Hello everybody! Welcome to my Photoblog. I'll take you on a trip to Montreal. One of the biggest cities in the province of Quebec. It has been seven years since I last touched down in this city. It was a short trip, originally en route to Barcelona.
I love this city more than anything. I think the city made me feel like I'm not in Canada. Its vibrant French culture, so different from the rest of Canada, makes it vastly unique.
NOTRE DAME BASILICA DE MONTREAL
My first stop was in this beautiful Basilica in the heart of Old Downtown Montreal. It is located at 110 Notre-Dame Street West, at the corner of Saint Sulpice Street. It is situated next to the Saint-Sulpice Seminary and faces the Place d'Armes square. To get there, I find it easier to use the Metro. It's within walking distance to McGill University, Ligne Verte through Lionel Groulx Station.
Renowned for its Neo-Gothic Architecture. The Basilica's architectural history serves as a religious and cultural landmaark for Quebec. Its intricate interior, mainly of woodwork and other artistic elements, such as the use of lights and paint that emphasizes its dark tone.
Check the photos below to witness the beauty of Gothic revival architecture.
Altar
TRAVEL ROUTE
I'm a fan of trains! Whenever I travel, I always take the metro system. It is one of the most reliable forms of transportation within the city. You can also take the taxi or bus if you're coming from the airport, navigating towards downtown. However, once you reach the downtown where the metro is accessible, I make sure I get to the metro.
Lionel Groulx is one of the main train stations that connects you to both lines of the Metro. So if you don't want to get lost, Lionel Groulx is your checkpoint. It is also one of the busiest quarters of the city. You'll find a vast array of restaurants around. It is also within the vicinity of UQAM (Université du Québec a-Montréal).
I took some snapshots of the area below. Interestingly, the remnants of the brutalist architecture silhouette are still present along the Montreal Metro,
THE VIEW
Roaming around the city is just spectacular. I visited Jardins Gamelin, along Rue Sainte-Catherine and Berri. It's one of the most festive districts of the city. This is home to the LGBTQ community, A rainbow display of balls suspended along the street, creating a colorful array from a distance. It's no surprise that Montreal's liveliness is rooted in its rich, vibrant culture coming together. In the spring, you will also witness Cherry Blossoms and some of the well-known public art in display.
Les Clochards celestes by Pierre-Yves Angers, 1983
The gardens usually held events, from concerts to community based event.
Some houses looking like a scene from Harry Potter
This beautiful entryway to the metro with its green lighting looks futuristic
The beautiful brutalist architectureand a play of light can create an amazing effect.
Old buildings
Gay Village
CHURCHES
Montreal is home to many Catholic Churches. From Gothic to modern churches, it is what makes Quebec unique from the rest of Canada. One of the well-known cathedrals I visited is the Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde. It is the third-largest cathedral in Montreal. It is free and within walking distance of Victoria Square. Its beautiful facade, designed in Baroque Style. The inspiration for the design is somewhat similar to the Vatican Basilica.
MOUNT ROYAL
The view from the top was spectacular. I've never been to a city that is built at the foot of a mountain. Mount Royal may not be a tall mountain, but navigating there seems like a long hike. This is one of the most iconic places in Montreal, or I would say in Canada. Mount Royal played a crucial role in shaping the history and cultural value of the city. It wasn't just a place for community gathering and ritual but also nature's habitat.
MUSEUM RUN
One fascinating aspect of Montreal is its impressive array of museums. I've only been to one of the museums, which was the Musee Imaginarium. It's an exhibition of art by 16+ creative artists, portraying their work with creative visuals and an immersive playground for visitors. Although this photo was taken in 2018, they change their exhibition every year, and I was lucky to witness this form of exhibition!
