A Street View of Montreal's Old Montreal Photo Credit: Googel Street View

Montreal's Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal)

Walking into Old Montreal is like taking a trip into Montreal's past. You will be greeted by colonial houses, narrow cobblestone streets and many impressive churches. It is considered one of the oldest urban areas in North America and contains some buildings that go as far back as the 1600s. Many guided tours around the Old Montreal are offered by local companies. Over the past couple of years, Old Montreal has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Montreal.

Museums and Churches in Old Montreal

Old Montreal is surrounded by various art galleries and shops. For those who are into history, the musée d'archéologie et d'histoire de Montréal Pointe-à-Callière is the place to visit. This museum chronicles the history of the city of Montreal. Part of the museum is even located on what was once Place Royale, a former market and the exact founding point of the city in 1642. Old Montreal is also home to two of Montreal’s most popular churches: The Basilique de Notre Dame and the Chapelle de Notre Dame de Bon-Secours.

Strolling down Old Montreal

The best way to discover Old Montreal is to simply take a stroll. You'll discover old stone houses, horse-drawn carriges (called callèche) and many pleasant shops, restaurants and pubs. Some of the important attractions that you are likely to come across include Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal City Hall, the Bonsecours Market, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel and Château Ramezay. Some of Old Montreal’s most popular streets for a stroll are Rue de la Commune and Rue Notre-Dame.

Old Montreal’s Streets

Old Montreal’s architecture and its cobbled streets have been restored to keep the old city look that you see today. The area Is filled with narrow streets that are lined with quaint coffee shops and stores. The old city also happens to have three main squares: Place des Armes, Place d'Youville and Place Jacques-Cartier.

Romantic Dinners in Old Montreal

Old Montreal also happens to have some of Montreal’s most romantic restaurants. These restaurants provide some intimate candlelit settings that feature open windows that provide beautiful views of the old city along with a warm breeze. A romantic dinner can always be followed with a walk along with the St. Lawrence waterfront.

Quays of the Old Port and Rue Saint Paul

Montreal’s Old Port (Vieux-Port) is located inside Old Montreal. The old port features a variety of activities, attractions and museums. If you're looking for souvenirs of Montreal, then you need to visit Rue Saint Paul. Rue Saint Paul is filled with boutiques, restaurants, boutique hotels, ice cream shops, clubs, galleries and souvenir shops.

Old Montreal's most popular Attractions and Monuments

Taking a stroll down Old Montreal feels like taking a stroll in a small European town. Below are some of the most popular attractions and monuments in Old Montreal: