Montreal remains a stunningly beautiful and lively city. Parks, markets, shops, and immediately recognizable landmarks (such as the 1976 Olympic stadium) make the city familiar even to first-time visitors. Photographers especially enjoy Montreal for the diverse cultures, architectural styles, and public art that mix in the city. Heading to Quebec for a Montreal vacation will leave travelers with great memories and crisp, interesting photographs.
Historic Sightseeing on a Montreal Vacation
Montreal’s historic districts and buildings make some of the most popular photographs. Heading to the Old Port (Vieux Montreal), photographers will find many picture-perfect sights including:
- Notre-Dame Basilica: The Gothic Revival building leads from an ornate exterior to an exquisite interior. (100 Notre Dame St. West)
- City Hall: The expansive City Hall makes a particularly appealing picture in its evening frame of colored lights. (275 Notre-Dame St. East)
- Vieux Montreal: Montreal’s old town features cobbled streets, stone buildings, and plenty of history. Rue de la Commune, Place Jacques Cartier, and Place de la Grande-Paix are all bustling Montreal public spaces that will appeal to the photographer’s eye.
Impressive Montreal Landmarks to Photograph
Montreal rates as one of North America’s more important centers and the second-largest French-speaking city in the world. It’s no wonder that the 1976 Summer Olympics, 1967 World’s Fair, and the Canadian Grand Prix have all called Montreal home.
- Olympic Stadium: Built for the 1976 summer Olympic games, Montreal’s Olympic Stadium still cuts an impressive profile in east Montreal, in the Maisonneuve neighborhood. (4545 Pierre-de-Coubertin Ave.)
- Biosphere Environment Museum: The cage-like sphere in Parc Jean-Drapeau was built for the 1967 World’s Fair, also known as Expo 67. The steel structure now houses a water ecosystem museum run by Environment Canada. (160 Chemin Tour-de-l'Isle)
Montreal’s Favorite Natural Landmarks
As with many island cities, Montreal packs great density into a small region. The metropolitan side of Montreal enhances a visitor’s appreciation for the green spaces that create oases in the city.
- Mont Royal: Set near the heart of Montreal’s downtown, Mount Royal Park provides endless photographic opportunities. Wide panoramas, quiet nature photos, and plenty of action shots make the destination a long-time favorite. (near McGill University campus)
- Montreal Botanical Garden: Themed gardens create an international feel. The gardens, buildings, and art make the park a perfect family destination with unending photo opportunities. (4101 Sherbrooke St. East)
Places to Capture the Montreal Lifestyle
Most famous about Montreal, perhaps, is the lifestyle the city nurtures. Comedy festivals, outdoor concerts, long-running markets, and the ever-present undercurrent of the Montreal Metro all provide an element of the cobbled city's soul. Most importantly, Montreal's diversity provides those special vacation moments that make the most memorable photographs.
Chloë Ernst - Chloë Ernst is a travel guidebook author who writes for Frommer's and Globe Pequot Press.
