RADAR
10 Things to do in Montréal
Visit a thriving, harmonious city committed to sustainable tourism practices.
By Lesa Hannah
Bota Bota is a floating spa moored at the Old Port of Montréal on the St. Lawrence River. In the distance is the iconic housing complex, Habitat 67. | PHOTO: PIERRE JERRY/UNSPLASH
THE ISLAND CITY of Montréal is one of the most sustainable destinations in North America. Here are 10 ways to make the most of it.
VISIT: What was once a quarry and landfill is now Parc Frédéric-Back, a 54-hectare green space that’s accessible year-round for biking, running or snowshoeing along its paths. EAT: At Café des Habitudes, owner Joanna Nisenbaum makes great coffee with as little waste as possible. There are no disposable cups, stir sticks or spoons, and takeout food comes in a reusable cloth bag! VISIT: Check out a show or exhibit at TOHU, a circular performing arts theatre that was made, in part, with recycled elements, and powered by methane gas from the landfill (see Parc Frédéric-Back) it is built on. STAY: Ruby Foo Hotel recently renovated their 22 rooms with cork floors. They use energy-efficient lighting and their rooftop garden grows vegetables and herbs shared with local food banks. VISIT: Situated on an old ferry boat, Bota Bota is a four-level spa that is powered by the St. Lawrence River, on which it sits, for four to six months of the year.
Parc Frédéric-Back, one of Montréal’s biggest parks, has biogas-capturing wells that manage emissions emanating from the landfill beneath. | PHOTO: DANIEL GAUTHIER/DREAMSTIME.COM
An overhead view of some of the provincially sourced fare at La Cale, a zero-waste pub in Montréal. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF LA CALE
SHOP: Shopping for sustainable clothing? Designer Eliza Faulkner has been cutting down on carbon emissions by keeping her supply chain short. Her designs are whimsical and feminine, featuring puffed sleeves, bows and ruffles.
EAT: La Cale is the city’s first zero-waste pub, offering classic fare like poutine as well as vegetarian and vegan options. Juices and sodas are made in-house and there are no straws or paper napkins available. SHOP: Royalmount is Canada’s first globally certified sustainable shopping centre. Located in the tony Town of Mount Royal (TMR) neighbourhood, it features the highest number of luxury flagship stores in Montréal and an extensive public art pathway. STAY: About a 30-minute walk from picturesque Parc du Mont-Royal is Hotel ITHQ, which is essentially a four-star teaching hotel. Most of the menu is provincially sourced and all food waste is composted.
CYCLE: Do all of the above (and more) on two wheels. Montréal is one of the most cycling-friendly cities in North America, largely due to the Express Bike Network (EBN) and wide accessibility to BIXI Montréal, the city’s bike-share system.
(Left to right) Garments hang at Eliza Faulkner’s namesake store; the intimate patio at Café des Habitudes; BIXI Montréal’s bike-sharing network has more than 11,000 bikes (including 2,600 electric BIXIs) and more than 900 stations. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ELIZA FAULKNER; CAFÉ DES HABITUDES; BIXI BIKE
dolore esse
Est adipisicing labore. Cillum incididunt cupidatat.
dolore esse
Est adipisicing labore. Cillum incididunt cupidatat.
dolore esse
Est adipisicing labore. Cillum incididunt cupidatat.
(Left to right) Garments hang at Eliza Faulkner’s namesake store; the intimate patio at Café des Habitudes; BIXI Montréal’s bike-sharing network has more than 11,000 bikes (including 2,600 electric BIXIs) and more than 900 stations. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ELIZA FAULKNER; CAFÉ DES HABITUDES; BIXI BIKE