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The Best Guided Tours in Montreal

Posted on September 8, 2017

Montreal, a city full of history

Montreal, this beautiful island filled with history. But how do we get to know her in only a few days? By living here, we get to know her little by little. In the winter, she is cold and calm. In the spring, she flowers and in the summer, she is festive and animated. Without forgetting fall when she exposes her prettiest colours before she goes back to sleep for the winter. Montreal, this city that just celebrated its 375th anniversary is rich in history, gastronomy, culture and art. But how do we get to know her when you are just passing by? Guided tours are simple and fun ways to discover the city the fastest way possible.

Only a few steps away from Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel, located in the heart of Old Montreal’s history, we can find many ways to discover this charming city: By foot for the curious, by bus for those in a hurry, at night for the night owls, by bike for the adventurers, or through gastronomy for the foodies. No matter how you wish to discover Montreal, all ways are possible. We list a few of the best guided tours in Montreal here.

Historic Tours

Montreal Ghosts

If you are looking for a guided tour that will make you go through all sorts of emotions at nightfall, all while telling you sordid stories, legends and criminal intrigues, Montreal Ghosts is the ideal tour for you. Located a few steps away from Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel, this tour offered by Guidatour will make you live a unique and memorable experience.

Cité Mémoire

Since the beginning of the year, Montréal en Histoires was able to created a unique and interactive walking tour, all for free. By downloading the free app, discover Old Montreal through more than 20 outdoor displays in the form of images, lyrics and music. These projections tell the stories of different characters who witnessed the evolution of the city through time. Cité Mémoire, is, also, only a few steps away from the hotel and is available every evening from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Cité Mémore, Montréal en Histoires

Cité Mémoire, Montréal en Histoires

 

http://https://vimeo.com/166947522

Montréal à la loupe

No matter how old we are, riddles and puzzles have always known to wake the child in us. Montréal à la loupe is a track game which will awaken the detective in you and help you discover the city through 3 different games: Robbery in Old Montreal, Mystery at the Casino (Plateau Mont-Royal), or threat in the underground. In a team, you will need to solve a puzzle where the hints can be found in the different pieces of public art of the city. Our team recently tried it, and we highly recommend it!

Underground City and Downtown

Our guests are always intrigued to find out “What is this underground city that everybody talks about?” They hear about it so often back home that it becomes a must on their list during their stay at Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel. Underground City by Guidatour is an urban excursion that will guide you through the streets of downtown and through the RÉSO (underground pedestrian network). You will be able to admire the artworks of Dorchester Square, pass by the big Ville-Marie tower or go shopping on the commercial street of Sainte-Catherine.

Bike Tours

What’s great about Montreal is its bike lane network that goes through the whole city, to Sainte-Hélène Island and beyond. In Montreal, it is possible to go from the North of the city and get to the South Shore, all on a bike lane. For adventurers and nature lovers, Montreal offers you two companies with which you will be able to discover Montreal all while riding a bike.

Montreal On Wheels

First of all, Montreal on Wheels, which is located less than a minute away from Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal, offers many guided bike tours, bike rentals and even bike lessons. Isn’t that great? They specialize mostly in tours around Old Montreal, the Lachine Canal and Sainte-Hélène Island/Jean-Drapeau Park.

Fitz & Follwell

Comparatively, Fitz & Follwell offer itineraries in the North of Montreal, in the South, or from North to South, allowing you to see the entire city. This family company that started in a home garage in 2008, concentrates on fun, informative and social tours.

Ça Roule Montréal On Wheels

Ça Roule Montréal On Wheels

Fitz and Follwell

Fitz and Follwell Tour à velo, Bike Tour

Foodie Tours

Spade & Palacio

Spade & Palacio were really able to build their brand by offering “non-touristy tours” that will give you the impression of leaving as a true Montrealer. In this foodie tour, you will discover 6 restaurants and bars, passing by the famous Jean-Talon Market and the Mile-Ex, this rapidly expanding gastronomic neighborhood. You will even have the chance to taste the best little Salvadorian restaurant in Montreal, this city that shines by its multicultural flavors. At the end of the tour, you will be able to sit down with the people you met during the day and chat around a nice craft beer. Then, continue your gourmet discovery on your own thanks to the list of suggestions offered by Spade & Palacio.

