As a Seattle resident, I’m lucky to spend a fair amount of time in Canada. But most of my adventures have been contained to British Columbia, the most recent being a foray into Gabriola Island and Nanaimo. Not much French is spoken in BC, and it feels very Pacific Northwest. Not so in Quebec.
My road trip to Montreal was my first exposure to French-speaking Canada, and I enjoyed my time thoroughly. It’s the second largest city in Canada and the ninth largest in North America. Many times, it felt like Paris given the prominence of the French language. I loved the linguistic difference and was delighted that this city had a more pronounced international tone to it.
Markets and Food Galore
We stayed at the gorgeous boutique L Hotel in Old Montreal, and I highly recommend it for its charming, modern yet vintage vibe and convenient location to many nearby eateries and tourist attractions. Speaking of tourist attractions, some personal favorites include the stately Notre-Dame Basilica, Jean-Talon farmer’s market, Atwater farmer’s market, Qing Hua dumpling house, and Montreal Biodome (site of the 1976 Olympic Games) to name a few.
Probably my favorites were the farmer’s markets, where the produce and food looked just as good as it tasted. Yes, I’m spoiled having Pike Place Market within walking distance of my apartment in Seattle, but the markets in Montreal give Pike Place some serious competition! If you do visit Montreal, bring your appetite and a budget, as the markets and restaurants are definitely among the top attractions in the city.
Check out some photos from my few days in Montreal below!
Montreal Travel Photos
