Visiting Mississauga Places

Friday’s chaos was just haunting us! The first day in Canada was a different day after exploring Historic Buildings in Mississauga ON for all three of us, but I can say that this day was again a complete success despite its ups and downs. What would a day be without the hustle and bustle? – Exactly, a dead boring day.

But from the beginning:

On the “Chemin du Roy” (Royal Road) we went via Trois-Rivières, Canada’s oldest industrial city, to Montreal.

In Trois-Rivières we visited the “Basilica Notre-Dame du Cap”.

Due to an inaccurate description and rush hour we arrived later than expected at our next destination – an apartment on a headland in Lachine, one of the 19 districts of Montréal. The situation was rather suboptimal and not according to our imagination why we were very surprised at the first moment how far away we were from the city centre and the old harbour.

We were very satisfied with the flat at the edge of the Lachine Canal. Spacious, clean and with a terrace.

Although we were all quite ko from the long car journey and wanted to take a cold shower because of the 32 degrees much rather, a comfortable arrival did not come into the bag.

I only had a few more hours to explore Montréal before getting on the plane and off to Washington.

My legs were unfortunately still a restriction that day and I hobbled through the city as if I were recovering from two broken legs and taking my first steps after handing over my crutches. That was the reason why in the remaining hours I couldn’t see everything I had marked in the travel guide. So we took it a little slower and tried to take a strategically smart route and visit some interesting places in the city.

Because my parents initially doubted our decision to walk through the city at all and we really didn’t move fast, we still visited a lot of great things in Montreal on this short afternoon.

With the car we drove as well as we could into the city centre and found a parking garage.

On the road map the way between the parking garage and the pedestrian passage looked shorter than it was afterwards. By a short inquiry in the travel agency on the other side of the street we were told that we would have a 40 minute walk to the Vieux-Montréal in front of us. Minimum.

Compared to Québec and Ottawa, Montréal was at first sight a lot more confusing and chaotic.

Therefore, we preferred the subway with which one could reach the “Centre-Ville” in 5 minutes and after two stops. The old town and the old harbour of Montréal are considered to be the historical city district.

At that time Montréal was the economic centre of the country, which is why many factories, solid, mills and refineries are considered to be an architectural heritage. The city has 49 historic sites, more than any other city in Canada.

In general, the cityscape is characterised by a historical and modern architectural style, with French, British and American architectural traditions coming together. Two or three-storey terraced houses, whose staircases were attached to the front facade, were conspicuous.

We reached the popular “Basilique Notre-Dame” via one of the main streets of the old town, the so-called “Rue Notre-Dame”. With its two 69m high towers, the magnificent altar and the weightless, star-studded sky, it is considered one of the most beautiful churches in North America.

I can confirm that in any case! The architecture and the magnificent woodcarvings knocked me down. And I really am not the typical church fan and visitor. If you understand what I mean 😉

The square in front of the church was lively and partly reminded me of Québec City. A very touristic and lively atmosphere: street artists entertain families and attract curious glances, beautifully decorated horse-drawn carriages bring families and couples from A to B, holiday camps and school groups from all over the world sit at the fountain or follow the words of a city guide.

In the queue in front of the church we even met Germans.

We continued our stroll – or limped – to the tourist centre of the old town, the “Place Jacques-Cartier”.

Speaking of which, if you ask 5 locals about the center of the city, you will get 5 different answers. D The city is only so characterized by contrasts and mixtures. Also a “Bienvenue. Hi” is not uncommon.

According to the travel guide and also in my opinion, the Place Jacques-Cartier comes very close to the tourist centre. Here tourists and locals meet. Around young jugglers, jugglers and solo entertainers crowds of people form again. In the middle of the place there are small stalls that sell delicacies of Montréal.

And what do you think we did there? – Right, of course we drank a café au lait in a café at the edge of the square.

Just like a Frenchman would. 🙂

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