The Photo Guide to Montreal’s Best Street Scenes
By Lloyd C | Updated June 20th, 2010
By far the most defining characteristic of Montreal is the architecture and street scenes of this charming city.
Surprisingly the traditional French vibes are mixed with a more modern and contemporary style.
From the streets and structures around the city, photos can only elevate your discovery of some of the hidden gems that the city of Montreal has to offer.
Here we explore our Globetrooper photo guide to Montreal’s best street scenes.
Rue Mont-Royal
The street where everything happens, Rue Mont-Royal. It runs through the heart of the funky Le Plateau district and becomes adorned with markets, stalls and street art whenever there’s something worth celebrating (seemingly every few days).
Today, Rue Mont Royal was the scene of a Maintenant l’indépendance du Québec rally (the movement to maintain Quebec’s independence from Canada). Then what seemed like moments later, police cordoned off the street for hundreds of skateboards to ride past. It’s just such full of life; we’re lucky our temp residence is just around the corner.
Buildings Scenes
Here’s one of many painted buildings in downtown Montreal. If you look closely, you can see a guy who’s fallen through the ice, waving vigorously for help (come on, where’s your imagination?).
And here’s another one (painted building, not drowning guy); though arguably more appreciated by residents during Montreal’s frigid winter.
Bixi Bike System
The city of Montreal recently launched an ingenious bike system. You pay a nominal registration fee and can ride the ubiquitous bikes between stations across the city.
Bixi has received a lot of criticism for its pricing, but it’s important to note it’s designed for short trips. You don’t have to return the bike to the same Bixi station; rather it’s designed as A to B transport.
Montreal Grand Prix
Unfortunately, this picture doesn’t include sound, so you’ll just have to visit in 2011 to witness the raw unadulterated power that’s unleashed annually on the otherwise serene Île Notre-Dame (Notre-Dame Island). And, I almost forgot… there are squirrels are everywhere!