"Discovered" in 1535 by Jacques Cartier, and founded more than a century later, in 1642, by a handful of French settlers determined to convert the native American Indians to Christianity, Montréal, today, numbers 3.4 million people of virtually every single nationality and creed on the planet.

Throughout its colourful history, Montréal has been in turn a French settlement, a British stronghold and a bilingual city. Today it is officially bilingual and proud of its status as the largest French-speaking city in North America and second-largest French-speaking city in the world. This is a wonderful example of a truly international city where newcomers feel right at home and visitors will always find someone who speaks their language. Montréal has hosted huge international events: the World Fair in 1967 and the Summer Olympics in 1976. Both times the city donned new apparel to receive its guests, and the unique pavilions built for Expo as well as the stunning Olympic Stadium are testaments to the pure creativity and welcoming spirit that drive this city.

Culinary Pleasures
From award-winning restaurants to ethnic food stores to locally grown products, Montréal is a city oozing with a thousand flavours. Discover everyone and everything behind the cuisine that’s melted the hearts of food lovers far and wide.

Parks, Gardens and Greenery
Montrealers have a very intimate relationship with the great outdoors probably because it's right there, literally at their doorsteps. The mountain alone provides ample opportunity to get out and practice the art of breathing. Add to that lush parks, flowering gardens, leafy trails and miles on end of bike paths, and you've got acres of green to choose from.

Multicultural Life
Officially, Montréal is bilingual. In reality, the largest bilingual city in North America works, rests and plays in a multitude of languages and cultures. Come discover how our many different cultural communities have contributed to the rich tapestry of food, music, arts and architecture of our vibrant and welcoming city.

Shopping Galore
Seek and it will jump out at you - in almost sinful abundance. Here the fashion savvy gather and the fashionistas come for inspiration. From exclusive boutiques of haute couture to trendy, ready-to-wear shops, from eclectic antique shops to elegant art galleries, from manufacturers of warm, voluptuous furs to designers of itsy-bitsy bikinis, and from tiny craft shops to large department stores, Montréal has a huge and eclectic concentration of stores.

For more information, please visit www.tourisme-montreal.org.