Montreal was always a major trade center, and a major transportation hub. Montreal is the largest inland port in the world, and has access to a large road, rail and air transportation network, with links to Canada and the United States. As a result of its success, the port of Montreal slowly shifted its location over time, with new buildings taking the place of old. In the end, Montreal’s original port was mostly abandoned and out of use. During a period of urban renewal the entire old port was turned into a recreational area – and a popular area for people going out on a date. Today, as the mercury hit 20 degrees (centigrade) and the sun was out in full force, couples flocked to the area.
From here you can see part of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel and Bonsecours Market. The Chapel was built in 1657 and has a giant statue of a figure reaching out to the seas. Bonsecours Market, with its giant silver dome, is a giantic Greek/Roman-styled building which still has many shopping opportunities available.
More importantly, Bonsecours Market is a major historical landmark. Originally it served as the site of the home of the last leader of New France (Francois Bigot). A person of far greater importance also made use of facilities at this location in the form of the great Charles Dickens. Dickens, who was returning from the United States, directed and acted in three small plays (A Roland for An Oliver, Deaf as a Post and Past Two O’Clock in the Morning) during the 2 weeks he was in Montreal. The theatre was eventually demolished and the land was used to build the Bonsecours Market in 1847. The designer of the building, one William Footner, believed that his design would imbed an image of a rich and prosperous Montreal in visitors. In his zeal to do Montreal honour, he designed one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Canada. It served as a major public market for almost 100 years. Recently re-opened, there are many fashionable boutiques which operate out of the building today. As an aside, Bonsecours Market served as home to the Canadian Parliament between April 26th and May 7th 1849, after idiots burnt down the original Canadian Parliament. (Whether these idiots are related to the ones who built the Olympic Stadium is uncertain).
One of the problems with living in Quebec is that outward displays of patriotism is inevitably targetted by losers who can’t tolerate anything other than their own vision of Quebec’s Independence being enforced over everyone else. Canadian flags may get spraypainted, torn up, and the businesses displaying them may be vandalized. This shopkeeper, in a show of some mercantile cunning, bundles the Canadian flag with the Quebec flag to ward off these vandals.
The Old Port is a beacon to young people across the city. On a day like today, skipping class is almost a tradition. Hackey Sack was their excuse to ditch the Mr. Smith’s history class. Although it probably marks a big change in my thinking, I really don’t think it is a big deal. The education system has always been about creating factory workers, not free thinkers. (Trust me, a hard admission to make after spending almost 19 years studying)
There are two fundamental laws of fashion in Montreal. The first one is that you can wear the best Chanel clothes with the most expensive Louis Vuitton handbag – but you are never fashionable when you are alone.
The second law is that public shows of affection are always – always – the fashion in Montreal.
This obsession with almost-nausiating outward displays of affection has become a part of Montreal’s tourist materials. “As Montreal as a Two-Cheek Kiss” was one of the catch phrases with which they tried to lure unwary travellers to this city.
Ignore anything you may see on signs – everyone walks their dog in this city. This nice lady kindly let me take a picture – before her dog nearly devoured one of my friends who had come along for the photo shoot 
Beaver Tails are a sort of fried pancake, with chocolate (and other sweets) put on top. They cost about 5$, taxes included. As you can guess, they are awful for your health but very popular nonetheless.
The inimitable Charles Dickens had mentioned ‘the busy quays of Montreal’ among other things he had respected about Canada. The port system of Montreal handled 24.3 million tonnes of cargo year-round in 2005, and provided economic spinoffs to the sum of nearly $2 billion. If Montreal is to reverse its recent declines, its port activities must be the backbone of the recovery effort – it is the only service Montreal can provide that cannot be provided, easily, by other Northeastern cities.
The redevelopment of the Old Port area was a great success. As late as 1982, the Old Port of Montreal had become merely a collection of grain silos and inaccessable to the vast population. Just in time for the city’s 350th anniversary, the Old Port and Old Montreal were completely redone. The Old Port became the park it is today, and an attraction for nearly five million people every year. With fashion boutiques, an IMAX theatre, a science center, and a beautiful waterfront park, the Old Port is a rare example of post-1970s success in Montreal. Its 1992 redevelopment gives Montreal a glimpse into the glorious days that once were, and the even more glorious days that may remain yet to come.