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The south side of the Marche Bonsecours faces onto the Vieux-Port de Montreal , once the import and export conduit of the continent. When the main shipyards shifted east in the 1970s they left a vacant lot, which has since been renovated for public use, with biking, cross-country skiing and jogging paths and excellent exhibitions in the quayside hangars. At the Vieux-Port's easternmost point, the Tour de l'Horloge on the Quai de l'Horloge rises 51m above sea level. It was built in 1922 to commemorate the men of the Merchant Fleet who died in World War I; ships were recorded as having entered the harbour as soon as they had passed it. If you can stand the walk up the 192 steps leading to the observatory, you'll be rewarded with excellent views of the harbour, the St Lawrence Seaway, Vieux-Montreal, the Islands and Mont Royal. Westward, there's a small information centre (June to mid-Oct daily 8am-8pm; closed mid-Oct to June) located at the east corner of the Pavillon Jacques-Cartier , which is a good place to find out about weekend activities and performances portside. The main events of the Vieux-Port are clustered in and around the next hangar westward, the Quai King-Edward . There's an IMAX cinema here, with eye-popping films and a seven-storey-high screen (daily: mid-April to early Sept 10.15am-10.15pm; early Sept to mid-April closed on Mon; www.imaxoldport.com ; $11.95), and the Centre iSci , 2 rue de la Commune (daily 10am-9pm; www.isci.ca ; $9.95), an interactive science and entertainment complex that's heavy on new technology. A joint project between the federal government and private business, the cavernous centre cost $49 million to develop and is divided into three exhibition halls, focusing on themes of life, information and matter. The massive rooms contain little that will keep you occupied, but most kids will enjoy some of the hands-on exhibits, including one that lets you test your sense of smell. At the end of the pier itself there is a lookout point up a few flights of stairs, with explanatory panels showcasing a diorama of Vieux-Montreal and the Islands. The Vieux-Port is the major departure point for various boat trips . The best by far is the Jet Boat from the Quai de l'Horloge (May-Oct daily 9am-7pm; $45). Scooting through the Lachine Rapids, the boat trip will leave you wet, exhilarated and terrified. Meandering Bateau Mouches tours leave from the Quai Jacques-Quartier (May-Oct 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm; $20). The glass-topped boats offer lovely views of the surrounding islands and the river. Most tours last around two hours, though there are longer dinner cruises. If you want to take things at a more leisurely pace, there's the amphibus (May-Oct daily, times vary; $18) that leaves from in front of the IMAX cinema. In true James Bond style, it sails on water and drives along the streets of Vieux-Montreal.
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