Hector Guimard - Montreal Metro Square Victoria

Square Victoria Metro Station / Saint Antoine Entrance
Restored and Re-inaugurated in September 2003

A Touch of Gay Paree

This is an authentic Art Nouveau Parisian metro entrance portico from the Paris Métro System. It was given to Montreal in 1967 by the French to commemorate the collaboration of Canadian and French engineers in building our metro system. This cast-iron entrance portico is truly a gem and an important example of the Art Nouveau style. We're very proud to have this because it is also the only authentic Hector Guimard entrance in use on a metro station, anywhere in the world outside Paris. So, whenever you're in town, be sure to check it out! One more reason to visit Montreal? I hope so.

Not a Fun Day

Last winter our oil furnace gave up the ghost! We had no choice but to replace it and decided on going with an electric furnace instead. However, for that to happen, we were forced to upgrade our electrical service. As a result, bright and too early this morning, three electricians in two fully loaded trucks appeared at our front steps. What ensued was six hours of house arrest: we were trapped in the house with no electricity, no internet, no house telephone nor hot water. Weee! What fun! Luckily, thanks to the expertise of Lumax Electrique, all went smoothly. Phase two, a report on the installation of the electric furnace will follow shortly. Stay tuned.

Toqué! Restaurant, Montreal

The cheerful and playful sign for Toque!

The patio terrace is perfect for dining al fresco.

The New York Times has described Montreal's Toque! Restaurant as a haute cuisine haven. From what I've heard, the foie gras appetizer and lamb entree are to die for. And the food presentation is second to none. Add a glass of Merlot to that and let's do lunch!

Recipe from Toque! --- Salmon with Maple Syrup Confit

Big Beautiful Cottonwood

 If only this tree could talk, oh what stories it could tell.

Colour My World

We're five days into the summer and all we've had is rain. Here are the blossoms of three Japanese Tree Peonies from my garden. They provide a much needed blast of colour and fragrance. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks to Petula Clark for inspiring me. Please Click Here.

Chinese Antiques: Tango Martini

One of my favorite shops in the neighborhood is Tango Martini. They have some of the most exquisite antique Chinese furniture that I've ever seen in Montreal. Take a look at their website and you'll see what I mean. Owners, Carol and Joel, also carry a select inventory of precious antique Chinese baskets, vases, top of the line Chinese fine bone china and some hand embroidered silk cushions. I find that these smaller items would make perfect gift ideas.

I hope you'll enjoy their website too.

Place Jean Paul Riopelle: La Joute Fountain

Stage 1: Fountain is engaged.

Stage 2: Outer ring of shooting mist.

Finale: A ring of fire.

Cost: Free of charge
Duration: Approx. 30 minutes
Showtime: Starts on the half hour, every hour, 7-11 p.m.

Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle: La Joute Fountain

Though technically lying outside the limits of the historic district, Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle is just a short walk north of Old Montreal and is well worth the trip. The square is home to a public art work, "La Joute", completed in 1969 by the Québec artist Jean-Paul Riopelle (1923–2002). It is a sculpted fountain, and in the summer, every hour on the hour from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. it comes alive with water jets, mist and flame. For the reveal, please stay tuned...

MMFA Sculpture Garden: Antony Gormley

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts's sculpture garden, which dates back to 2002, has one of the city's largest collection of public art. Over twenty works are highlighted in this outdoor garden, accessible to the public on Du Musée Avenue and Sherbrooke Streets. This piece is titled "Building VI". Every time I pass by, it reminds me of the line "Beam me up, Scotty" from Star Trek!

Artist: Antony Gormley (Born in 1950)
Artwork titled ‘Building VI’ (2003)
Stainless steel blocks
Located outside the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on Avenue du Musee, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Westmount Park: An Olmsted Design

Centrally located, Westmount Park is the most popular park in Westmount. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed Mount-Royal Park and Central Park in New York City. Its idyllic walking paths, shady gazebo, indigenous flowers, towering trees and gently flowing pond make it an ideal place to read, sunbathe and picnic. The park is often used by summer newlyweds as a backdrop for photos.

Bell Rates: Montreal Payphones

Payphones are still commonplace throughout Montreal -- not as common as they once were, but you can still generally find one when you need it.

Rates for local calls made from Bell public payphones:
1946 to 1952 ------> 5¢
1952 to 1974 ------>10¢
1974 to 1981 ------>20¢
1981 to 2007 ------>25¢
2007 to Present --->50¢

A tenfold climb in six decades!

Trending Now in Montreal: Vespa

Lately, I have noticed more and more of these little guys in town. You can easily find parking for them and driving them may be doing less harm to the environment than if you were to drive your primary set of wheels. On closer inspection, I was very surprised that they were designed to reach a maximum of 160 km/h. Are you kidding me? Who in their right mind would try to reach that kind of speed on a Vespa?

Canadian Artist - Joe Fafard's Claudia

Hold the calls. Claudia is on her lunch break!

This serene cow makes her home in the sculpture garden of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on Sherbrooke Street. Her creator is Joe Fafard whose art is heavily influenced by his Saskatchewan surroundings, and includes life-size bronzes of cows, horses and pigs.

Christ Church Cathedral - Montreal

Christ Church Cathedral is an Anglican Gothic Revival cathedral.
Address: 635 Saint Catherine Street West, downtown Montreal.