Spade & Palacio

Spade & Palacio

Local Montreal Tours

What’s great with Local Montreal Tours is that they offer tours in the three most foodie neighborhoods of the city: Old Montreal, Mile-End and the Plateau Mont-Royal & “The Main” (St-Laurent Street, where is located the famous Schwartz Deli). They also offer evening tours of Mile-End, for those who like to marry the tastes of food with local craft beers from this vibrant neighborhood.

Local Montreal Tours, Mile-End

Local Montreal Tours, Mile-End

Montreal Craft Beer Tours

For those who love craft beers, you will be happy to know that Montreal Craft Beer Tours offers two itineraries either in Rosemont or the Quartier des spectacles (Festival Quarter). Discover not less than 6 tastings with pairings, including a delicious poutine!

Bus Tours

Gray Line Bus Tours

For rainy days, short vacations or simply for those who like the admire the scenery, the “Double-Decker” bus tours from Gray Line will be ideal for you. For as low as 55$ per person and valid for two days, discover all the major attractions of the city, passing by Old Montreal, Chinatown, the Quartier des spectacles, the Village, the St-Joseph Oratory, the Museum of Fine Arts, and Mont-Royal Park, among others. What is great with this tour is the “hop-on, hop-off” concept, where you will be able to get off and back on at whichever destination you prefer visiting.

Gray Line Tours

Gray Line Tours, Oratoire St-Joseph

On behalf of our entire team at Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal, we wish you a pleasant discovery of this beautiful city that is Montreal.

Jennifer Bédard
Marketing Manager

Montreal destination

Montreal, City of Festivals

Posted on June 15, 2017

A Summer of Festivities in Montreal

Montreal, during the summer, is the city of festivals. There are major events happening almost every week throughout the summer, attracting a great number of visitors. This year being the 375th anniversary of the city, there are even more sights to visit and grand events to attend.

© Susan Moss, La grande tournée du 375e

© Susan Moss, La grande tournée du 375e

Festivals of Art, Music and Culture

Of course, Montreal is famous for its Formula 1 Grand Prix, the event that launches the high season for tourism and that provides a crazy week of celebrations, but also for the Jazz Festival, the largest in the world, which brings together hundreds of indoor concerts and free concerts in the streets of Montreal and for the Just For Laughs Festival. Also, Les Francofolies is the largest celebration of French language music and its artists.

Among the many major festivals that were added in the recent years, the more notable ones include Montreal Complètement Cirque (Circus), which benefits from the presence in the city of the Cirque du Soleil, of the TOHU, of the Cirque Eloize and of the 7 Doigts de la Main circus company.

© MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CIRQUE, Tim Hussin

© MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CIRQUE, Tim Hussin

Osheaga has grown over the years to become one the largest gatherings of pop music outdoor concerts, bringing together dozens of world class bands and tens of thousands of music fans coming from all parts to attend the three days of wild concerts.

As for sporting events, besides the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Rogers Cup of Tennis brings us, each year, one of the most competitive tournaments in the world, with most of the best players in the world. The Men and Women players alternate from year to year; in 2017 we are welcoming the men from the ATP! Furthermore, for the first time in Montreal, the electric race cars will be speeding through the streets during the brand new Formula E serie.

