Montreal

In 1642 French missionaries established the Ville Marie mission in the Montreal area. Ville Marie became an important trading post for the fur trade. The town was controlled by the French, until the end of the Seven Years War in 1763, when the French Canadian provinces were ceded to Great Britain. Ville Marie's name changed to Montreal (after Mont Royal, a hill in the centre of the city).

Your trip to Montreal should start with a visit to the narrow cobblestone streets of Montreal's famous old town, which feels uncannily like Paris. A checklist of sites includes the Place Jacques-Cartier, Notre Dame, the Basilica, the Old Port, Bonsecours Market and Bourgeoys Museum.

Also recommended is the Montreal Biodome. The dome is separated into four different ecosystems:Tropical Forest, temperate Laurentian Forest, St Lawrence Marine, and Polar World.