Welcome to Montreal!
Montreal,
Canada's second largest city, is truly cosmoplitan, bilingual (English
and French), multicultural, bustling with life, and so much more. It
has a modern city centre with impressive skyscapers, a charming
old-town including a history-rich port, and trendy areas near downtown
that exhibit the city’s characteristic low-rise dwellings and curving
outdoor staircases.
English or French?
Wherever
you go, it is very likely that people address you in French. As long as
you stay in the tourist areas or you deal with stores and restaurants,
responding in English is no problem and people will immediately switch
to English. However, if you go to the French speaking areas of Montreal
or you leave the Montreal island, you show courtesy and respect if you
first ask whether English is spoken (in French: "Parlez-vous anglais?")
Some useful links to plan your stay in Montreal, Quebec and Canada.
Montreal:
Quebec:
Canada:
Some suggestions of what to see in Montreal
- the
mountain is definitely worth it; you'll have a great view of
downtown Montreal and far beyond -- and it gives you a workout...
- another
way to exercise and get to know Montreal is to rent a bike at the old
port and bike along the Lachine canal (there is a bikepath with
wonderful view on the river at the tip of the island)
- when you come from Europe or a small town:
- stroll through downtown Montreal, visit the Plateau (quartier north of downtown), visit Chinatown
- when you come from a large North American, Asian, Australian city:
- go to old Montreal and the port, visit the Plateau
If you have more than 2 days extra before or after the conference
- for all: visit one of the national parks; if you want advice on canyoing contact Bettina Kemme (kemme@cs.mcgill.ca)
- for non-Europeans: visit Quebec City