Welcome to Montreal’s Old Town: Private 2-hour Walking Tour
Explore the charming Old Town of Montreal with an expert private guide, and learn about its nearly 400 years of history as you tour its cobbled streets, iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame Basilica, and of course the scenic Old Port.
On your private 2-hour walking tour, you will:
- Walk through the International District to the cobbled Saint Paul Street - a vibrant street lined with 19th-century buildings that are now cafes, bars, and boutiques;
- Stop outside the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History - founded in 1992 to mark the birthplace and 350th birthday of Montreal;
- Admire the Old Saint-Sulpice Seminary the oldest building in Montreal, built between 1684 and 1687; it is a beautiful U-shaped building and houses the oldest private garden in North America, its neo-classical façade of rough-cut limestone with gate and Ionic columns dates to 1740, and its clock dates to 1701 - possibly the oldest in America;
- Appreciate the majestic Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal from the outside, famous for its spectacular Gothic Revival architecture, it is a testament to the city's cultural and religious history;
- Wander around Place d'Armes and see the Monument to Paul de Chomedey, the founder of Montreal;
- Walk through Old Montreal Streets stopping by the Old Montreal Courthouse, Place Jacques-Cartier, and Montreal City Hall;
- Pass by the Château Ramezay - a museum dedicated to the history of Montreal and once the home of the Governor;
- Walk to the Old Port of Montreal - a 2km stretch along the Saint Lawrence River it has been used as a trading post since the 1600s and is today full of family attractions from a Ferris wheel to arcades, cinemas, restaurants, and shopping malls;
- Experience the vibrant Bonsecours Market situated in an iconic domed building dating to the 19th century - one of the most recognisable buildings in Old Montreal it once housed the Canadian parliament for a session in 1849;
- Enjoy the incredible views of the Ferris wheel La Grande Roue de Montréal and the Clock Tower from the Old Port area;
- See the beautiful Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel built in 1771 over an earlier edifice;
- End your tour at the Old Port near the bustling shops and restaurants and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.
With a history stretching back almost 400 years, the Old Town of Montréal is a treasure trove of historic architecture, public buildings, churches, markets, and of course stunning views from the Old Port along the Saint Lawrence River. It was a thriving fur trading port from the early 17th century and grew in stature, prosperity, and religious and cultural influence.
Montréal is named after 'Mount Royal', the three-peaked hill in the heart of the city. It is the largest city in the province of Québec, situated on an island in the Saint Lawrence River.
Its official language is French and many of its boroughs were once independent cities in their own right. Old Montreal is an example of picturesque, cobble-stoned French colonial architecture and influence - with the majestic Notre Dame basilica in the centre, a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture.
A sea-faring trading city, you'll be able to enjoy views from the Old Port as well as the very modern, vibrant atmosphere prevalent today!
