Gay Montreal The City of Design

In 2006 Gay Montreal was designated one of three cities in the world to receive the City of Design award. Stunning architecture is seen all throughout the city from the 19th century bank headquarters to the Expo 67 building and the city's myriad of great churches.  Gay Montreal is a city of greatness, although it is considered a young city. This young city boasts a population mainly in secondary schools such as colleges and junior colleges. There are at least 5 universities and 12 junior colleges in a five mile radius so you don’t have to look far for some exciting nightlife.  The nightlife scene here can be a little hectic, especially with the large amount of colleges nearby. During weekends you’ll find packed clubs and filled bars, as the students venture out into the city for their late night partying fix.

Montreal also boasts the infamous Montreal Gay village. The gay village is the center for all things LGBT in Montreal and is a must see destination for the gay traveler. The village is one of the largest gay villages in North America. It comprises of a mix of residents ranging from university students, to straight and lgbt families. Please note that some locals report a little sketchiness in the area but nothing major or particularly life threatening. This place is truly a place that the gay traveler must visit in his or her lifetime. This is definitely a destination not to be missed, I mean who can honestly say they’ve been to one of the largest gay villages in North America. You do not want to miss out of this grand destination.

If you are looking to get around the city then you’ll do just fine without a car. Montreal has a modern and fully functioning metropolitan transit system. This system is great and will allow any traveler to venture around the city for a low fare. You can take the bus or the subway; either way you are sure to end up where you want to go. Remember, this is really a destination that you absolutely cannot miss! For a city with a metro population of more than three million residents, Montreal is pretty easy to maneuver. If you are driving, you’ll find that there is usually street parking in The Village… although street signs are in French, so make sure you understand what they say or you could get ticketed or towed. If you fly to Montreal, there are plenty of taxis, and the Metro (subway system) will take you anywhere you need to go. The Beaudry Metro station is located smack dab in The Village.

Montreal Gay Scene

Originally named “Ville-Marie” (that’s “City of Mary” for you Anglophone bitches), Montreal is a chic, sophisticated gay destination. Although it’s the second-largest French-speaking city in the world (after Paris), you needn’t worry about language barriers; most residents speak English, and getting around is pretty manageable. With triple-peaked Mount Royal in the background, the view of downtown Montreal is a beautiful sight to behold.

Speaking purely in terms of size, Montreal’s gay village is the largest in North America. Luckily for out-of-towners, it’s also easy to find; simply journey down Sainte Catherine Street - the major downtown artery - and you’ll soon see rainbow flags and (gay) “adult entertainment” shops right around Rue Berri. The Village stretches to Rue De Lorimier; in between you’ll find a plethora of bars, clubs, coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants, all serving the local and foreign LGBT community.

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