Originally built in 1859, the Christ Church Cathedral was the first church in Montreal to re-invent itself to fit into its modern day setting. In the 1980s, a huge real estate project was undertaken: an underground parking and a shopping mall that would house two levels of shops underneath the cathedral. In addition to that, a 34 floor skyscraper was to be built just north of the church, as part of the complex. Throughout the duration of the construction, the Cathedral had to be supported on stilts. We, Montrealers used to refer to it as the "Cathedral on stilts". Completed the same year, the Promenade de la Cathedrale was opened to the public... a four-level project that connected the mall under the church to Montreal's "Underground City".

Boutiques: Aldo, Tristan, RW & Co, Urban Planet, Dynamite, FootLocker, Laura, Limite and Linen Chest, Sirens and more...

Atwater Market: Color Therapy

Often referred to as the biggest garden in town, the Atwater Market is a farmer's market located near the Lachine Canal. Come summer, its parking lot is transformed into a gigantic greenhouse. There are over 18 vendors of exotic flowers and plants, and a dozen or so vendors of fresh fruits and vegetables. As you can see, it's a feast for the eyes. With our long and cold winter behind us, Montrealers revel in the much needed splash of glorious colors.

French Fashion: World of Jean Paul Gaultier

To coincide with the much anticipated opening of the "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk" at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, retailers such as The Bay, has joined in the promotion of the event by installing banners all around the store's perimeter to promote one of the fashion designer's fragrances. Holt Renfrew, another department store, sponsored a meet and greet that included an exclusive autograph signing session with Gaulthier! Now, that could have been great fun!

In case you didn't know, Jean Paul Gaulthier is the renown Parisian fashion designer, nicknamed "l'enfant terrible", who designed Madonna's cone shape brassiere top for her "Blond Ambition" tour in 1990. Simply put, Gaulthier is a huge talent and it's an honour to have him here in Montreal.

Btw, the Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier runs from June 17 to Oct. 2, 2011 at the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 1379 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal.

McGill University: Gault Nature Reserve

This is Lac Hertel (Hertel Lake) in the Gault Nature Reserve, situated in Mont St. Hilaire. Most of the mountain is currently the property of McGill University, as the Gault Nature Reserve. The University has opened the western half of the mountain to visitors (at a fee) for hiking and cross-country skiing, named "The Natural Area". And the eastern half, named "The Preservation Area" is not accessible to the general public. Since it is a mere 45 minutes drive from downtown Montreal, the reserve is much appreciated by urbanites and is popular for all sorts of outdoor activities.

Montreal's Japanese Garden

The serene Japanese Garden in Montreal stretches over 2.5 hectares and incorporates the traditional elements of stone, water and plants.  Designed by Ken Nakajima and opened in 1989, it is a typical stroll garden, inviting visitors to embark on a journey of contemplation, past stones set carefully to suggest mountains and valleys; around ponds and along streams that reflect the sky and clouds overhead; over arched or zigzag bridges; and through simple gardens featuring Japanese tree peonies, maples, irises and other plants. (Source)

The Hovey Manor in North Hatley

The main building: ante-bellum architecture.

The spectacular lake view with the perennial garden in bloom.

The comfortable library is furnished with antiques.

The Hovey Manor (Manoir Hovey in French) is a year-round getaway that is only 1-1/2 hour drive from downtown Montreal. Situated in the outskirts of the lakeside town of North Hatley, it is well hidden from the main road. It has a prime lake front location, spectacular gardens, first class service and above all, its renown cuisine is second to none. This is the perfect weekend destination for that special occasion.

McGill University Retirement

It was an evening of fun. I attended a retirement party for a loved one after 39 years of dedicated service at McGill University. The air was electric and spirits were high. All in all, this is one fine group of friends and colleagues saying so long and thank you. Happy trails, my love.

My Fave: The Nagoya Sushi

The Nagoya Sushi is my preferred shop in Westmount for sushi pick up or for a casual supper outdoors in the summer. The staff is courteous and friendly, the food is extremely fresh and everything is made to order. In my humble opinion, there's no other restaurant in town that serves a better Tofu salad than this place ! Hmm, hmm, hmm.

Montreal Moose Sculpture on Sherbrooke Street

Montreal is promoting its museum district with a fun campaign called Project Orign’Art. This is a showcase of colorful two dimensional moose sculptures, placed all along Sherbrooke Street, with quotes from famous artists in French on one side and English on the other. I think this is a great concept: they're eye-catching and cheerful, fun to look at and shows how art can be a part of everyday life.

Les FrancoFolies de Montreal 2011

Les FrancoFolies de Montreal is the biggest music festival in the French speaking world. This mega event is celebrating 23 years and it runs from June 9 to June 18. What's great about this event is that there are many free outdoor concerts and it's a perfect occasion to meet up with friends for a fun time. This past weekend I decided to check out the "Quartier des Spectacles" and snoop around with my camera hoping to get some interesting shots of the preparations involved in setting up an event of this size. As expected, there were workmen busying away and plenty of security personnel everywhere. (Hint: some very expensive sound equipment on site, etc.) I wasn't all that comfortable about hanging around and taking photos but I did manage to snap a few shots.

This is the section that is called: L'Espace Ford: main stage.

Also the L'Espace Ford. Note the stylish overhead spotlights!

This is the section that is called: L'Espace Vert Desjardins.

Also the L'Espace Vert Desjardins: overlooking Complexe Desjardins and the Hyatt Hotel.

I am including a site map of the event, just in case you're coming... Maybe I'll see you there ?