All through December we're showcasing the best of the holiday season in cities around the world. Today it's Christmastime in Montreal and
we've asked local experts for the essential ways to enjoy the winter's
best. Visitors and locals alike come together to celebrate the holidays
and the New Year, and we encourage you to share your own favorites with
us in the comments below. You can find all of the cities we've already
visited and stay up-to-date on the rest by bookmarking the series here. Sonya Kapigian, Head Concierge
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
- Start Christmas Eve by having breakfast at L'Express on St-Denis (Le Quartier Latin) and then visit the boutiques for finds from local designers, and explore the unique architecture only found in Montreal.
- Metro or take a taxi up to visit L'Oratoire St.Joseph on the Mountain and catch the special exhibit of the creches from around the world.
- Visit Ogilvy's, an upscale department store, to see the traditional Christmas windows. The mechanical windows have been a well-known tradition with Ogilvy and Montreal since 1947, when the first one was brought in from the Steiff Co. of Germany.
- Stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal, and take a calèche ride.
- Have dinner at Le Local (the hottest new restaurant in town, a collaboration of three local chefs).
- Go ice skating on the Old Port (day or at night--open until 10 p.m. most evenings).
Marie José Pinsonnault, Gestionnaire, Manager Media Relations
Tourisme Montréal
Marc-Olivier Chrétien, Chef Concierge
Hôtel Place d'Armes
Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile
Photo: imapix via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool.
Tourisme Montréal
- For the traditional Bûche de Noël and other Christmas delights such as fruitcakes, and Québec tourtière (meat pie), the Boulangerie Première Moisson bakery offers some great ones.
- In Quebecois cuisine, cretons is a pork spread made with onions and spices. Cretons are usually served with toast as part of traditional Quebecois breakfast.
- Christmas Eve at Notre-Dame Basilica. Mass is offered at 9:30 and midnight. A family Mass with traditional hymns, accompanied by a choir and pipe organ is at 7 p.m.
- Celebrate New Year's Eve with the ball drop outside at Place Jacques-Cartier.
Marc-Olivier Chrétien, Chef Concierge
Hôtel Place d'Armes
- Enjoy l'Orpailleur, voted one of the world's best Ice wines.
- End your evening at Les 2 Pierrots for a traditional Quebecois music experience.
- Eat poutine, a local dish, at Au Pied de Cochon or
Méchant Boeuf.
- Stroll McGill College Avenue and enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations.
- Walk on a snowy day through Mont-Royal Park.
Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile
- See the Nutcracker (Casse-Noisette), performed by the Grand Ballets Canadiens at Place Des Arts.
- Who is the real Santa Claus? This annual exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History highlights the origins of the different Santas around the world. St. Nicholas, Babushka, Befana, and the North American Santa explain how the holidays are celebrated in their parts of the world and attempt to convince visitors that they are the true Santa Claus.
- The year-round Noël Éternel Christmas boutique offers the finest in holiday decorations. For collectors, Noël Éternel has an impressive array of porcelain houses and accessories from Department 56 to create customized Christmas or Halloween villages. The store also offers Ne'Qua Art, Fontanini nativities, as well as Mattarusky's and Christopher Radko's lines of ornaments.
- Children flock to Santa's Village, located an hour north of Montreal in Val David, QC.
Photo: imapix via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool.
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I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://www.car-insurance-choices.com
I, too, enjoyed your article. I am planning a trip to Canada in 2009 for a fun vacation. I've found quote a bit of information on this site: http://www.topcanadianhotels.com/index.html . Its also marked as a "green hotel" which is a plus!
You are so lucky to be able to visit Montreal. You must have a good job. I could never go. I don't think they would let me in. By they, I do not necessarily mean the po po or the border patrol. I just felt that without a job I was beneath visiting a world class city. Thanks a lot Bush!
I’m a Montrealer, and those are greats suggestions. My top 3 are: breakfast at L’express (the pear compote on French baguette, Yummy!) Then take a walk on Mont-Royal Park and have dinner at Le Local.
Can any Montrealers recommend restaurants that would be open Christmas Eve/Christmas Day/Boxing Day? I'll be in from out of town and will likely be hunting for somewhere to eat. Thanks!