Here are some tips if one day you come in Quebec, our home !
Quebec is in the East of Canada.. to the opposite of B.C.
A lot of backpacker find that its to far.. its true, it is.. but its really worth to come...!!
We think its important to be ambassadors of our beautifiul province so to be sure that you can enjoy Quebec, Montreal especially, we've try to write all the things that you have to see, the good bars and restaurants.. how the people are.. like that it will be easier for you to travel !!
First, here is the main site where you can find a lot of informations:
http://www.bonjourquebec.com/
Quebequers are friendly (I hope.. because sometimes some dont want to talk english.. its their way to say "I want to stay a french speaking.." Its less and less like that.. we would say that its more the people from 45-50 years old that have been hurted by english people.. so we have to understand them sometimes.. they had a hard time when they were younger.
We appologize for those that are not helping you because of the langage.. but most of Quebequers are smilly, friendly, open-minded and authentic people! We are an emotional population, we are sensitive. We like simplicity and kindness!
History.....
We've been colonised by french people while the English were colonising the rest of Canada. They've been fighting and finally we've stayed french speaking. But you will see, its the same langage but the accent is completly different! ... Like a Scotish accent ..compared to the american accent! Even people from France have a lot of difficulties sometimes !
Some of french quebequer had a hard time with english people and thats why they fighted so much to keep the langage, the religion, etc etc. You will probably meet some strong separatist quebequers ! Quebec have tried two times to separates from Canada, because it has always been a different province compared to the others.. the last referendum.. it was 51% of the vote to stay with Canada, and 49% to leave... that was close.. If you come to Quebec.. you should take your time to visit because there is a lot to see!
First.. if you can be there on our national day, its really big all
over Quebec! People get drunk, there are fireworks, singers.. everybody are together!.. (Its bigger than the Canadian day)
Its the 24th JUNE... but there are festivities on the 23th as well!
If you are in Quebec those dates.. I recommend to go to the "Plaines d'Abraham" in Quebec City!
Summer.. with all the festivals in Montreals, beautiful treckings in the Laurentides, a good ride car in "La Gaspesie", a bike tour around the "Saguenay Lac St-Jean",.dont miss the "St-Jean Baptisme" 24th of June. THE Quebequer national fest. To feel the summit of it, take a ride to Quebec City and party on the "Plaines D'Abraham". Concert are given, the atmosphere is at the highest level !!!
. Falls.. in the Laurentides.. at the Mont Tremblant.. all our leaves turns red, orange, yellow, purple! Its spectacular! Amazingly beautiful !!
Winter.. yes.. we have snow... Yes, its cold.. going sometimes to -20°C or less.. but its beautiful.. go snowbording in Mont Tremblant, or see the village of St-Sauveur (you can ski as well), join the people on the ice and play a traditionnal hockey game ! Iceskate on "Le canal Lachine" with your lover !
Spring.. it smells
good everywhere, everybody are happy !... and.. its the Maple Sirup Season !! Go to a Sugar Shack, and try " la TIRE D'ÉRABLE" on the snow !!!! HUMMMMMM
And finally... whether you come in summer or in any other season.. you have to taste a POUTINE !!! .. youll get addicted! (french fries, cheese, and a special secret sauce ! )
We recommend "La Banquise" restaurant.. So Typical and you can find any kind of poutine you like! (On Rachel St, intersection of Boyer St)
Montreal
Montreal is often compared to Melbourne in Australia.. its an underground city, a beautiful city!
There is a mix of European and American style in the architecture. Because we have a lot of immagration, you can find different kind of restaurants, bars and clubs from every nationality colour!
If you want to feel the friendliness of Quebequer, go to "Les Deux Pierrots", its on "St-Paul" Street in the Old Port, near the "Jacques Quartier place". Its a typical quebequer place.. with singer that interpret different quebequer songs and some english alternative ones as well ! Even if you stay one hour because you dont understand anything ( .. even french people from France have some difficulties sometimes !! ;o) ... stay its a really nice and different place.. we call that " a Singing Box!"
The street St-Laurent has a lot of Trendy Clubs and restaurants!
Ste-Catherine St (shopping, some clubs and bars), St-Laurent St (Clubs, Bars, Restaurants) and St-Denis St (more underground.. nice shopping and nice bars) are the 3 mains street!