© Susan Moss Photography, Grand Prix F1 Crescent

© Susan Moss Photography, Grand Prix F1 Crescent

© Eva Blue, Festival Osheaga

© Eva Blue, Festival Osheaga

© Les FrancoFolies de Montréal, Benoit Rousseau

© Les FrancoFolies de Montréal, Benoit Rousseau

© Agnieszka S. Semaine de la Mode Montréal

© Agnieszka S. Semaine de la Mode Montréal

Your Festival Guide

To help you find your way through all those festivals and to better plan your touristic and cultural schedule this summer, here is a list of the numerous major festivals and events in Montreal in 2017 :

Volta – Cirque Du Soleil – May 25 to July 23 / Jacques Cartier Pier – Vieux-Port

Avudo – May 18 to September 2 / Jacques-Cartier Pier – Vieux-Port

Grand Prix Formula 1 – June 9, 10, 11 / Notre-Dame Island

Mondial de la Bière (Beerfest) – June 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 2017 / Palais des Congrès

Francofolies – June 8 to 18 / Place Des Arts

Festival International de Jazz de Montréal – June 28 to July 8 / Place Des Arts

L’international des Feux Loto-Québec – July 1, 8, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 and August 5 / La Ronde

Montréal Complètement Cirque – July 6 to 16 / Montreal

Comic Con Montréal – July 7, 8, 9 / Palais des Congrès

Just for Laughs Festival– July 14 to 30 / Place Des Arts

Formula E Race – July 29 and 30 / Downtown

Rogers Cup of Tennis – August 4 to 13 / Uniprix Stadium

Osheaga – August 4, 5, 6 / Jean-Drapeau Park

ÎleSoniq – August 10, 11, 12 / Jean-Drapeau Park

OSM, Classical Spree – August 10, 11, 12, 14 / Maison Symphonique

Nomad Fest – Urban Rodeo – August 24, 25, 26, 27 / Jacques-Cartier Pier

Festival Yul Eat – September 2, 3, 4 / Old-Montreal

For further information, for help to purchase tickets or to make reservations, contact our concierge desk at 514-350-1152 or at concierge@lesaintsulpice.com . Our concierge team will be pleased to help you make the best out of this amazing festival season in Montreal.

We wish you a wonderful summer in Montreal and we hope to have the opportunity to share our most amazing season with you.

Alain Ethier
Chef-Concierge

Montreal destination

Discover spring in Montreal

Posted on April 14, 2017

A spring in Montreal

If you talk about spring to a Montrealer, he will immediately smile. The arrival of spring in Montreal means the end of winter. After the cold and the snowstorms finally comes the warm and sunny season. At Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal, we are right in the heart of the action where you can enjoy the return of this beautiful season.

What describes spring in Montreal?

The start of spring involves different meanings with many being true to the Montreal and Quebec culture. We will mention a few of them here and maybe, it will convince you to come for a visit…

Happy Season

Ah Spring… the season we all wait for! You might notice that Montrealers seem to smile more. People laugh, people get out of the house to walk around everywhere and all the parks quickly become animated with life. Picnics, barbecues, it only takes a few degrees above zero for us to put away our winter coats. Montrealers are known to be welcoming and friendly, however, there’s something about spring that suddenly makes people happier.

Dorchester Square

Dorchester Square © Tourisme Montréal

Sugar Shack Season

A very popular Quebec tradition has always been the annual harvesting of our famous maple syrup, which also means a visit to the sugar shack with family and friends. From the beginning of March until the end of April, producers welcome young and old to come enjoy typical Quebec meals. Meat pie, omelette, maple syrup sausage and last but not least, maple taffy on snow.

Un Chef à l'érable

© Un Chef à l’érable

A very famous sugar shack is the Cabane à sucre du Pied de Cochon, all as decadent as its restaurant of the same name and is a destination of choice for foodies. However, beware! Is it so good that this season is already fully booked and reservations for 2018 will quickly sell out as of midnight on January 1st 2018.

More and more, you don’t even need to drive out of the city to visit the sugar shack since many restaurants have now started opening urban sugar shacks! A new discovery this year is Un Chef à l’érable with the guest of honor, the very talented chef Laurent Godbout. An urban and modern version of the sugar shack theme. This restaurant is at la Scena in Old Montreal, only a few minutes walk away from Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal.

