Using a Hire Car in Montreal – where to go

Montreal is the capital city of Quebec, Canada. A fun place to visit, offering a cultural combination of both French and British colonization accompanied with modern Canadian influence, the city is not short on attractions. The easiest way to make the most of your time and experiences there would be to hire a car in Montreal.

The second-largest city in Canada, Montreal boasts a long history, with a population dating back 4,000 years ago. The city gets its name from Mount Royal, a triple-peaked hill in the heart of the city. While the name originally came from the French “le mont Royal,” it was an Italian spelling that became adopted.

The city is the most bilingual major city in Canada, with a reported 56% of the population speaking both English and French and it is the second-largest French-speaking majority after Paris, France. Having both French and British influences as well as being situated on a land with a long native history, Montreal provides a unique cultural experience not found anywhere else in the world.

When you hire a car to take you around Montreal, you will be able to take in the best sites of the city. You will be able to stop by the hill the city is named for, Mont Royal. Walking up the 200 steps to the top, you will be able to get a view of the city, like nowhere else! Enjoyable in every season, Mont Royal is a breathtaking escape within the city itself.
After you have gotten your exercise from climbing the city’s famous hill, you should have your car take you to the historic Old Montreal district of the city. There, you will be able to visit the beautiful Notre Dame Basilica. A cathedral was originally built on the site back in 1672, but as the Catholic population increased, the cathedral needed to be rebuilt to accommodate the size of the congregation. The primary construction of the newer cathedral took place from 1824 to 1829. It was previously known as the Notre-Dame Church, but following a visit from Pope John Paul II, the status was upgraded to basilica. As you walk through the cathedral, take in the amazing Casavant Frères pipe organ, which dates back to 1891.

After your visit to the basilica, you can meander the streets of Old Montreal, enjoy the shops, the old port, and immerse yourself in the history of the city. There are many picturesque restaurants throughout the area, and the driver of your car for hire should be able to help you to the best eats. Also, if you indulge in the wine, having a rental car will ensure your safety back to your hotel without restricting any fun to be had.

You can also have your car for hire guide you to the many museums and attractions throughout the city. There are over 38 museums through the city, which would be more accessible by car than using the city’s public transportation. One museum that is a must-see is the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The museum contains classic and famous artists such as Monet and Picasso, to more modern artists. Additionally, the museum features artifacts found of the Inuit tribes, native toe the area. You would also be able to take in more museums as you will not have to wait on transport to get you across the city.

If you are more interested in a natural science museum, have your rent-a-car take you to the newly repurposed Olympic Velodrome, now converted to the city’s Biodome. Here you will be able to walk through many ecosystem recreations while viewing the animals in their habitats. Nearby the wildlife park are the city’s Botanical Gardens. A beautiful addition to a remarkable city, the Montreal Botanical Gardens host over 22,000 species in 30 outdoor gardens. The gardens also include an insectarium, where you can see a huge variety of bugs of all sizes.

Montreal also has an underground city, an 18.5 mile maze of subterranean passages, which your car for hire will be able to direct you to and pick you up from. The underground is full of shops, restaurants and is fairly easy to get lost in. The underground was started after the development of the metro rails throughout the city, but has grown since into a mall-like complex.
At the end of a long day, your driver should direct you to Rue St. Denis, a strip known for its bustling restaurants and bars. There, you can stroll down the cobblestones and enjoy a drink at the various watering holes. Once you are satisfied from your delicious Montreal meal, you can go back to your hotel for a fitful sleep before you go touring again the next day. A perfect end to a perfect day.

Read what to visit in our Around the World section!