By Gabriella Luciano
Montreal has so much to offer: a taste of Europe and so multicultural. During the Montreal Jazz Festival, you can experience first rate entertainment and a lot of it is free. There are free outdoor concerts on many different stages. You can sit down in the Festival restaurants and dine on wine and cheese while listening to great jazz. For a good choice of Montreal hotels with discount prices, visit Montreal hotels for more information.
In Montréal, shopping is a sport.
It’s also home to some of the most creative and innovative designers in Canada. Montréalers pride themselves on their impeccable taste and this city has nurtured a thriving fashion industry. There are several ‘main drags’ for shopping.
International brand name stores are found along Ste. Catherine Street, one of the main business arteries. All the major shopping centres such as Complex Les Ailes, the Eaton Centre, Complexe Desjardins, Les Galleries University, Cours Mont Royal, Place Montreal Trust and Place Ville Marie are just steps away.
If you’re looking for something more edgy head over to Boulevard St. Laurent, also known as the Main.
Italian Rags (Prêt-à-porter)
6786 Blvd. Saint-Laurent
Tel.: 514-273-6321
U&I (one of Montreal’s premier fashion destinations)
3650 Saint-Laurent
Tel.: 514 844 8788
Rue Saint-Denis is the city’s trendsetter. Take a walk between Mont-Royal Avenue and Sherbrooke Street and you’ll be visiting the epicenter of Canadian trendy and hip fashion with many boutiques offering the latest from top Québec designers. You’ll also find unique décor and wares for the home, exclusive cosmetics and perfumes, unique jewelry, books and music. This is also where all the charming cafes and restaurants with sidewalk terraces are found. This is the place to be when the weather is warm and sunny.
Here are a few of my selections for women’s fashions along Rue Saint-Denis:
Miss Swiss (Prêt-à-porter)
4271 St-Denis
Tel.: 281-8461
Muse (Prêt-à-porter)
4467 St-Denis
Tel.: 848-9493
Boutique Melow (Mélissa Bolduc, Montreal designer)
3889 St-Denis
Tel.: 514-807-0935
You’ll find funky and fabulous second hand stores all along Avenue du Mont Royal.
Platô (carries diesel/Canada goose/Guido and Mary brands, etc.)
1031 av. du Mont Royal
Tel.: 514-527-1444
Industrie (brand name sportswear and street wear for a young and fashion-conscious crowd)
1024 av. du Mont-Royal Est
Tel.: 514 522-3870
In Vieux-Montréal, you’ll be able to buy the latest wares. For instance, Roland Dubuc Joaillier designs beautiful miniature sculptures made entirely from a single sheet of metal.
163 Saint-Paul Street West
Tel.: 514 844-1221
Summer Boutiques in Montreal
The containers lining the King-Edward Pier turn into 15 boutiques from May to September, featuring all kinds of products and accessories.
King-Edward Pier Quays of the Old Port of Montréal, Montréal, Québec
Tel.: 514 496-7678
