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.
Le Village in a Nutshell
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.
Planning Your “Autoroute”
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.