Canadian Charms: A Tale of Two Cities

Left: Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours glows with candlelight. Right: Streets in the Old City could just as well be in Paris.

The Hotel Pierre du Calvet is a good and rare example of an eighteenth-century stone building. The inn is known for its cosseting charm, with fireplaces in many rooms and romantic décor. The cozy restaurant here is just the place for a celebration.

Though there are some tempting large stores in Montreal, the small boutiques have their own delights. Traditional shops that line the streets look as if they’re plucked right out of Paris. Left: Créations Nicole Moisan features lace from around the world–beautiful on its own or for trimming linens or curtains. Right: Another way to discover the city’s culture is through its cuisine. Diners savor authentic French flavors at Boucherie Charcuterie Alimentation Generale.

Open-air markets are as much a part of Montreal as any French town, with the added appeal of rich farmland surrounding the city and a diverse population that loves its food. Like a painter’s palette, the markets are alive with the bright greens, reds, yellows, and purples of the vibrant produce. There is as much to feed the eye as the stomach—ripe apples, mountains of carrots, flowers for the vase or the garden, freshly ground coffee, fish, chèvre, and all kinds of chocolate, such as these treats at the Boulangerie Première Moisson.