Un chef à l'érable

© Un Chef à l’érable

Montreal’s Sunny Terraces

Who says spring, says the reopening of terraces. Old Montreal is known for its beautiful terraces on the cobblestone streets, on rooftops or hidden behind building walls. At Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal, we have the chance of having a beautiful hidden garden in our interior court and as soon as the weather gets warm, mid-May, we cannot wait to open it up again. Every year, our creative plant experts from Vertuose help us prepare a colourful terrace and the Sinclair restaurant finally opens its windows where you can enjoy a drink and a meal in the middle of the sunny gardens.

Sinclair Terrasse, Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel

Sinclair Terrasse, Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel

Montreal : The Destination

For us at Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal, its already time to get on our best behaviour because tourists from around the globe are coming to Montreal! Spring for us means the beginning of high season, wedding season and the neighborhood starts to fill up. For us, spring means excitement!

The cobblestone streets of Old Montreal fill up with people walking and our reservations increase exponentially. If you have the chance to walk around near Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel during springtime, you might notice many brides walking in their dresses because spring is also a very popular time when to get married in Montreal.

We all know, Old Montreal is an ideal place to be during spring: the favorite season of our guests to discover Montreal.

Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal celebrates its 15th year anniversary!

During spring, Montreal regains its colours. In fact, it is this spring that Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal will be celebrating its 15th year anniversary. For the occasion, we are preparing many surprises and upgrades to the hotel that will make you want to rediscover us, again and again.

Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal wishes you a wondeful spring and we look forward to welcoming you soon during the warm season!

Jennifer Bédard

Place Jacques-Cartier

© MTTQ, Vlan Communication

Montreal destination

Montreal’s Best Viewpoints

Posted on March 23, 2017

Where to find the best viewpoints of Montreal

At the concierge desk of Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal, we often get asked by our guests where can they find panoramic viewpoints of Montreal. Until recently, the options were very limited, but now, there are some new and exciting places where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Montreal.

Au Sommet PVM

Montreal viewpoint

Au Sommet Place Ville-Marie observation deck.     Photo: ausommetpvm.com

The most important new addition to Montreal’s touristic offer is certainly the observation deck on top of Place Ville-Marie, called Au Sommet PVM. Au Sommet offers a unique viewpoint of the city, occupying the 45th and 46th floors, at 185 meters (607 feet) above ground.

An immersive viewpoint

Its informative exhibits allow visitors to immerse themselves in Montreal’s daily rituals through 55 video portraits and more than 500 images from the City of Montreal’s archives and social media. Hockey, gastronomy, performance art, language, and neighbourhoods like the Plateau Mont-Royal and Old Montreal are some of the key themes explored in this exhibit. Visitors can also explore 55 portraits of famous Montrealers. Entrance fees to Sommet PVM go from $13 to $19 and it is only a short metro ride away from Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal.

Dine and enjoy the view

On the floor below the observation deck, Les Enfants Terribles, a French bistro, opened its doors at the same time. Along with a spectacular view towards the North, East and South sides of the city, the bistro offers a bold and reinvented Québec cuisine. On the menu, local products are honored to revisit childhood classics or explore new trends in cuisine.

Montreal viewpoint

Bistro Les Enfants Terribles PVM     Photo: Les Enfants Terribles

* * * * *

Portus 360

For the first time since the 80’s, Montreal’s only revolving restaurant is NOT a tourist trap but rather a fine dining Portuguese cuisine restaurant. Portus 360 moved last year from its Plateau location to take over as the 360 degrees revolving restaurant on top of the EVO building, at 777 Robert Bourassa boulevard.

Montreal viewpoint

Portus 360 Photo: Alain Ethier

2016-09-01 19.33.45

Portus 360     Photo: Alain Ethier

The owner/chef, Helena Loureiro, is one of Montreal’s most popular and talented chefs. Helena and her team of professionals offer typical Portuguese dishes, specializing in fish and seafood but also grilled meats and petiscos (tapas), prepared with a creative and modern touch. Add the great food to the fantastic, constantly changing view of Montreal and you can see how Portus 360 can turn (!) your touristic visit into a full sensorial experience that you will always remember.

