City: Lachine
Top Things to do in Lachine
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Things to do in Montreal, Canada: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Montreal, c’est si bon! This French-speaking city is considered the cultural capital of Canada, and is a cosmopolitan celebration of Québécois style. A horse-drawn carriage ride around the cobblestone streets and grand buildings of Vieux-Montréal will give you a taste of European flavor. The Basilique Notre-Dame is a confection of stained glass, and the Plateau Mont-Royal district will delight you with its quaint boutiques and cafés. Dig in to a massive plate of poutine to fuel up for a tour of the epic Olympic Park.
Restaurants in Montreal
1. La Tendresse by Paul Lancz
2. Place Jacques-Cartier
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 658 reviews
This lively Montreal plaza is a gathering place for natives and tourists, who enjoy the outdoor restaurants and performing peddlers.
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver, Canada
On our recent cruise stop in Montreal, we visited Place Jacques Cartier, about a 10 minute walk from the Grand Quai cruise ship terminal. Place Jacques Cartier is hilly so we found it most convenient to walk downhill on it from Rue Notre Dame, by City Hall/Chateau Ramezay, to Rue de la Commune by the waterfront. What's enjoyable about this square is that it is a wide pedestrianized street so many people can be there without feeling crowded. Musicians usually are at the top of the square performing while hoping to get either donations or money from CD sales. Listening to their music is very pleasant while browsing the many small kiosks that line the square and are filled with art prints and souvenirs. Nearby cafes offer inside or outside seating at covered patio tables. The many containers filled with attractive seasonal plants adds to the pleasant stroll while benches placed under shade trees offer a chance to rest. There are several sights to visit on Place Jacques Cartier. At the top of the square is the monumental Nelson Column - so tall that it is very difficult to see its figure atop the high round pillar. The inscription on the plaque indicates the monument has been in this location since 1808 and was paid for from donations by Montrealers. Across Rue Notre Dame is another statue. This one honors Vanquelin, a French naval officer who defended Fortress Louisberg from the British, but it has only been in this spot since 1930. Just past the Nelson Column, at Rue le Royer, is the Governor's Garden. This free attraction is located behind the Chateau Ramezay (admission) and gives visitors a feel for the type of plants that would be grown in a colonist's garden. At the foot of Place Jacques Cartier, visitors can get a great photo of the Nelson Column and City Hall looming over the trees of this city square. At this point in the walk we returned to the walk along the waterfront rather than walking a few more blocks to visit the shops in the silver domed Bonsecours Market.The Grand Roue de Montreal - similar to the London Eye attraction - is on the waterfront. This section of the paved and attractively landscaped waterfront walkway to the Grand Quai cruise terminal takes only about 5 minutes. Place Jacques Cartier is a memorable square - don't miss it.
