HISTORY OF MONTRÉAL
"Because of its position in the St. Lawrence River, the island of Montréal was originally a trading area for regional First Nations: the Atikamekw to the north, the Anishinaabe (Algonquin) to the west and the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk), part of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, to the south. This strategic location and fertile soil made Montréal desirable, as archaeological evidence makes clear. Today, the First Nation communities most closely associated with Montréal are the Kanien’kehá:ka—who named the island Tiotià:ke—in the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory on the South Shore and the Kanehsatà:ke Lands on the North Shore, near Oka.
Home to First Nations peoples, this island gem on the magnificent St. Lawrence River in time saw travellers from far and wide land on its shores before becoming a bustling port city. The French colonists were the first to arrive, followed by the English, the Scottish and the Irish. Later, myriad peoples from around the world settled the lush swaths stretching up to Mount Royal.
Today, 120 distinct ethnic communities are represented in its population of more than 3.6 million, making Montréal a veritable mosaic of cultures and traditions. The world’s second largest francophone city after Paris, it merits the moniker ‘international’ city, a cosmopolitan centre with proud roots in the past that enthusiastically embraces the future. A world leader in such industries as aeronautics, information technology and biotechnology, the city has also made significant innovations in medicine, multimedia, the arts and urban planning. Its avant-garde spirit has not gone unnoticed: in 2006, Montréal was named a UNESCO City of Design.”
MONTRÉAL AT A GLANCE
Multiculturalism and Bilingualism: Montréal is a bilingual city, where French and English coexist (mostly) harmoniously. You’ll hear both languages in the streets, restaurants, and academic institutions.
Explore a World of Flavors in Montréal: Dive into classic poutine, savor inconic bagels and smoked meat, and discover hidden gems in each neighborhood.
Green Spaces: Walk up a tree-covered mountain in the middle of the city, picnic with locals by a fountain, read a book in a city square.
Culture and Arts: Explore museums, art galleries, and theaters. The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Quartier des Spectacles are wonderful places to visit.
Nightlife: Montréal is vibrant after sunset. Bars, streets, cafes, parks, clubs, and festivals offer diverse opportunities to interact with communities or be entertained.
TIPS FOR FOREIGN VISITORS
A few options to travel from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to downtown Montréal:
Airport Shuttle (public transportation): The 747 Express Bus is a direct shuttle service that connects the airport to downtown. It operates 24/7 and stops at various key locations in the city. The fare is $10 CAD (exact change required) and includes unlimited travel on the STM (Société de transport de Montréal) network for 24 hours. The 747 bus stop is located just outside the arrivals terminal.
Taxi or ride-sharing: Taxis are readily available at the airport. The approximate cost for a taxi ride to downtown Montréal should be around $40 to $50 CAD, depending on traffic and your exact destination. Alternatively, ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft work very well.
Transportation in town:
The metro and bus system is efficient and allows easy movement around the city. The underground metro is safe, reliable and highly recommended. You can use Google Maps or your favorite mapping app to find the best route around town.
Montréal is an easy, walkable city but you can also rent BIXI bicycles to ride almost anywhere, wander through Old Montréal, visit Mount Royal, and explore eclectic neighborhoods like Plateau-Mont-Royal.
Currency and money:
The local currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD). Credit cards are widely accepted.
Taxes in Montréal are calculated as follows: a 5% Federal Goods & Services tax and a 9.975% Provincial Goods & Services tax. Only basic groceries (breads, dairy, fruits, vegetables, etc.) are not taxed. Taxes paid by visitors are not reimbursable.
Service is not included in restaurants, so it is customary to add a minimum 15% tip to the total before taxes.
Electricity:
The electric current is 110V and plugs are the same as those in the US. If you come from a country that uses 220V electricity, you will need an adapter (for computers, cell phones, tablets / iPads, cameras etc.) or a converter to transform voltage (for your hairdryer, electric shavers, etc.)
Climate:
In August, Montréal enjoys pleasant, warm weather but sometimes the hot and humid climate can carry heatwaves. Pack light clothing and sunscreen.
Language:
Though Montréal is a bilingual city, learn a few basic French phrases: Montréalers will appreciate the effort.
EXPERIENCING MONTRÉAL
Some Neighborhoods
Old Montréal: Old Montréal is an historic neighbourhood with a charming European vibe. Be transported back in time as you wander down the cobblestone streets and admire the stunning architecture.
Quartier des Spectacles: Montréal's cultural hub for more than a century, the Quartier des Spectacles boasts North America's most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues, confirming Montréal’s place as one of the world's great cultural metropolises.
Chinatown: Montréal’s Chinatown, situated in the Ville-Marie borough, occupies roughly one square block, the four corners of which are marked by large ornate Paifang Gates. Established in the early 1890s, it has survived expropriation and redevelopment and features many great places to eat and shop.
The Village: The Village brings out the very best of Montréal: diversity, openness, creativity and joie de vivre. It is one of the most important LGBTQ+ districts in North America, with bustling nightlife, great dining options and friendly locals.
Places to Visit
Mount Royal Park: This park is Montréal's largest green space and a great place for admiring a wide variety of flora and fauna. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same person behind New York's Central Park, Mount Royal Park boasts miles of trails and superb views of the city. Great for a picnic!
Montréal Biodome: Embark on an immersive, multi-sensory journey through the varied ecosystems of the Americas at the Montréal Biodome. Here, you can see tropical creatures in a rainforest, underwater creatures and marine life, lynx and beavers in a Laurentian maple forest, and penguins in the cool Arctic.
