Montreal: part three

Our final trip into Montreal, we visited the Old Port to explore the old city, which sits along the St. Lawrence River. We parked in a lot outside the old city, right near a portion of the original city wall and walked into history (narrow 18th century streets are no place for our truck). The cobblestone streets, open air cafes and old multi-storied buildings were only blocks away from modern buildings, but also a world unto themselves.

We took the kids to the Science Center for a bit, but they liked playing on the giant molecule at the front entrance the best. It was too nice a day to be inside anyway!








Bonsecours Market & the Chapel behind us
We walked around the old streets for a while, taking in the sights. Our walking took us into the Notre-Dame de Bon Secours Chapel, one of the oldest churches in Montreal (built in 1771). We usually avoid entering anywhere that requires absolute quiet from the kids – it’s just not that easy for them – but we went in anyway. It was beautiful, and peaceful inside, and my children seemed to understand that quiet was absolutely necessary, even if they could only contain their usual loud exuberance for just a few minutes. It was enough, and the questions they asked during & afterward were very thoughtful.


The playground, down by the waterfront was much more up their alley, and we let them run their wiggles out before continuing our exploration. Bob found ice cream and then led us to the birthplace of Montreal.










The museum was closed by then, but we were able to read the plaque and look at the monument. (Which is kind of neat, as not many cities can actually pinpoint their birthplace; these locations tend to get absorbed into modernization.)

By that point everyone was pretty walked out, and we headed to the truck, passing by the massive (and dazzling) Notre-Dame Basillica of Montreal along the way. And then we said goodbye to Montreal. Bye, Montreal!