The City
Though Montréal island is a large 51km by 16km, the heart of the
city is very manageable, and is divided into Vieux-Montréal - along
the St Lawrence River - a downtown high-rise business core, on the
south side of the hill of Mont Royal, and the lively Plateau and
Quartier Latin neighbourhoods to the east. Sherbrooke, de
Maisonneuve, Ste-Catherine and René-Lévesque are the main east-west
arteries, divided into east ( est ) and west ( ouest
) sections by the north-south boulevard St-Laurent, known locally
as "The Main". Street numbers begin from St-Laurent and increase
the further east or west you travel: thus 200 rue Sherbrooke ouest
is about three blocks west of the Main and 1000 boul René-Lévesque
est is about ten blocks east of the Main. North-south street
numbers increase north from the St Lawrence River.
You're most likely to start by sampling the old-world charm of
Vieux-Montréal . The narrow cobblestoned streets, alleys and
squares are perfect for strolling, and every corner reveals an
architectural gem, from monumental public edifices to the city's
first steep-roofed homes. Close by, the Vieux-Port holds the
new iSci centre and is a departure point for getting out on the
water. To the north, in the compact downtown area, the glass
frontages of the office blocks reflect Victorian terraces and the
spires of numerous churches, clustered within the shadow of the
city's landmark, Mont Royal , which the residents simply
call "The Mountain". Meanwhile, the mountain's eastern plateau is
the spot where the city's pulse beats fastest as the eateries and
bars of The Main throng with people day and night. On the
city's outskirts the enormous Stade Olympique complex and
the vast green of the Jardin Botanique are the main pull.
Beneath street level the passages of the Underground City
link hotels, shopping centres and offices with the Métro.
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