Around North America: Montreal

Bonjour á tous! Bienvenue á Montréal.
For those of who that have forgotten freshman year French:
Hello everyone! Welcome to Montréal.

Arguably no other city in North America can make you feel like you're in the heart of Europe more than this one. Old Montréal (Vieux Montreal) features narrow cobblestone streets that lay at the feet of grand corridors of stone buildings that date back beyond when the British took control of Canada. Back to a time where the heart of French civilization outside of France was right here on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Despite the fact that Canada is a Commonwealth of Great Britain, Montréal is even today the largest French speaking city outside of France.

Montréal isn't all French, however. There is an English speaking side to the city. While the subject of French vs English here has a long and sensitive history, the city once named Ville-Marie (City of Mary) is as bilingual as any city on the continent. Montréal was the commercial center of eastern Canada arguably until the 1970's. Two hundred years prior, Montréal and it's province of Québec were a main target during both the Seven Years War (French and Indian War) and the American Revolution. In 1760, after a three month campaign by the British to take the city, the French finally surrendered and signed the Articles of Capitulation of Montréal. The French demands included equal treatment to that of British subjects, and amnesty for both Canadians and First Nations warriors who fought for the French. It was also agreed upon that the practice of Roman Catholicism would be allowed. Most of the terms were agreed upon, and in a flash, the center of New France became part of their sworn enemy's empire.
During the American War for Independence, the Continentals schemed an assault on Quebec after their shocking victory at Fort Ticonderoga. Not only did the Americans attack Montréal, but occupied it for some time before it was retaken by the British with a number of prisoner exchanges between the two sides being one of the conflict's main events.
Appropriately, the English/French split can be found in the city's hockey history. Today, only the Montréal Canadiens exist. Since 1915, only 18 different National Hockey League teams have won the Stanley Cup. Far and away, Les Habitants (the informal name given to settlers of New France in the 17th century and the nickname for the Canadiens) have the most at 24 and were the last Canadian team to win the Cup, backstopped by Patrick Roy in 1993. The Canadiens were founded in 1909 for the mainly French-speaking population of Montréal and are the longest continually operated hockey team on the planet. But in the early 20th century, they weren't the only show in town. In 1924, for the city's English community, the Montréal Maroons were born.
Montréal (named on maps starting in the late 17th century after Mount Royal that towers above the city) was no stranger to having multiple teams in town. The Montréal Wanderers were founded in 1909 and lasted until 1918 (they played in the inaugural NHL season of 1917-18).
For six years, the Canadiens ruled the ice in Province de Québec. In the Maroons first season it was the Canadiens who lifted Lord Stanley. It only took two years however for the English side of town to bring another Cup to Montréal, and a second in 1935. A victim of the Great Depression, the Maroons halted operations in 1938 and the franchise was canceled in 1947, leaving Le Bleu, Blanc, Rouge to represent the entire city and region, no matter the language.
Montréal's history as a center of trade is evident everywhere. It's downtown is a business hub for everything from aeronautics to telecommunications, Vieux Montréal's old world charm is a draw for tourists from all over the world the same as it is for day-trippers from nearby Vermont and New York state. One thing that is on everyone's lips when talking about Montréal (literally) is the food. Whether it's fresh poutine (French fries, smothered in gravy and cheese curds) from Montréal Poutine in Old Montreal to a smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz's Deli on Saint Laurent Boulevard downtown, both visitor and local won't let you leave without having either, or preferably both.
In the summer, if you're looking for where the action is, look up. Virtually every bar, restaurant or hotel in the city features a rooftop that shines with the finest food, rosé and people from around the corner or around the world. While the day can bring the humid summer heat of a northeastern town by a major waterway, the nights cool perfectly and you can watch the sun set behind the city's namesake, a three-peaked hill to the west than you can climb or drive up, Mount Royal. If you get to the top (easy for any age or ability) the view back towards downtown Montréal and the St. Lawrence is equally as stunning.
No matter what accommodation you choose (a purely stone hotel that feels like France in Vieux Port, and elegant night at the Ritz that feels like the '40's, or the modern luxury of a myriad of other hotels downtown) Montréal should be a destination for anyone in North America. Dripping with its rich European history, you won't feel closer to three thousand miles away than you will with a visit to the City of Mary. Just take a walk down Rue Saint-Paul and listen to the bustle of both vendor and visitor. Then, go sit in the breathtaking and majestic Notre-Dame Basilica to find a moment of peace. Look above you at the extraordinary ceiling and wonder, "How did they build that with such detail and strength?" Look around you at the remarkable masonry and artisan abilities that made the wonderful stained glass windows that allow light into that place of worship and solace.

In winter, just ask any hockey player, they'll tell you there's nothing like playing a game at the Bell Centre. And just ask any hockey fan, there's nothing like watching one there. It's no surprise that after Denver declined the 1976 Winter Olympics, the Games stayed on the continent, and Montréal was more than happy to welcome the world to their unique corner of Canada.
Montréal's two-pronged past is evident around every corner. Whether you're French or English, there is something for you in this fine city. No matter the season, no matter your interest, Montréal can charm you. With its history, with its food, with its architecture, with its people, Montréal is très bien.