Day 10 Montreal

Woke at 7:30 after a great sleep, but so hot. I only discovered the thermostat after breakfast, when I was sure I was going to pass out from heat stroke. The last person had it set at 27 C. It is now a gentle 17 C. which will possibly mean my clothes won’t dry as much as last night? Great selection of continental breakfast, with cold boiled eggs, limited tables and French spoken at every one.

After breakfast I sat down and made a list of what I wanted to see in one day. The receptionist had a GREAT map, which was so much better than mine. The hotel was only a 10 mins walk from one of the museums I wanted to see. At 10 I set off, rugged up against the 3 C weather. Within the first 2 minutes I helped a lady who tripped in a pavement hole, covered by autumn leaves. Nearly asked her what kind of pantyhose she had- not a run but she fell very hard. So I talked to her for a little while to make sure she was ok.

This is a lovely area, but then most of Montreal is lovely. It has a much better ambiance than Toronto, BUT it also has construction going on, causing traffic chaos and congestion and unlike Quebec these motorists are NOT patient. Horns blasting all the time and cars blocking lanes across traffic. The pedestrians are a nightmare, red simply means look before you go!

First stop was the Musee des Beau Arts. Very impressive set of buildings and some great displays. I concentrated on Canadian Art rather than ones I could see at home. Stopped for a cuppa at the end before setting off down the Rue Sherbrooke for the next museum. This time Musee McCord, which included a fabulous display of Indigenous apparel- the bead work was phenomenal. BLISS! Great photographic display and a display of life in Montreal.

Next stop another cuppa and late lunch at Tim Hortons. After a quick lunch, map in hand I set off for the long walk to the Notre Dame Basilica. WOW! The photos just don’t do it justice. It was very dark inside, but the blue and imported stain glass windows from Limoges were stunning. It actually has two chapels. The main one is spectacular, but don’t miss the rear one which is magnificent too. One is decorated with paint, the rear is simply amazing carved wood. Both incredible and worth the long walk.

Notre Dame Basilica

Notre Dame Basilica

Next a walk through the old town- so reminiscent of France- where I found another church worth visiting- Chapelle Notre Dame de Bon Secours. Gorgeous stain glass windows made in Canada and Trompe L’oeil ceiling. The ceiling was covered until recently when they had water damage and discovered the original ceiling beneath a covering of canvas. The chapel is specifically for sailors. Unfortunately because it was almost closing time I couldn’t go up to the towers. I wandered up Place Jacques Cartier and found the gallery of contemporary indigenous art work. Some great work.

Chapelle Notre Dame de Bon Secours

On my way back from Vieux Montreal, I found a gluten free cake shop!! 7 Grains Bakery and café. Lovely young man serving. I bought some chocolate sponge and maple syrup cake. (More later) The sun set as I was walking 4:30 and it was dark within 15 minutes. When I passed by a McDonalds  I stopped for fries and a cuppa and a rest, before setting off again in the dark but only on well-lit streets and there were hundreds walking along as offices were just closing.

So on the way home I got some great photos of Montreal by night. A very long walk of 8 kms but this time my legs were OK due to my pressure socks. Big difference. I arrived back at the hotel at 6 exactly and washed my clothes (bit stinky after walking all day) and sat in a hot bath eating the chocolate sponge. Well the cake didn’t last as long as the bath. Yummy.

Then it was time to settle down to download all today’s photos- many- and type up the diary.

Montreal is a great town. So much more to see another time. I don’t leave until 12:30 tomorrow, so I am thinking of walking up to the Mt Royal lookout, which would take about two hours to complete, but it depends on the weather. Might be rain tonight. No point in going up if the view is going to be cloudy.

GF cakes!