How to Photograph a Montréal Vacation

Quebec Province in Canada is a wonderful travel adventure and for those of us in the eastern United States it is very accessible by car. Montréal is just an 8-hour drive from New York City. Quebec City is just a 3-hour drive from Montréal and truly the most "French" city in North America. Montréal is the largest city in Quebec and although it has a very European feel, it is really a true cosmopolitan blend of French and English cultures. Montréal is a photographer's delight situated at the foot of a small mountain; each street offers a different elevated view of the city. The city is a blend of very old and very new architecture with beautiful parks, monuments and people to photograph. This article offers a few tips on how to get great pictures of your visit and some resources on how to plan your trip.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A USA Passport
• Access to the Internet
• A Camera

1. Notre Dame Plaza

   Take some scenic shots of the old monuments and buildings. One of the first things you should do in Montréal is go to the Old Town and visit the Old Port area. There are many old buildings to photograph and great cafes and restaurants to break your journey. The old town is basically a flat area and going there first will be a good way to work up to tacking the hills of Montréal. On your way down to the docks make sure you visit Notre Dame Cathedral and the Champs de Mars area. These areas were named and modeled after those in Paris, and although there is no Eiffel Tower, you can get some great scenic views from the top of the Clock Tower. It is a long walk up to the top, but more good training for the hills. It will take more than one visit to the Old Town to photograph it, so going there first will enable you to plan your time better.

2. Place Victoria

   When you tire of the Old Town start walking the hills to see the rest of the city. Saint Catherine's Street is the main business area and loaded with shopping, clubs and restaurants. Many of the new buildings are beautiful examples of modern architecture and great people-watching places like Place Victoria. The Metro in Montréal is also similar to that of Paris and very easy to use. You can save some hill walking by walking through parts of the underground and using the escalators. Knowing how the underground is connected can be very important in the cold weather months and for using the Metro.

3. Montréal Botanical Garden

   Visit the vast system of parks in Montréal. There are a lot of beautiful parks and gardens throughout the city. The most sensational garden is the Montréal Botanical Garden. This is one of the world's largest and most spectacular botanical gardens complete with Japanese and Chinese gardens and a large Insectarium. Besides, where else can you see a four-poster grass bed?

4. See It By Horse

   A great way to see the sites is to spring for a horse carriage ride. They can be found at Notre Dame and throughout the Old Town. The drivers know the entire history of the city and will be glad to slow down or stop so you can take pictures.

5. Montréal Jazz Festival

   One of the best times to visit Montréal is during the International Jazz Festival. This world-renowned event features the world's top jazz performers playing on multiple free stages day and night throughout the city. The largest acts play inside clubs and auditoriums, but will also play short sets outside at the open stages. If jazz is not your thing, the Montréal Comedy Festival and Montréal Film Festival are other summer events that offer great people-watching and photographic opportunities. The city is one of the most lively cities I have ever visited at any time, but very special during these signature festivals.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to take your charger and carry extra batteries and media storage cards for your camera. Exchange rates aside, Montréal is a very expensive city.

• Make sure you carry your passport with you at all times.

• Montréal is a large city and city skills need to be used.

Resources

• Quebec Tourism Site
• Montréal Jazz Festival
• Montréal Comedy Festival