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Home to Bishop’s University and College, this town is one of the few in Québec to remain predominantly English throughout the province’s political turmoil. The Uplands Cultural and Heritage Museum unveils its history.

Only an hour from the congestion of Montréal, the stunning Laurentian mountains north of the city provide an astounding list of activities. In summer there are endless opportunities to swim, fish, hunt, raft, horse-ride, play golf, mountain climb, or just relax in the sunny rural setting. Winter brings the chance to ski (downhill or cross-country), go tobogganing or snowboarding, or ice climb (see Les Laurentides).

Italian Canadians provide another spice of life to Montréal’s ethnic blend and make up the largest immigrant community, tracing their presence in the city back to the early 19th century. Boulevard Saint-Laurent provides the Italian version of café society in a stream of cafés and restaurants, but Little Italy proper is defined by the borders of rue Jean-Talon, rue Saint-Zotique, rue Marconi and avenue Drolet. Here you can indulge in the most authentic pasta, pizza and strong espresso coffee.

Benedictine monks founded this monastery overlooking Lac Memphrémagog in 1913. Their Gregorian chants take place daily at 5pm.

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).

A walk through the alluring Marché Jean-Talon tempts the senses with a profusion of fresh market fare, imported Italian gourmet luxuries and homemade marvels from traditional local kitchens. Fresh produce is brought to market by dozens of farmers from outlying regions, together with discerning local importers. Also inside the market area is the Marché des Saveurs du Québec, which departs from the Italian theme and presents a line up of specialties from Québec Province.

The single most important First Nations (native Canadian) collection of artifacts in Québec is on permanent display at the McCord Museum, and includes the most extensive library of costumes and textiles in Canada. Perhaps the most thrilling attraction is the Notman Photographic Archives, which record life in Montréal, Québec and Canada from 1840 to 1935. Over one million pictures are preserved, identified and housed in over 200 albums, which experts around the world use for research purposes.

A remarkable campus spreads itself over 80 lush acres of the Downtown district. The land was a bequest from Scottish fur-trader James McGill in 1821 and was chartered by King George IV. Fine examples of Victorian architecture mix easily with the contemporary bustle of student life, making the 80 buildings on campus a testament to McGill’s personal dream and a city’s passion for education – McGill’s School of Medicine has one of the finest reputations in the world. With over 30,000 students active around the city center McGill is considered an integral contributor to the dynamics of this handsome neighborhood.

The traditional home of the Abenaki native people, this lush area in the western corner of Cantons de l’Est was the first refuge for Loyalist settlers crossing into Canada after the American Revolution.