On August 17, 1998 in the afternoon we picked up our car in the parking garage below the Novotel Montreal in downtown.
Driving to the large parking area at Old Port of Montréal, from there we walked, with my Burberry umbrella in hand... to Rue Notre Dame.
It sure worked for warding off the rain!
On video you see the Old Port with the Jacques Cartier Bridge over the Lawrence River.
Also visible in beginning of our video is the 1922 Clock Tower, to the right of Jacques Cartier Bridge.
This year the Clock Tower celebrates its Birthday!!!
La Tour de l'Horloge a 100 ans! | The Clock Tower is 100 years old! ←click for short video.
Now we continue to 275 Rue Notre Dame Est, to Montréal's City Hall.
Most Interesting Places at Montreal – Gets Ready ←click link
Montreal – Administration and society ←click link
Such a dream of a building!
In French it is called Hôtel de ville.
Oui Montréal c'est toi ma ville! or in English: Yes, Montréal you are my city!
The exhibition that was going on was about 50 years of human rights.
Look at the exceptional Fleur de Lys ornaments in the garden design on our video!!!
Also a huge planter filled with herbs, me smelling them...
Incredible garden!
This French culture, including the language, made us feel so much home!
~
Then in the very end in the video, I walk towards a linden tree for seeing its seeds...
Thoughts of Dad came flashing back!
Fond memories of me, in the front seat of his bike, as a toddler as Dad took me to a pilgrimage place in Ommel, North Brabant/The Netherlands. There was a huge linden tree.
I let my tiny hands run through them and Dad did pick some for bringing home from that shrine...
Did mention that very fact in an earlier post: Monticello Gardens of President Thomas Jefferson and Mulberry Row ←click link
Another fabulous part of our visit to Montréal and hope you enjoyed it as well!
Have you been there yourself?
Related links:
Montréal Windsor Station and Mary Queen of the World Cathedral | previous post by me
Sainte Anne de Beaupré Basilica, Québec, Canada | previous post by me
Cathedral–Basilica of Notre Dame de Québec from 1647 | previous post by me
Canyon Sainte Anne — Québec, Canada | previous post by me
Different times and different tastes and architecture. Amazing how elegant and imposing old style buildings are, and it is so good they are preserved. In the UK we have various grades of "listed" buildings that you cannot pull down or alter in any way.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mariette, for sharing your travel photos and experiences with us.
God bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThere is nothing more beautiful than the architecture of that era!
So happy that the Province of Québec has preserved a lot of it for enjoying it till present day.
The Dutch also have a kind of 'Monument' list and it is good for preserving history and culture.
We love to share these beauties with readers here and above all, enjoy reliving the moments digitally.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette! Lovely memories!
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteYes, very fond memories from a province we love so much!
Hugs,
Mariette
These are more familiar sites! The old parts of Montreal (and Quebec City) are beautiful, fabulous old world architecture. I'm glad you were able to visit!
ReplyDeleteI was born in Montreal, but moved to Gaspé, Quebec, when I was three years old. Dad's mom remained in Montreal for decades, though, and we used to visit her every few months when we drove up for my orthodontics. I loved visiting (except for the appointments!).
Dearest Kim,
DeleteGlad it did bring back some fond memories for you as well.
Oh, the architecture of Old Québec and Montréal are lovely and indeed have the Old World charm.
Our friend Hélène, who is from Québec City now lives in Montréal and both of us went back to visit her and André in 2005; another 8 day trip in early September. André had been the CEO of a plant here in Dublin and we became friends during the years they were living here.
Sure, there is no better guide than a native, so they took us the north and south route alongside the Saint Lawrence River, to Québec City. We visited her Parents and found so many traditions, identical to Limburg in the deep south of The Netherlands where we live the Burgundian lifestyle! They stayed with her Parents and we in a hotel near Québec City.
We also went to Île d'Orleans and to Lotbinière in search of her ancestors and found a grave from 1650-1714. What a thrill. In Trois-Rivières we had lunch together
Hélène also took us to the Marché Jean Talon in Montréal... what a dream compared to what we got here.
In 1998 I'd loved to reach Gaspé, where you moved to at age three. Had read about the whale watching, but adding another 700 km driving one–way, was not feasible for us at that time...
You must have made a long trip by going to the orthodontist in Montréal!
Memories...
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi, Mariette and Pieter!
ReplyDeleteThose topiaries are gorgeous. Did they feel as fluffy as they appear to be?
Monteal seems amazing and full of history. No wonder you both love it so much! And I'm glad that Linden tree brought you such fond memories of your dad!
PS - As usual, I loved your outfit!
:)
Dearest Paula,
DeleteOh, we were so impressed with that garden around the City Hall and yes, they did feel very fluffy; so lush!
A very rich city with lots of French influence which we loved so much.
Every linden tree brings back fond memories of my Dad, related to that very special shrine he took me to.
Thank you for liking my outfit. Still have all that; need to wear it once more for a picture—including the Burberry umbrella 😏
Hugs,
Mariette
Topiary is an art form and those are gorgeous!
DeleteYes, I believe you have to take a picture with that outfiy, including the umbrella. I know I said this many times, but it is true: you and Pieter are roll models, when it comes to buying savy and smart.
Quality and taste before quantity!
:)
Those topiaries were the best we both ever saw Paula! Indeed a true art.
DeleteWill promise to do that... my top must be in the laundry bin and I'm slowly getting it all done...
Thank you very much and we both treasure things. We think it very well through before acquiring something and then it is for keeps! Loyalty in regard to people and in a way also towards things; we definitely are not impulsive buyers and we are not at all influenced by commercials...😜
Hugs,
Mariette and Pieter
🤗
DeleteSon preciosas las fotos de tu viaje. Son muy bellos esos edificios.
ReplyDeleteBesos.
Querida Antónia,
Delete¡Sí, esa es de hecho una hermosa arquitectura!
Abrazos,
Mariette
Es ist eine Freude das Video anzuschauen... vor allem ist es wunderbar in frühere Zeiten einzutauchen und das Flair von damals zu spüren. Vielen Dank Mariette.
ReplyDeleteHug
Liebe Viola,
DeleteDas Video ist von damals aber alle Gebäude, einschließlich uns Beide sind noch immer da! 😏
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette
Love the ornate architecture.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your visit to Montréal, dearest Mariette.
Hugs and blessings!
Dearest Veronica,
DeleteThank you! Old Montréal has so much history...
Hugs,
Mariette
My dear friend -- I've barely been out of Kansas (maybe twice for school and right back, haha), and never so far. But my-oh-my that building is beautiful! I love the old style architecture -- it must be just as fabulous inside! I love to "travel" with you by proxy lol... you'd make a very good tour guide in real life, Mariette! Big hugs, Diana
ReplyDeleteDearest Diana,
DeleteThank you for traveling along and that's exactly the purpose of these posts; to share the beautiful architecture!
Hugs,
Mariette
I am just catching up on the blogs! Yes, I have been to Quebec city in 2010 and Montreal in 2013, and enjoyed the architecture of the old cities very much. We have been across to Quebec Province into Gatineau from Ottawa many times, and love the French atmosphere. Hoping to return there next Northern Spring. Lovely posts.
ReplyDeleteDearest Patricia,
DeleteThank you for your visit and happy to read that you have been to both cities and love the architecture as well.
May you enjoy your visit back next spring!
Hugs,
Mariette
I liked the architecture. I'm sure I'd like to see the city.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteOh, you certainly would love to walk around there...!
Hugs,
Mariette