Réflexions sur Montréal

For my final day in Montreal I started by visiting the Écomusée Du Fier Monde – a museum about the social conditions and industrial history of an area of Montreal.  However this was the first place that I Have been to where it was only in French – there was a guide book for the main exhibition in English to help, but the poster exhibition – who knows?

I then headed (through the rain) to Old Montreal (the guidebooks say never to call it Old Town – everyone knows that Old Town is in Swindon!).  I visited both Chateau Ramsey (which is one of the oldest buildings in town) and the Musée Marguerite-Bourgeoys – a museum about an old church and its founder, including a viewing platform which gave great views out over the harbour.

Next I went for a walk around both Old Montreal and the Old Harbour.  During this I had a look round the Bonsecours Market (which is a very impressive building) and went up the many steps of the harbour clock tower.

I concluded my time with a visit to two separate art galleries.  DHC/ART foundation is a free gallery which had a display which included the use of old computer punch cards in art.  The Musée d’Art Contemporain was bigger (but charged) and included a current exhibit on abstract art, mainly from local artists.

Leaving the museum I came across a free concert going on in the street across the road.  This was a group led by a girl playing rock-type music on an Electric Harp.  She was obviously in charge of the boys playing with her and was at some times almost conducting them as well as playing the harp and singing – very impressive!  Good music too.

Overall I really enjoyed my time in Montreal.  There is a lot to see (as you can tell by what I have written on the past few entries) and getting round to see it all was aided by buying a museums pass.  This gave entry to over 35 different attractions (and 3 days of public transport) which meant I did not need to worry about paying for things after buying the card (apart from the Olympic tour which was not part of it).  Having free entry meant I went into places that I might not have otherwise done, such as the Biodome and Chateau Ramsey.  I think I got good value out of it! 

One of the different things is that French is the main language, indeed sometimes the only language in Montreal.  Indeed I would say that the people are more “French” than just Canadians who speak French (if that makes any sense!). 

It was particularly interesting to see the Olympic park and stadium (the 4^th Olympic Stadium I have been to!) in this Olympic year – definitely shows some of the legacy challenges that London will now be facing.  All in all lots of interesting things to see and do – was well worth a visit.