August 26-27, 2015 - Montreal CA

When doing the loop, you cannot see everything in one year, or even in three like we are trying to do. If we were to take the boat to Montreal and Quebec City, it would be about a 900 mile trip and at least a month of time. When our friends Gene and Linda Auville planned to visit, we all agreed on a little driving vacation to these two cities and the 1000 Islands area. We'll cover each of these areas with separate posts.

Gene and Linda - ready to go!

Montreal: Churches are Big in Montreal, and everywhere! They are old and beautiful - especially the inside. Two were visible from our hotel room - the first was St. George Anglican Church, seems like  the token non-Catholic church that we saw in Canada. Smaller than most, but very ornate woodwork.

St. Georges'

Peaceful interior.

Just opposite St. Georges' is The "Basilique-Cathedrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde et Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur". Yes, it is both a cathedral and a basilica and the "Mary Queen of the world" part was added years after it was first built as St. James the Greater. Construction took from 1870 until 1894. It is a scaled-down version of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Mary Queen of the World

The Baldacchino over the alter is not actually at a angle; tired camera operator!

The Dome!

It is a big place!

Limited view of the front of the church with statues of the saints that local parishes are named for.

This is the "Saint-Joseph's Oratory", a place of healing and described on the bus tour as being similar to "Lordes-the Village of St. Bernadette" in France - a pilgrimage/healing place. There are 99 steps up to the Oratory, so we decided to skip the visit.

Saint-Joseph's Oratory

Last, and certainly not least, is the "Cathedral of Notre-Dame". The main church is absolutely gorgeous, and then you experience a more modern and totally different chapel behind the main alter and you get totally blown away!

A simple exterior.

The main alter.

The organ and choir loft.

The pulpit for preaching/giving the sermon.

The Chapel! The artwork depicts man's progression thru the Arches of growth to heaven.

Secondary alter in the chapel.

 Old-town Montreal surrounds the Cathedral and has many buildings originally built in the 118th and 19th centuries. It feels a lot like Europe, or so we are told; we found it fairly quiet and peaceful with many art galleries, restaurants, quaint shops and flowers. It is the old financial district.

Judie took a picture a of a beautiful autumn scene and captured the building across the street in the reflection off the window. We love it!

Judie and Gerry after a long day touring!

Vive la France!

We visited "Underground Montreal". It is a collection of shopping areas in the lower level of buildings all connected by tunnels so as to appear seamless. It provides great access to many buildings in bad weather and has subway stops along the way. One new 5 story shopping mall/building ties it all together.

And finally, the Olympic Stadium from the 1976 games. We drove by this on our way out of town and it looks like new and there were many events and activities taking place.