Stretching for more than two kilometres along the St-Lawrence River, Old Port Montreal is one of the city’s liveliest districts. For tourists, strolling along the waterfront and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere is a must. When it comes to sampling Quebec’s fabulous flavours, browsing through stalls at the iconic Bonsecours Market is a Montreal rite of passage.
The waterfront is lined with a string of restaurants and is a jumping point for the city’s hugely popular boat tours and cruises. In summer, al fresco cafes are a great place to soak up the Montreal sunshine. In winter, the Old Port transforms into a wonderland of lights, snow and a fantastic skating rink. Old Port is also home to a string of family-friendly attractions like the Montréal Science Centre and the IMAX TELUS cinema.
Old Port Montreal is anchored by the magnificent Clock Tower, with Champ-de-Mars the closest metro station. There are several city bike hire racks within the area, which are a fantastic way to explore the city. The port is just steps from Old Montreal, and big-ticket attractions like Notre Dame Basilica, City Hall and the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History.
While today Old Port Montreal is a vibrant tourist attraction, its roots date back to the early 1600s. It was used as a trading post for French fur traders, who searched Canada for the plush hides of bears, foxes, lynxes, sea otters and stoats.