Montreal

During the Formula 1 Grand Prix in early June, the city is positively overrun. The rest of the year, however, Montreal is a fairly calm and tranquil place – no doubt thanks to the many green spaces and parks along its shores. Hard to believe, but Montreal lies on an island in the middle of the mouth of the Ottawa River. A walk in Parc du Mont-Royal is highly recommended, as the summit of Mont Royal (to which the city owes its name, incidentally) offers an incredible panorama. No building in Montreal may be taller than this mountain, which makes the view of the surrounding countryside all the more impressive.

The old town along Rue Saint-Paul is well worth a detour and is reminiscent of European cities. Here you will find several museums, traditional bars and fine restaurants. When in Montreal – whether for lunch or as a midnight snack – be sure to try Québec’s signature junk food: poutine. Chips with gravy and cheese – a true culinary and traditional treat.

In summer Montreal hosts numerous festivals, including the Festival International de Jazz from 27 June to 6 July 2019, with many open-air concerts that are free of charge. In recent years, stars such as Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder have performed here. The programme for the next festival is sure to be just as promising.