Our favorites:
BARS:
L'ESCO (4467 A, St-Denis) Underground bar. Very good atmosphere. Good unknown bands play there.
Le Divan Orange (4234 St Laurent St) Good place where unknown bands play.
La Sala Rossa (4848 boul. St-Laurent) Good place. Concerts given by unknown bands. Spanish restaurant at the first level, the concert room is upstairs.
La Casa Del Popolo (4873 boul. St-Laurent) Nice spanish bar. A lot of bands play music there.
La Quincaillerie (Very original bar, underground. Good if you are a group of people)
Le Sofa (Rachel St/ St-Denis) .. a nice bar, trendy.
- Thursday, Friday and Saturday -
Le Barraca (1134 Mont-Royal Est) -Cute bar, they make Tapas, terrasse-
Bily Kün (354 Mont-Royal Est) Good place to chill out having a beer. A lot of people
Edgar Hypertaverne (1562 Mont-Royal Est) Very good on thursday night
Plan B (327 Mont-Royal Est) -Bar chic-
L'Barouf ( 4171 St-Denis Street) Very good bar, a lot of beers !
Bières et Compagnie (Nice place. Nice atmosphere. Imported Beers)
Baldwin Barmacie (115 Laurier O) Very nice place, trendy-chic.
L'Assomnoir ( 112 Bernard) Trendy. Cute bar-restaurant.
Le St-Sulpice (1680 Saint Denis) Nice bar, big Terrasse, good music, good place to chill out
Le St-Elizabeth (1412 Sainte Élisabeth St /Ste-Catherine St) Really nice bar! Beautiful Terrasse.
GoGo Lounge (3682 Saint Laurent) Very good Martinis, trendy
CLUBS:
Les Deux Pierrots (104 Saint Paul E.) The Place to go !! A Must-See! Typically Quebequer!
-Friday and Saturday-
Le Diable Vert (4557 Saint Denis St)
- Tuesday, Friday and Saturday - Good music (Alternative, Rock, Hip-Hop, R&B)
Le Belmont (4483 Saint Laurent)
Le Loft (1405 Saint Laurent) Club, Mix of Hip Hop, RnB, Alternative)
- Tuesday, Friday, Saturday-
Rouge (7 Prince Arthur) Nice place, good music, 2 levels
SUPPER CLUB:
Buona notte (3518 Saint Laurent) Trendy Supper Club, Italian style
Time Supper Club (If you are a rich backpacker.. you will enjoy this place) Trendy.
If you are in the LAURENTIDES, near St-Sauveur, there is a good and famous place, in Ste-Adele (8 minutes by car from St-Sauveur), called The "BOURBON STREET Nightclub" (195 Sainte Adèle, phone number: 450 229 2905) RnB, HipHop, Alternative.. very popular
The big night: Friday.. but Monday as well
A good cafe place, original, made in a loft .. You feel at home! Bands plays jazz or blues music at night.. CAFE UTOPIK (552, Ste-Catherine Est ) Go upstairs, next to "la Presse International', near the ''Archambault Music"
Hostels:
- Auberge Alternative http://www.auberge-alternative.qc.ca/
- Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal
- Le sous-Bois
- Chez Jean http://www.aubergechezjean.com/fr/
Quebec City
Quebec City is more European, calmer. Its beautiful! -Chateau Frontenac, Plaines D'Abraham, walking on the streets!-
I dont live in Quebec City, so I dont know a lot.. but I know that "Dagobert" bar-club has a very good reputation
Laurentides
We live in this area, its close to montreal ! Its beautiful, you have some mountains, where you can ski, St-Sauveur is a really charming town. The Mont Tremblant, naturally, is a Must-See !
Saguenay Lac St-Jean
If you have some time left, go around this lake, its beautiful ! Warm People! Amazing blueberries and cheese (ask for BOIVIN cheese! Everybody will know!)
La Gaspesie
Rent a car and go there! Its a really beautiful area of Quebec! One of our favorites ! Road trips there are popular! You wont regret it !
So I hope you will know a little bit more about Quebec, Quebequer .. If you come, we hope that the quebequer will be good ambassadors ! If not.. talk with more people Im sure they will be very nice to you ! ;o)