DK Travel : Montréal and Québec City

Situated on the mighty St Lawrence River, the sights of these two cities captivate visitors with their history, culture and festivity. Not only were they both major players in the foundation of Canada but their portside locations have kept them at the heart of international commerce, resulting in a harmonious blend of heritage architecture and exciting modern venues that charm all those who come to Canada’s “belle province.”

Piste du P’tit Train du Nord

A former rail track has now been turned into a 200-km (125-mile) hiking, cycling and cross-country ski trail. The train once took weekenders to the Laurentian mountains from Montréal at the southern end to Mont-Laurier on the northern extreme.
Place Bonaventure

More than 135 shops that sell merchandise from all over the world, plus restaurants, cinemas, banks, a post office and a supermarket can be found at this vast complex.
Place de la Cité

Southwest of town you will find shopper’s heaven where three upscale malls converge. It has the largest concentration of exclusive boutiques in Québec, and also features a produce market and restaurants.
Place de la Famille

Set on the expansive Plains of Abraham, Québec’s Winter Carnival team of 1,500 volunteers builds a fantasyland of ice and snow. Designers assemble a range of energy-filled games and contests across the city’s landscape that keep body temperatures high, no matter what the thermometer outside is reading.
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville

In the 18th century this square was the site of the Notre-Dame market and is still a popular gathering place for locals. During the summer it is often jammed with visitors who come to enjoy free music concerts and performances by local actors. The Romanesque architecture, as seen in the Hôtel de Ville (town hall) immediately beside the square, lends the area an imposing air.
Place des Arts, Montréal

This is the cultural centerpiece of Montréal. Five modern venues and an outdoor plaza house countless performances and are permanent homes to the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Opéra Montréal and the Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal. It is also the seasonal home of the International Jazz Festival of Montréal, Festival Francofolies and Festival Montréal en lumière (see Festivals and Events).
Place Jacques-Cartier & Place de la Dauversière

Two famous names in Canadian history have beautiful squares directly across from each other. Place Jacques-Cartier (see Place Jacques-Cartier, Montréal) celebrates the French discoverer of Canada (see Jacques Cartier), while Place de la Dauversière honors Jerome le Royer, Sieur de la Dauversière of La Flèche in Anjou, France. Dauversière was the Royal Tax Collector whose idea it was to build a colony here, eventually called Ville-Marie.
Place Jacques-Cartier, Montréal

The magnetic center of VieuxMontréal, this square offers a variety of stores, clubs and restaurants, whilst being enlivened by street performers and horsedrawn calèche rides. This is a wonderful spot to arrange meetings, take breaks from sightseeing, sit in the sun with a good book or simply people-watch. Look out for an entertaining troupe called the Old Montréal Ghost Trail located just south of the square, who offer tours of the city’s eerier past (see Place Jacques-Cartier & Place de la Dauversière).
Place Montréal Trust

Place Montréal Trust boasts the highest spouting water fountain in North America at 30 m (100 ft) and exclusive fashion outlets.
Place Québec

Just outside Porte Kent, this bustling complex is the home of up-scale shops, restaurants and cinemas.