Montreal viewpoint

Portus 360 on top of the EVO building. “Point me in the right direction!”                            Photo: Alain Ethier

Conveniently located on the border between Old Montreal and Downtown, the 777 Robert-Bourassa boulevard building was recently transformed from a hotel into a residence for McGill University students. This amazing restaurant and viewpoint can be found at only 12 minutes walk from Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel or a short cab ride.

* * * * *

Other great viewpoints of Montreal

Of course, for great panoramic views of Montreal, you can always count on these ever popular sites:

– The Chalet at the top of Mont-Royal Park and the Belvedere, on its eastern flank;

– The Olympic Tower, the tallest inclined tower in the world;

– The Jean-Drapeau Park, on Ste-Hélène Island and

– The end of the Jacques-Cartier pier in the Old Port.

Stop by the concierge desk of Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel for directions to one of Montreal’s best viewpoints, to buy your tickets for the observation deck Au Sommet Place Ville-Marie or for reservations at Portus 360 or Les Enfants Terribles.

We recommend that during your next stay at Le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal, you plan a visit to one of these interesting viewpoints to fill your eyes, and perhaps your stomach too, with lasting memories of Montreal.

Alain Ethier
Chef-concierge
Member, Les Clefs d’Or Canada

 

Montreal destination

Montreal’s 375th Anniversary celebrations

Posted on November 28, 2016

An overlook about Montreal’s 375th Anniversary celebrations

Montreal’s 375th Anniversary celebrations

In 2017 Montreal will celebrate its 375th Anniversary. It will be one year full of events not to miss that will start with the launch party on December 11th, 2016!

Le Saint-Sulpice Hotel Montreal ideally located in Old Montreal will be the right place to stay as we are in the heart of all major activities and events organized to celebrate Montreal’s 375th Anniversary!

 

Let’s have a look on some highlights:

Les Hivernales:

From January to mid March– will take place in three key locations in the city: in Parc  Jean-Drapeau, in Old Montreal and in the Quartier des spectacles. Programming for this grandiose winter celebration will include a wide variety of sports and participative activities to suit all tastes. Among others, there will be a one-of-a-kind interactive and technological obstacle course that will challenge participants while entertaining spectators, a first run of some truly zany curling, winter cycling and an outdoor hockey game. Fans of extreme sports will also have their fill with an impressive skiing and snowboarding demonstration. An array of activities and events has been planned to encourage young and old alike to get outside and have fun…

In the heart of winter, here some of the not to miss events:
En-tete_Twitter_Montreal-en-Lumiere

Igloofest:

The biggest winter techno party will take place every week-end from Friday to Sunday between January 12th and February 18th, 2017. Dear Techno addicts, don’t’ forget your ‘tuques’ and snowsuits, because it’s never too early to get ready to dance under the stars to the sound of the best worlwide DJ’s music.
Igloofest in the Old Port – 2 min walking distance from the St-Sulpice Hotel.

Montréal en Lumière: from February 23 to March 11 2017

This festival belongs to the largest winter festivals in the world! It combines performing arts, gastronomy, free outdoor family activities, and a full night of exquisitely original discoveries during la Nuit Blanche de Montréal.

Lyon in France, reknown as a city of light and fine gastronomic destination, will be honored this year. Add the dates to your agenda today. We recommend you  book your table as soon as the participating restaurants and Chefs will be unveiled, as it will definitely be very popular!

Concerts and show will be announced later in the year too.

Not to miss this year Illuminart experience: a new free event solidifying Montreal’s position as a “Smart and Digital City”–will establish itself as an international annual crossroads for illuminated, interactive and immersive avant-garde creativity! Its array of technological works will further confirm the status of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE as a creative laboratory and showcase, a key component in an international circuit of creative events dedicated to the theme of light!

https://youtu.be/8ttb0qK0QDA

Another Brick in the Wall at The Opéra de Montréal : from March 11 to 24, 2017

375th Anniversary - Another brick in the wall

375th Anniversary – Another brick in the wall

For the Montreal’s 375th Anniversary, The Opéra de Montréal announced a special great event: Another Brick in the wall. Based on the masterpiece The Wall by Pink Floyd,, the opera, written by Rogers Waters and directed by Dominic Champagne, will be the blockbuster production of the Opéra de Montréal in 2017 and will make its world debut here.
The show will highlight the mythical dimension of the work through original music, performed by contemporary opera singers accompanied by classical instruments. Book today your tickets for Another Brick in the wall at the Opéra Montréal.

