Although Montreal is often compared to Paris, this cultural metropolis is very much its own distinct city. It has much of the Gallic charm associated with Paris: the French language, fine restaurants, historical buildings, lively streets and sidewalk cafes. But many visitors find Montreal more casual and friendly than its European counterpart.
A truly multicultural city with an international population, Montreal is a place unto itself and one of the most memorable urban destinations in North America.
Montreal is easy to love. The city has been a hotbed of talent for decades, with acclaimed success stories such as Cirque du Soleil; writers Adam Gopnik and Mordecai Richler; and popular musical artists Leonard Cohen and Arcade Fire. The legendary bed-in with John Lennon and Yoko Ono took place at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in 1969.
Between Old Montreal with its ambling cobblestone streets and new Montreal with its clusters of neighborhoods, the diversions are many. An easy public transportation system and an underground path system dubbed the RESO make this city a year-round destination.
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