Mlle Swan va à Montréal

I'm about to let North America's best-kept secret out of the bag. Ready? Set?

 

It's like someone took a chunk of Paris and wedged it between New England and the Maritimes. Only it's cheaper. And it's right here in our own backyard! (no, I'm not saying Canada is the backyard of the US, so stop it right there with that Canada joke you are brewing)

Are you digging this? The jetlag-free French experience. Now don't get me wrong, I love visiting Paris just as much as every other crepe-loving-idealist American, but sans the Eiffel Tower, a few priceless masterpieces and a triumphant arch here and there, Montreal has it all. Who says Lance Armstrong needs to bike up the main drag in your town to make it cool? 

I was shocked at how much I loved this city. Maybe it was because it's not exhausted on the 'Top Places to Go' lists and I wasn't expecting too much? Or maybe it was the pervasive street art, the "we're French and we know it" cafes that line the streets, or the beautiful cathedrals? Or perhaps it was the woman at the gas station who could definitely speak English, but would only respond to me in French? Je ne sais pas quoi.

 

Did I nearly wet myself when we saw this? I'll never tell.



The LDS temple might be next to an adult novelty store, but again - I'll never tell  

Could not have asked for a better travel buddy

Notre Dame Cathedral

Olympic Stadium from Mount Royal

You know you are in an artsy town when there are polka dots on the street

Rue Saint Denis

Who needs the Red Light District? It's right here!

Feelin ritzy in the financial district

So next time you are thinking of shelling out thousands of dollars to go visit gay ol' Paris, pocket those extra loonies and go be amazed at Montreal.