Things to do in Montréal

Montréal stands on an island in the Saint Lawrence. It was founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, and it is the largest mostly French-speaking city in the Americas. The tours here are self-guided walks, played on a phone.

Old Montréal

Old Montréal is the riverside quarter of stone streets and New France. Almost everything here lies within a short walk.

• Place Jacques-Cartier and Champ-de-Mars. The cobbled square by City Hall, and the open ground behind it.
• Notre-Dame Basilica. The main church of the old town, by Place d'Armes.
• Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel. A small chapel near the river.
• Marché Bonsecours. A silver-domed market hall.
• The Old Port. The waterfront, with La Grande Roue turning above it.

Downtown and Chinatown

Victoria Square and Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral mark the way from the old town into downtown. Chinatown lies north, around Parc Sun-Yat-Sen. The old red-light district, Monument-National and the Place des Arts follow on the same route.

How the walks differ

• Scavenger hunts. Two hours through Old Montréal and more than ten sights.
• Puzzle walk. About 95 minutes through the old town, starting at Place Jacques-Cartier.
• Prohibition quest. A 90-minute noir story over 2.6 kilometres, through Chinatown to the Place des Arts.
• Audio-guide app. Walking and driving routes, with commentary in English and Spanish.

Practical

• Weather. January days reach only -5C and nights fall to -13C, with over two metres of snow a year. July days average 27C.
• Getting around. The old town, Chinatown and downtown link on foot. The metro covers the rest, and downtown buildings connect underground, which helps in January.
• Games. No start time and no guide. Pause, take a photo or stop for a coffee, and carry on. One ticket per player is advised, though a phone can be shared.
• Language. French is the official language, and many people also speak English.
• Tipping. A tip of 15 to 20 per cent is usual in restaurants.