View down to the City of Montreal
Mont-Royal Park
Not sure who loved this park more: Me or my dog. We enjoyed wonderful walks at all times of the year. He knew all the roads that lead to the park and jumped up and down in the car when I drove towards the Mont-Royal - the royal mountain.
There are activities for all ages, no matter the season or the weather. Parking is not cheap, but if you are fit, you can walk up from downtown via Peel St or Pine Ave. One of the best ways to explore as much of the park as possible is through a walking tour.
Whether you decide to wander on your own or join a discovery walk, it’s a great way to spot wildlife and admire the abundant flora during the warm season. Come winter, join an organized snowshoe excursion and enjoy the fresh air while keeping yourself warm with a cup of hot chocolate.
Winter sports galore: As soon as the snow covers the once lush greenery of the park, Mount Royal becomes a winter sports paradise. People come for ice skating under the starry sky, snow tubing on the hills overlooking Beaver Lake, and even cross-country skiing. There are lots of organized events available for all ages.
View in late November
Activities for the warmer days: Trade the heated city streets with the shaded forest paths in Mount Royal Park. In summer, the park welcomes visitors to go paddling on Beaver Lake, rent a remote-controlled sailboat, or stay on dry land and explore the trails. There are lots of outdoor cafes to cool off, as well as other events to take part in.
Belvedere Hall
While exploring the park you will find several of its landmarks, including Smith House, a former private residence, and Beaver Lake Pavillion. Check out Camillien-Houde and Kondiaronk Belvedere spots for breathtaking panoramic views of the city from high above. The Belvedere has an impressive hall with comfortable chairs, clean washrooms downstairs, and a self-serve cantina that they call Cafe. It’s not cozy, but the small selection of cakes and pastries are tasting delicious. Sit in the impressive hall on comfy chairs with a view of the city and enjoy your coffee.
Leonard Cohen’s Grave
By chance, I found it on a Google map: If you love Leonard Cohen’s poesy and songs, don’t miss visiting his grave at the Mont-Royal cemetery. A rather small grave - compared to the huge Cohen grave next to it. Visitors place small stone pebbles on it and lots of red roses. The Hebrew word for pebble is tz'ror which also means 'bond''. The bond, between the deceased and the mourner... Leonard Cohen died in November 2016. One can see that many people are coming here, as the grass around the grave has totally gone. Drive or walk to 1250 Foret Rd Cemetery, it's just steps from one of the entrance doors.
See also a wonderful large Cohen mural on Crescent St, and one on the corner of St. Dominique and Napoleon St, in the Plateau area. A larger-than-life work of art, for a larger-than-life artist.
On the one-year anniversary of Leonard Cohen’s death, a massive mural of the famed artist was inaugurated on Crescent Street. The mural took two artists, 13 assistant artists, 240 cans of paint, and thousands of hours of work. The 22-story portrait measures a whopping 1100 sq. ft.
Leonard Cohen's last modest home can be seen on 28 Rue Vallières, next to the Parc Portugal, and his favored Deli (Schwartz). Listen to some of Cohen’s most famous songs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRjVdu_cLwI&t=4853s
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