 

The Giants : May 19 to 21 (A 24h/24 event)

 

375th Anniversary - the giants

The Giants – ©Pascal Victor-Arcomart

After appearing in France, Sweden, Chili, Iceland, England, Australia, Germany and China, the impressive giants will stop in Montreal in May 2017 for a special and unique show to celebrate Montreal’s 375th Anniversary. These giants will tell you about Montreal’s history on their own way with a touch of poetry and emotion. You will be able to follow their facts and gestures 24h/24…

Cité mémoire : Every evening at dusk

Since May 18th, 2016, you already can walk along Old Montreal’s streets and discover the 20 tableaux projected throughout the area. Cité Mémoire invites you to meet a host of characters who’ve witnessed the city’s evolution first-hand. Poetic, dreamlike and occasionally playful, the tableaux come alive with images, words and music. The work appears on the very walls that surround us, the ground on which we walk, the trees that frame our present.
Every evening at dusk, around le Saint-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal!

For a complete Cité Mémoire experience, download Montréal en Histoires free application. Soundtrack and historical contexts are available in 4 languages.
For Montreal’s 375th Anniversary, Cité Mémoire expands the number of tableaux and will cover downtown … Starting in May 2017

La grande tournée du 375ème   From May 12 to September 17 

La Grande Tournée du 375e celebrates each of Montréal’s 19 boroughs over 19 weekends.
A way for you to discover how Montrealers live and the specificities of the 19 boroughs.
Next summer, La Grande Tournée du 375e will make its way across Montréal, showcasing the many different people, residents and merchants that make up our neighbourhoods. Each of the 19 boroughs will have a chance to strut its stuff during this giant neighbourhood block party, which highlights what makes it unique. It will also give people who love Montréal the chance to explore the many vibrant boroughs of the city.

Each weekend, a neighbourhood park will be host to an array of activities that invite people to explore, dream, feel, have fun, eat, dance, play and revel in the moment. The fun will also spill out onto a neighbouring street or back alley and feature even more art, history and family-oriented happenings. La Grande Tournée du 375e will be presented by Cirque Éloize, which will unveil a line-up of fun and entertaining activities throughout the day.

Living connections – a work of illumination for the Jacques-Cartier bridge: 17 Mai 2017

375th Anniversary -Living connexion Jacques Cartier bridge

For years, the Jacques Cartier Bridge has been an icon for the Montreal area. It spans our St. Lawrence River and connects us to the South Shore. From 2017, the bridge will become an attraction for visitors, and above all, a powerful symbol of Montréal’s creativity.

Starting May 17th, 2017 the Jacques Cartier Bridge will be a kaleidoscope reflecting the season and Montrealers’ energy, through numerous datas collected in real time that will determine the color and pattern of the lightings. It will be one of the major attractions for Montreal’s 375th Anniversary, and will stay after the celebrations for 10 years.

Montreal AVUDO Old Port: from May 17 to September 2, 2017

375th Anniversary -Avudo in the Old Port

A spectacular multimedia show that pays tribute to the St-Lawrence River all summer long in the Old Port. Taking place on the water, Montréal AVUDO will be a poetic tribute to the St. Lawrence River throughout the years and seasons. The water, omnipresent, will be given a voice through grandiose installations. Thanks to spectacular projections on the water, audiences will be immersed in the memories of those whose livelihood depended on it, who built, innovated and set off to link Montréal to the rest of the world.

Montréal AVUDO will tell a non-linear story of the emotional ties between the St. Lawrence River, Montréal, its neighbourhoods, its stakeholders and its people. The everyday stories of the river will evoke the roots of our city, from its very beginnings to the Montréal of today.

