walking won't, so don't forget: il fait beau dans l'Metro.
Design-related shops to visit
Luminaire Authentik
Made in Canada minimalist lighting store, a treat for designers
Paperole
An art and design boutique run by graphic designers
L'Affichiste
Original posters for your walls, always worth a browse.
Canadian Centre for Architecture Bookstore
If you have interest in publications and books on art, architecture, urbanism, and design this is a can't miss. The CCA's exhibitions are fascinating too!
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*That's it for now, but this travelogue/guide will be updated over time! Feel free to check back!
