July 22-25, 2024 Montreal

 July  22-24, 2024  Playing Tourist in Montreal

Tuesday July 22, 2024 - First evening in Montreal was a do-nothing night.  Ate on the boat and took a quick look around the marina and surroundings but mostly just chilled.   Weather is crazy. Original forecast called for a decent day but as things developed some weird front is tossing bands of rain our way intermittently.

Getting ready to start our walk about in the old city

Classic tourist shot with La Grande Roue de Montreal in background. 
Installed in 2017 at the old port to commemorate Montreal's 375th anniversary

Wednesday July 23, 2024  More weather expected later in the day so decided to get some sightseeing started early.  Walked up to the Chateau Ramezay Museum.  One of the oldest remaining homes in Montreal it was built by then Governor Claude de Ramezay using his own design and personal fortunes. It was the first stone building in Montreal. He used it as a residence but also to conduct business. Nice gardens in the rear consisting of three period correct sections.  A formal garden in the center with kitchen gardens on either side - vegetable on one side and fruits and herbs on the other.  

The Ramezay house and museum. Originally a more imposing 2 story home. 

The Ramezay garden area - also originally much larger

Walked around the old quarter - through Jacque Cartier marketplace (he was not a founder of Montreal but in the 1500's he was the first one to sail this far up the St. Lawrence before it became unnavigable). Went by Notre Dame Basilica. I remember being awestruck by its interior during a high school French Club trip.  Built in the 1800's.  The smaller Notre Dame Chapel was another stop. This building dates to 1771 and is built over the site of the first chapel in Montreal dating to 1655.  

Front view of Notre Dame Chapel

Rear of Notre Dame Chapel facing the St Lawrence River
 where the statue of Mary beckons sailors after their safe voyage. 
Hence, it's referred to as the sailor's church.

And here is the Notre Dame Basilica

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Good croissants for breakfast at a pastry shop at the end of this alley

Montreal City Hall - just completed a renovation

Old City in Montreal

Severe weather alerts for the afternoon so decided to take the 2-hour Hop-On Hop-Off city bus tour.   A double decker bus so we sat up top in the open air.  Fun loop around the city and up around Mt Royal. Despite the ongoing squall warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings it still wasn't raining so we headed for refreshments at Brewsky's in the Bonsecour Market.  Decided to get the Petite Poutine to snack on.  The petite was huge and served us well for dinner.  Back on the boat we finally did get several bands of gusty winds and rain.  Our location in the marina next to a huge wall kept us well protected. 

Beer and poutine - Canada's national dish - fries, cheese curds and brown gravy

Thursday July 24, 2024   Washer and dryers were right next to our slip so presented the perfect opportunity for getting a few loads done in the AM.  Then on to more touring.  Our Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass was good for a second day and we decided to loop again.  Neither of us thought the tour guide on day one was overly impressive but the one for day two was much more thorough and informative.

Looking down on Montreal from Mont-Royal (Mount Royal...from which the name Montreal was derived)

More rain forecast for the afternoon so decided to hit the Pointe-a-Calliere Archeology and history of Montreal Museum.  The museum is built over the site of Villa-Marie, the first settlement in Montreal.  They did a major archeological dig of the area and then basically built a museum over the site.  Quite interesting to see evidence of the first settlements palisade, then continued evidence of building upon building being built over the site. They also do traveling museum displays with the current one being the Olmecs and other early Mexico Civilizations.  Never heard of Olmecs before seeing this display, but they were a civilization thousands of years before the Mayans. Developed several sites in lower Mexico. No written language so not much is really known about them, but they carved impressive large stone figures and intricate smaller stone ones. 

Samples of the Olmec displays.  The head in the center was a good 4' tall.

Raining by the time we were done in the museum and getting hungry so headed to Jardin Nelson for a nice meal out.  A petit pitcher of sangria to quench our thirst.  French Onion Soup and a Shredded Duck Confit Crepe for Martha.  Charcutiere Pizza for John.   Decided to head over to the Bonsecour market one last time and hit the Cave De Patisserie for some croissants for breakfast.  We'll be making an early departure with no time to grab them then.

Lots of hanging flower baskets inside the Jardin Nelson along with a jazz ensemble playing appropriate rainy day themed songs i.e. Singing in the Rain, Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, etc. 

The domed building is the Bonsecour Market - home to both Brewsky's and Cave de Patisserie