100 free performances – close to the St-Sulpice Hôtel Montréal

 Les Francofolies de Montréal : from June 8 to 18, 2017

Since 1989, Les FrancoFolies de Montréal has been the true reflection of a thriving French-speaking music world!

Nearly 70 indoor shows and 180 free outdoor concerts attest to the effervescent quality, diversity and energy of a music-rich, fun-filled program! Les FrancoFolies de Montréal features a wide array of musical trends, showcased through 250 concerts. Held on a pedestrian-friendly site in the downtown core of America’s biggest French-speaking city, it offers all possible amenities and non-stop entertainment! More than just a festival, Les FrancoFolies de Montréal are a unique way to celebrate music… and life!

More to come about the programming that will be surely impressive for the Montreal’s 375th Anniversary.

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal : from June 28 to July 8, 2017

Montreal International jazz festival

©Jean-François Leblanc Brian Setzer

Ranked as the world’s largest jazz festival by Guinness World Records, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal has been synonymous with a passion for music for over three decades. Every year, North America’s French-speaking metropolis welcomes global music fans to 10 days of jazzcentric celebration, where fans of all types of jazz-related music rub shoulders with aficionados of the genre in its purest form. The Festival hosts some 30 countries, 3,000 musicians and public entertainers, 1,000 concerts and activities—two-thirds of them free – in 15 concert halls and on 8 outdoor stages, welcoming more than 2 million visitors to the city, from noon to midnight! And it all happens on a unique site designed to meet festivalgoers’ every need, in the heart of Montreal’s downtown core, in an area off-limits to car traffic! There’s no doubt – Montreal is the heartbeat of Planet Jazz!

More to come about the programming that will be surely impressive for the Montreal’s 375th Anniversary.

 Street theatre troups: July 2017

For Montreal’s 375th Anniversary celebrations, over 60 street theatre troupes from six countries (France, Spain, Australia, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Canada) will take over the streets of Montreal, during July 2017, performing some 800 shows. Hundreds of artists—including close to 20 troupes from Quebec—will be taking part in this spectacular street theatre event, the largest of its kind ever held in North America!

Fierté Canada Montréal : August 11 to 17

Canada Pride Montréal 2017 is a national festival that aims to shed light on the Canadian LGBT movement Hosted by Montréal Pride from August 11 to 17, 2017, festivalgoers will be offered 10 days of celebrations including a weekend of sporting events, an international conference on LGBT human rights, free outdoor concerts every night and a parade of an unprecedented scale!

That’s all for now… but more to come!!

 

Karin Janssen, marketing manager

Montreal destination

Coffee time!

Posted on October 12, 2016

Stopping for coffee in Old Montreal

 

Recently, I often find myself walking through the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal at the end of my shifts. It’s almost like I don’t want to leave this amazing neighborhood. I spend the day recommending the best places to spend time in the city to our guests and it makes me want to live the same experiences.

While walking, I often get the urge to stop in a cool place for a coffee and sometimes for a quick snack. Here are some of the new and old places I’ve been visiting recently for a great coffee and pastry pitstop:

Sinclair Restaurant (inside St-Sulpice Hotel)

Sometimes, I just change into civilian clothing and sneak into the beautiful Sinclair terrace to enjoy a nice café latte in an elegant, calm, peaceful, sun-filled ambiance.

Coffee on Sinclair terrace

Sinclair terrace: a lovely sunny garden terrace, a great place for coffee break

Maison Christian Faure (355 Place Royale)

Christian Faure was named Best Employee of France, his croissants are out-of-this-world good. My favorite, the almond croissant, is just amazingly tasty. The coffee is excellent and the tea-room-like shop is just the perfect place to enjoy a well-deserved escape from the daily hustle. more info

Maison Christian Faure

The reknowned pastries of Maison Christian Faure

 

Tommy Café

©tommy Café

Tommy Café (200 Notre-Dame w.)

