Un voyage dans le Vieux-Montréal
Buildings in Old Montreal, taken on Sept. 1, 2024. Photos by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online.
It was my first time visiting Montreal and I had been enjoying the weeklong vacation with my mom and younger sister. We later were joined by a family friend from New York City that my mom has known since before I was even born.
It was now Sept 1, and we had spent the day prior getting the chance to catch up with that friend. We decided that we would make a day out of visiting Old Montreal.
Like the rest of our trip, we had no language barrier to overcome, as everyone was able and willing to speak in English. Though at times, my younger sister communicated in French, wanting to hone her French skills.
When we first arrived in the neighbourhood, what captured my attention was how different the architecture was in contrast to the rest of the city, largely similar to European buildings. Many of the structures date back to New France, a period within the 16th-18th centuries, when the city was founded by its French settlers.
Along the streets of Old Montreal taken on Sept 1, 2024. Photo by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online
Another thing I noticed was how lively the neighbourhood was. It was the most tourist setting that I had encountered during my time in Montreal and navigating around all the other tourists was at times difficult.
An interesting fact about why the architecture was built in this specific style was because Europeans who settled in the New World in the 16th and 17th centuries wanted to transplant their civilization.
“I loved the cobblestone roads and walkways; I thought it was very beautiful. There is a sense of days of old in that,” said my mother, Tsitsi Bimha. “The buildings were also gorgeous; some had stone and cement which truly brought a timeless beauty to them. It took you away from the modern city and transported you to a different time.”
Bimha said the stores they had took her back to her childhood, due to the big sense of community merchants, as opposed to chain retailers nowadays.
“They also had souvenir stores and a Formula One store, which had merchandise for fans of all ages of motor racing. The diversity of restaurants was also a big attraction and why so many people would love visiting. The outdoor vendors also had a lot of art and trinkets that captured the beauty of the city,” she said.
Outside view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel on Sept 1, 2024. Photo by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online.
One building that I found fascinating was the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, which is the oldest stone chapel in Montreal, dating back to 1773. The chapel came to be after St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, the founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame, rallied the colonists to build a chapel.
The first chapel was completed in 1678, but was lost to a fire in 1754. It was then rebuilt again from 1771-73 and has stood since.
When I stepped inside the church, it was hard not to be mesmerized by how intricate and astonishing the interior was. It was especially remarkable due to being constructed in the 18th century. Just being inside alone you could feel the level of significance the chapel had, while it still brought on a welcoming atmosphere.
As expected, there were many tourists’ attractions within the neighbourhood, from restaurants and cafés to souvenir shops. But one place that caught my family’s attention was Design Zola. Design Zola is a boutique that sells handmade, fair trade, and eco-friendly furniture, gifts, and decor from India and Turkey. They also sell fashion, such as clothing, bags, jewelry and rings, which I purchased for myself.
Inside view of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, taken on Sept 1, 2024. Photo by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online.
Outside view of Bonsecours Market, taken on Sept 1, 2024. Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online
Another building that captivated me was the Bonsecours Market constructed in 1847. It served as the main public market in Montreal for over a century. It also was Montreal’s City Hall for over two decades and briefly served as Upper and Lower Canada’s Parliament in the mid 1800s. In some ways, it was almost like looking at the U.S. Capitol, due to its rotunda and the eerily similar pillars at the entrance.
Finally, after leisurely walking down the vibrant streets, we made our way to the Old Port of Montreal, off the St. Lawrence River. The port has been used as far back as the early 17th century, when French fur traders used it as a trading post.
Journeying along the port was breathtaking while watching the St. Lawrence River silently rage on while the day passed by.
A cafe and restaurant section of the neighbourhood, taken on Sept 1, 2024. Photo by Anashe Mapuranga/Spoke Online.
The port was home to an amusement park that featured a pirate-themed park called Voiles en Voiles and La Grande Roue de Montreal the tallest Ferris wheel in Canada at 60 m. It also had rock climbing and a zipline. My sister and myself got an exhilarating experience ziplining over the water, among other attractions.
“The scenery in general was amusing. Seeing the cobblestone streets, and old architectural buildings made for a European trip vibe,” said by Rutendo Mapuranga, my younger sister, 17.
“It felt like being in a whole different world from Kitchener, so pretty and fascinating. There were so many charming little establishments as well, like the cute cafes, and the trinket stores,” she said. “The waterfront was something I just looked at and found beautiful, and something I loved was zip-lining over it!”
My first trip to Montreal felt like an out-of-body experience. It was a breath of fresh air from what I’ve become accustomed to, having lived in Kitchener for so long and not traveled often. It was especially gratifying as my family had all found things that piqued their curiosity while in Old Montreal. Rhe thrill of this vacation has me greatly anticipating my next trip.
