Montreal is often regarded as Canada’s most flamboyant city, offering an irresistible blend of traditional French flair and cosmopolitan creativity. With a long history of immigration, the city first thrived as a major fur trading post, then grew through 19th-century industrialisation, and later became a post-war haven for those escaping prohibition in the US. Today, Montreal is a vibrant melting pot of cultures, providing both residents and visitors with an eclectic mix of cultural and culinary experiences.

The city sits at the meeting point of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers — Montreal itself is actually an island — with its suburbs spreading out from Mont Royal, a large central hill and civic park, towards the surrounding waterways. The historic heart of the city, Old Montreal, lies near the waterfront, where cobbled streets and grand stone buildings evoke the charm of 16th-century France. Key landmarks include the stunning Basilica Notre-Dame and the lively Place Jacques Cartier, while charming cafés, boutiques, and galleries line the surrounding streets.