Montréal Botanical Garden: This large garden in the city is part of Montréal Space for Life—Canada’s largest natural sciences museum complex—with over 22,000 species of plants, exhibition greenhouses, and wonderful thematic gardens.
Montréal Museum of fine Arts: The MMFA is one of Canada’s most visited museums and the eighth most-visited museum in North America, boasting more than 1.3 million visitors. The MMFA's original temporary exhibitions combine various artistic disciplines – fine arts, music, film, fashion and design – and are exported around the world.
Montréal Ferris Wheel: Enjoy an amazing panorama 60 meters high on the largest observation wheel in Canada. La Grande Roue de Montréal brings you an unforgettable experience in a comfy gondola. A unique activity in the picturesque setting of Old Montréal, on the shore of the mighty Saint Lawrence River.
Jean-Drapeau Park: A jewel nestled in the St. Lawrence River, Parc Jean-Drapeau is without doubt one of Montréal most precious assets for a multitude of outdoor activities.
OASIS Immersion: Dive into the captivating world of "Root for Nature" at Oasis Immersion, an exceptional immersive experience in Montreal. This exhibition highlights the splendor of nature through breathtaking audiovisual. In conjunction with the PECS conference, we are offering an exclusive promo code to explore this wonder: PECSOASIS15, giving you a 15% discount on your tickets (to obtain the discount, add the promo code at time of payment on the website). Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience nature like never before.
The exhibition will be presented on the following dates:
- August 13: 10 AM to 8.20 PM
- August 14: 10 AM to 4 PM
- August 15: 10 AM to 8.20 PM
- August 17: 1.00 PM to 8.20 PM
- August 18: 10.00 AM to 12.00 PM
McGill University: Canada's oldest university, home to nearly 30,000 students, is filled with a variety of interesting architectural styles and has two magnificent campuses: downtown and Macdonald, to the west of the city center.
OUR FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS
Chinatown district
The place for Chinese food (like dim sum and soups)
Between downtown and old Montreal
Neo
Tokyo
Best ramen
in Old Montreal
360 Rue St-Jacques
Maison Indian Curry
The Indian food specialist
996, rue Jean-Talon O
Fairmount Bagel
First bagel bakery in Montreal.
74 Av. Fairmount O
Drogheria Fine
The perfect place for gnocchi
68 av. Fairmount O
Kem Coba
Most popular ice cream in town
60 Av. Fairmount O
Bernie Beigne
Very famous donuts in Montreal
23 Rue Bernard O
IMMERSION IN MONTRÉAL'S ENVIRONMENT
Sport: Visit a community gym or yoga studio to get some exercise and meet the locals. There are many climbing and bouldering gyms. You can even surf in Montreal on the standing waves in Lachine and elsewhere.
Nature: Go birdwatching or jogging on Mount Royal or at the Montreal Botanical Gardens early in the morning.
Food: Visit Mile End at any time of day to get 24h fresh bagels, or drop by the famed Italian Social Club or Olimpico for a coffee in a glass. You can also bring a picnic and a bottle of wine to Parc Lafontaine or Parc Laurier (it’s legal!)
Market: Visit the Jean-Talon market for fresh produce, foraged mushrooms, fish and Quebec cheeses. You can pass through Little Italy on the way for a coffee and pastries.
Festivals: Lasso Festival (August 16 and 17) is a two-day country music festival held at Espace 67 in Parc Jean-Drapeau, just minutes from downtown on île Sainte-Hélène. This hot new country festival promises boot stomping, hand clapping performances from a slew of country’s hottest stars across the spectrum of genres. A list of other festivals in August 2024 here.
Walk: Wander down pedestrian streets where cars are banished for the summer. Mt. Royal Ave is full of restaurants, coffee shops and thrift stores, Duluth street is a charming bricked street full of bring-your-own-wine restaurants, Wellington and Ontario pedestrian blocks are the ‘new’ hot streets to visit, and the Gay Village has been pedestrianized with over 50 outdoor seating areas. You can find walking tours here.
Bike ride: Hop on a Bixi and pedal through Montreal's history! Explore the Lachine Canal, a Parks Canada gem, on a 14.5 km route. This scenic path winds from the Old Port to Lake Saint-Louis, weaving through remnants of Montreal's industrial past and a vibrant neighborhood buzzing with art galleries, restaurants, bars and shops. Don't miss a stop at Atwater Market, where you can stock up on gourmet goodies, fresh flowers, or a pick-me-up coffee.
Mohawk Reserve: Visit Kahnawake, a Mohawk Reserve close to Montreal (https://kahnawaketourism.com/). Kahnawà:ke’s rich culture lives on every day through its people and traditions. Some examples are the annual Pow Wows, and exhibits at the Kanien’kehà:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitiohkwa Language and Cultural Center. The Kahnawà:ke. Welcome Centre is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and is a short drive from downtown Montreal.
Other: Spend some time at Tam-Tams on Sunday afternoons (11ish onward) where hundreds of drummers, dancers, and vendors congregate around the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Monument in Parc Mount Royal.
Montréal awaits you with bustling streets, green spaces, and a dynamic scientific community. Make the most of every moment and let this city inspire you—it’s a place of endless possibilities.
Welcome to Tiohtià:ke Montréal!
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact pecs2024@agoraopus3.com
Registration period
March 01, 2024 - 08:00 until August 1, 2024 - 23:30
Conference Venue: Centre Mont-Royal, 2200, Rue Mansfield, Montréal, QC, Canada, H3A 3R8