Montreal

Downtown Montreal (photo courtesy of Tourisme Montreal, credit Stephane Poulin)

Montreal is the second largest French-speaking city in the world and it seamlessly blends old world charm with a modern North American metropolis.  Montreal – the city which Mark Twain once called “the city of 100 bell towers” – is renowned for its beautiful old churches and was originally formed as a Marian society consecrated in the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris in the early seventeenth century.  The original settlers were missionaries seeking to establish a religious outpost in New France.  Even after control passed to the French Crown, Montreal was directly governed by the Sulpician Fathers until well into the nineteenth century.

Montreal is also a renowned culinary and cultural destination.  It is famous for its poutine, wood-fired bagels, meat pies, and smoked meat.  In the course of a given year, Montreal hosts over 100 festivals and events including the Montreal Grand Prix (the only Formula 1 race in North America), the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.  These festivals often feature free outdoor events drawing thousands into Montreal’s streets.

Click here to begin your journey through Catholic Montreal.