DK Travel : Montréal and Québec City : History & Culture

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Gay Village

Montréal is a gay-friendly city, so much so that one of the most festive parades each year belongs to this expanding community. Located between rue St-Hubert and avenue Papineau, the Village is alive with activity around the clock. Restored homes mix with contemporary condominiums to create a diverse and exciting area attracting visitors from around the globe – Montréal will even be the site of Gay Games VII in 2006.
Hôtel de Ville

Montréal’s town hall was a gracious Second Empire-style edifice built between 1872 and 1878 by architect Henri-Maurice Perrault (1828–1903). Damaged by fire in 1922 it was rebuilt a year later in Beaux-Arts style, inaugurated in 1926 and is still used for its original function. It is possible to visit the interior and City Council sessions, open to the public on Monday nights at 7pm. It offers one of the most extravagant sights each evening when its array of lights illuminate the night sky (see Hôtel de Ville, Montréal).
Hôtel de Ville, Montréal

While visiting Montréal’s World Fair in 1967, French president Charles de Gaulle made history from the balcony of this building by announcing “Vive le Québec – Vive le Québec Libre !” (“Long Live Québec – Long Live Free Québec”), proving his support for the province’s separation from the rest of Canada (see Musée de la Civilisation de Québec). Sign up for a guided tour to fully enjoy the grace of this historic town hall (see Hôtel de Ville).
Jacques Cartier

French explorer Cartier followed Basque fishing routes up the St Lawrence River, claiming “discovery” of Canada for King François I of France in 1534. He continued up the river in 1535 to land at the village of Hochelaga, where he named its mountain Mont Royal (see Parc du Mont-Royal).
James McGill

A monument to the university’s founder.
Jardins Jeanne d’Arc

An equestrian memorial of the French heroine is surrounded by gardens.
La Citadelle

Strategically perched on the precipice of Cap Diamant with a full 360-degree view, this powerful bastion would daunt the bravest of enemies approaching the riverside city. All you need to do is attend one of its summertime cannon-firing demonstrations to appreciate the persuasive power of this mighty fortress (see La Citadelle, Québec City).
La Citadelle, Québec City

The colossal fortification was originally built by Royal Engineer Dubois Berthelet de Beaucours in 1693. The complete star-shaped bastion seen today however is primarily the work of English Colonel Elias Durnford, constructed between 1820 and 1832 (see La Citadelle, Québec City).
La Foule Illuminée

This sculpture by Raymond Masson fronts the Banque Nationale de Paris.
Marché Bonsecours

Built on the site of John Molson’s British American Hotel, this greystone Neo-Classical building has a rich history. It once housed the Parliament of Canada, Montréal’s temporary City Hall and was even a theatrical venue for Charles Dickens when he acted at the Theatre Royal in 1842. Today it is home to a smart shopping center, and its plethora of designer boutiques, art exhibitions and souvenir shops attract a continuing influx of visitors under its shining dome (see Marché Bonsecours, Montréal).