A beautiful interior design and great coffee, along with cool, trendy clientele sipping coffee behind their laptops and earphones, make this place a must if you want to be creative and inspired for this new project you’re working on. Tommy café is one of the few places serving cronuts in Old Montréal.

 Crew Collective & Café (360 St-Jacques)

The newest, most spectacular coffee house to open in Old Montreal, in the gigantic and opulent former lobby of the Royal Bank headquarters. Crew Collective & Café offers great coffee made by hipster barristas, nice fresh pastries and lots of space to work or meet. My favorite: The banana Financier cake! They even have six cubicles that you can use for more private meetings, free of charge, as long as you drink coffee!

The majestic space of Crew Collective Café.

The majestic space of Crew Collective Café.

Crew Café: Everything to be productive.

Crew Café: Everything to be productive.

 

 

Other great places to have a coffee in the morning that are well worth mentioning include:
Olive et Gourmando (351 St-Paul w.);
Thé Mon Café (376 Notre-Dame w.);
Café Santé Véritas (480 St-Laurent).

Alain Ethier
Chef-concierge
Membre, Les Clefs d’Or Canada

Montreal destination

Destination:Old Montreal!

Posted on September 13, 2016

St-Sulpice Hotel Montreal exterior

In the heart of Old Montreal!

Rated a 4 Diamond (AAA rating) luxury hotel, Le Saint-Sulpice Hotel with its 108 elegant suites is well-known for the attentive and personalized service and specifically for its ideal location, right in the heart of Old Montreal!

Old Montreal : a cultural destination

If you stay at le St-Sulpice Hotel Montreal, you will be able to enjoy all the main historic and cultural attractions the city offers!

Walk along the cobblestone streets and discover the historic buildings with their unique French colonial style. Take the time to visit those special buildings and imagine yourself back to the times where Montreal used to be the financial center of Canada, with its history charged facades. Visit Old Montreal ‘s museums to learn more about Montreal history: with Pointe-à-Callières museum, the archeological site where Montreal was founded –  Notre-Dame de Bonsecours chapel,  Montreal oldest chapel – the Montreal history Museum exhibits, or relive 500 years of history through the Ramezay Chateau and its beautiful French colonial style garden. Also not to miss: the magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica and its historic chapel.

Notre Dame de Bonsecours chapel

Beautiful view of the Notre-Dame de Bonsecours Chapel ©sadalit on instagram

All these are located steps ways from Le St-Sulpice hotel!

Old  Montreal, a destination for fun and sport!

The Old Montreal neighborhood includes the Old Port and its numerous touristic attractions and activities: from the Clock Tower and its urban beach opened in season, the Montreal science center and all the shops around to name a few.

Goelette Grosse île in the Old Port

Great sailing experience in the Old Port. Come on board on the Goelette Grosse île . ©Yanni Dimitri

Start your day with a fun activity with your family and friends. Whether you are a thrill-seeker or a contemplative person, everyone will be satisfied.

Fly over the city like a superhero with the urban Mtl Zipline or jump into St-Lawrence river rapids with Saute-Mouton jetboating  or Wetset jetskis or flyboats. If you are more contemplative, rent a bike and take a nice ride along the Lachine Canal, choose a romantic cruise on the Bateau Mouche or taste the charm of traditional sailing on the last schooner of the St-Lawrence River, La Goélette Grosse île.

Old Montreal : a gastronomic destination

For a few years now, Old Montreal has become one of the place to go out and eat with its numerous bars and restaurants, along St-Paul street.

Foodies will be overjoyed! Be inspired by the local, French, Indian, Japanese and Spanish to name only a few, the choice is yours! Whether you are looking for a quick lunch on a sunny terrace or a refined dinner, there are more suggestions available to you than there are days in the year!. Just have a look!

St-Paul street in Old Montreal

You will enjoy to walk on the St-Paul street with its numerous bars and restaurants. Close to the St-Sulpice hotel.

Our Clef d’Or concierge will be more than happy to recommend the best places to sooth your specific wishes and to help you to make your reservation.

 

Karin Janssen, marketing manager