Old Montreal

October 19 2013

Old Montreal is located in the borough of Ville-Marie and is one of the oldest metropolitan areas in North America. Notre Dame Basilica towers over the Place d’Armes and whilst the Seine is missing, the voices around you tell you it is France. The signs of the Metro de Paris, the boulangerie, and the fromagerie are reminders –  this is the largest French speaking city in the world outside Paris. We wandered up the long street to Le Plateau, past the small children having fire safety lessons from the Montreal fireman – tiny tots speaking fluent French but then, without changing pitch, switching to chatter excitedly in English. To old Montreal, with cobbled stoned streets and stone buildings. The weather not incredibly cold yet but still a feeling that winter is coming. Past a gorgeous Christmas shop opposite Notre Dame, with the exquisite St Nicholas figurines clashing with the skeletons, pumpkins, witches and danger signs draped over shops and houses. A lovely, leisurely lunch at Olive and Gourmando and a totally fantastic Panini with raw milk cheese. A very long walk back along the river past Montreal’s port and through the industrial area. Definitely not pretty. I haven’t really connected with this city but hopefully soon.