Montrealers, who are used to extremely cold winters and very warm summers, have an exceptional sense of hospitality and joie de vivre that are reflected in the astonishing number of festivals held in the city in both seasons. The Just for Laughs Festival, the Jazz Festival and the World Film Festival are just a few examples. What’s more, each year the city hosts various other major events such as the FrancoFolies de Montréal.

Of course, it’s impossible to talk about life in Montreal without mentioning Canada’s national sport – hockey. As hockey’s birthplace, the city is proud to support its local team, the Montreal Canadiens, which belongs to the world’s most prestigious hockey league. And we shouldn’t forget the Alouettes, the city’s football team, whose games are also held downtown. In addition, Quebec boasts numerous superb golf courses, many of which are only minutes away from the city centre.

While sports play a major role in the city’s life, arts and culture are also front row centre. Almost every evening, over 65,000 seats await audiences in theatres and similar venues. As well, Montreal has more than 200 professional theatre troupes, a symphony orchestra and 32 museums, including the largest science museum in all of Canada. In short, the list of places to visit is more than impressive.  

The following are some useful links that will give you a glimpse of the variety of activities that put that extra spark in Montrealers’ daily routine:

Bell Centre: www.centrebell.ca

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (Montreal Symphony Orchestra): www.osm.ca

Montreal Science Centre: www.centredessciencesdemontreal.com

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: www.mbam.qc.ca

Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History (Pointe-à-Callière): www.pacmusee.qc.ca

Images Montréal: www.imtl.org