The Montreal Lowline

This post and its associated photos are around two years old, but remarkably little has changed along the route. I wasn’t able to find the time and to finish it off until now, but better late than never! This is also the first of a three-part series. In the second part, we’ll move our focus...

Parc Frederic-Back

It delights me every time I discover a hidden gem buried in Montreal’s less well trodden neighbourhoods. The latest such example was the result of a random bike ride, in which I just happened to intersect an ex-quarry turned landfill turned rather nice park. You can read about Parc Frederic-Back at the official site (French),...

Yet Another Snowstorm

It feels every year I have to write something about Montreal’s most punishing Winter days. Being a relatively recent newcomer to Canada, I’m still impressed by the extremes of cold and snow which the local climate can achieve. Quite the juxtaposition to the grey and damp Winters of London I became accustomed to for most...

Fate of the Orange Line

As any user of Montreal's Orange Line will be able to tell you, it's starting to become overcrowded, particularly on the Eastern branch. Will it improve or worsen? Let's have a look. There are two main challenges which await (or potentially await) the Orange Line over the coming years: The knock-on effect of the REM...

From River to Mountain

“La Promende Fleuve-Montagne” (The River-Mountain Promenade) was one of several gifts from outgoing mayor Denis Coderre to himself. A very expensive present, mind you ($55.3 million according to the Montreal Gazette). Paid for with tax payers’ money, and me being one of those aforementioned taxpayers, I reckoned I technically owned at least half a paving...

A Visit to Place des Montréalaises

Last year, I took a short visit to the new park near Montreal’s latest super-hospital. The neighbourhood around Champ-des-Mars Metro station used to be incredibly run-down, and not at all pleasant. As one of the two stations providing access to the Old Town, visitors were greeted with a dirty overpass, followed by a seedy subway...

The Fifth Lookout

Things change in Montreal. It wasn’t long ago that the city’s mountain had just four well known lookouts, now it has a fifth, the “Belvédère Outremont”. To be honest, I’m not sure how long this lookout has been there, nor how long it’s had official status, but it does seem it’s been factored into Montreal’s...

Up Above the Streets and Houses

I don’t think I’ve made any great secret on this blog about my affection for Montreal. I also love a good view, and Montreal is full of vantage points to take in a panoramic eyefull. Spending a year living in the City’s West End, my apartment afforded a pretty nice perspective on the Downtown core and...

A Day Underground Part I

(note: the embedded Tweets in this post may not show up if you're viewing this on a mobile device.) Last year, I said I was going to spend a whole day underground for a laugh. And I did; I spent a full 9-5 workday in Montreal's underground city, the so-called "RÉSO". As promised I live tweeted the experience, but...

Monkland Village

   Since I've been in Montreal, like many visitors I'd focused myself on the Francophone side of the city. I'd asked my flatmate, @rbouskilla, for recommendations of places to visit in the Anglophone quater. On his suggestion, a chilly winter morning took @marilou99 and I West, to the village of Monkland.   You can get to Monkland by taking...