The City
Though Montreal island is a large 51km by 16km, the heart of the city is very manageable, and is divided into Vieux-Montreal - along the St Lawrence River - a downtown high-rise business core, on the south side of the hill of Mont Royal, and the lively Plateau and Quartier Latin neighbourhoods to the east. Sherbrooke, de Maisonneuve, Ste-Catherine and Rene-Levesque are the main east-west arteries, divided into east ( est ) and west ( ouest ) sections by the north-south boulevard St-Laurent, known locally as "The Main". Street numbers begin from St-Laurent and increase the further east or west you travel: thus 200 rue Sherbrooke ouest is about three blocks west of the Main and 1000 boul Rene-Levesque est is about ten blocks east of the Main. North-south street numbers increase north from the St Lawrence River. You're most likely to start by sampling the old-world charm of Vieux-Montreal . The narrow cobblestoned streets, alleys and squares are perfect for strolling, and every corner reveals an architectural gem, from monumental public edifices to the city's first steep-roofed homes. Close by, the Vieux-Port holds the new iSci centre and is a departure point for getting out on the water. To the north, in the compact downtown area, the glass frontages of the office blocks reflect Victorian terraces and the spires of numerous churches, clustered within the shadow of the city's landmark, Mont Royal , which the residents simply call "The Mountain". Meanwhile, the mountain's eastern plateau is the spot where the city's pulse beats fastest as the eateries and bars of The Main throng with people day and night. On the city's outskirts the enormous Stade Olympique complex and the vast green of the Jardin Botanique are the main pull. Beneath street level the passages of the Underground City link hotels, shopping centres and offices with the Metro.
Your Tip for Montreal
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