Markets, Montreal

No stroll through Old Montréal would be complete without a stop at Place Jacques-Cartier, a lively spot steeped in heritage. A meeting place for centuries, Montrealers and visitors alike gather here to admire the view of the Old Port, sit for a spell at an outdoor terrasse, take in performances of the many street artists and enjoy entertainment at every time of year. In fact, one could say that Place Jacques-Cartier is at its most magical during the Christmas season. Today, Place Jacques-Cartier teems with artists, artisans, portrait painters and musicians, however it offers more than just entertainment: history buffs appreciate the Nelson Monument, a 35-metre column erected in 1809, as well as the black pavement denoting the outline of the Château de Vaudreuil, former 18th-century governor’s mansion in New France. Continue your stroll east along Notre-Dame Street and you will come to Place De La Dauversière, across from City Hall. Today, it is a magnificent public garden where passers-by like to while away the hours, immersed in its rich history that begins with the very founding of Montréal. Named in honour of Jérôme Le Royer de La Dauversière, founder of the Société de Notre-Dame, it was the site of the Lemoine-Despins family home in 1750, then of James McGill in 1805. https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/heritage-and-architecture/place-jacques-cartier-and-place-de-la-dauversiere

One of Montréal’s most iconic spots, Saint-Laurent Boulevard offers up an effusive, eclectic and multicultural mix of things to see and do, indoors and out, any time of the day. Which is exactly why everyone loves “The Main”! People of all stripes and colours converge at this buzzy hub—a north-south stretch that divides the city into east and west, to be exact—to shop, eat, drink and mingle, and check out some of the city’s hottest new trends. Its nightlife is legendary too, with crowds converging in laid-back brewpubs, trendy clubs, cheeky cabarets, karaoke bars, dance halls and divebars until the wee hours of the morning. The unique venues here are also choice picks for catching hot artists and up-and-coming acts: just think, you might be lucky enough to see the next big thing! In warmer weather, the strip is also host to colourful festivals, weekend-long sidewalk sales and art on a major scale with the incredibly popular MURAL Festival, the most important urban art festival in North America. https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/shopping/saint-laurent-boulevard

The multicultural flavors and sights of the Jean-Talon Market have been attracting crowds to Little Italy since 1933. One of North America’s largest open-air public markets, its lively atmosphere, authentic character and wide selection of fresh, local produce and specialities from here and abroad always make for a pleasant – and appetizing – outing. True to its culture and spirit, the Jean-Talon Market showcases local and ethnic eats and a diverse array of merchants. Fruit, vegetable and flower stalls line the walkways alongside a tasty array of specialty shops that feature spices, oils, cheeses, meats, pastries and other exquisite Québec products. Butchers and fishmongers enthusiastically hawk their wares, always ready to share a recipe or recommend something new. Open year-round, the market changes with the seasons. In the spring, it blooms with a bouquet of annuals, perennials and seeds while the sugary scent of maple treats tickles the nostrils and the sweet tooth. Summertime starts with fresh asparagus and strawberries, then matures into a cornucopia of fresh produce picked daily. Come fall, the market is abuzz with the richness of the harvest, while in winter, it lights up with the festive spirit, Christmas trees, wreaths and all. https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/shopping/jean-talon-market