MONTREAL

Canada's French-speaking second city mixes the best of North America with the best of Europe, from hybrid culture and superb shopping to some of the world's best bagels

- ALICIA MILLER

Montreal is the city equivalent of your cool transatlantic friend. It has the high culture, style and gourmet food of the most elegant corners of France, and the informality, innovation and gregarious warmth of North America. The capital of the French-speaking province of Quebec, and one-time French colony, it is both art galleries and nightclubs, couture and jeans, fine wines and cheesesmothered chips (specifically, the city’s signature poutine, dripping in gravy). Montreal straddles the old and new worlds with an effortless je ne sais quoi rarely seen in big cities, and for that reason, Canadians and international visitors alike find it irresistible.

Unlike Toronto, which has classic tick-box sights, or Vancouver, where life revolves around nature, the joy of a Montreal break lies in its unabashed hedonism — shopping, strolling, bar-hopping and dining. It’s best to come without a specific agenda, so you can let yourself be led by the rhythm of the city and its diverse neighbourhoods. You could soak up the seamless blend of French and North American culture that wafts down the stately Golden Mile; enjoy the buzzy nightlife strip of St Laurent Boulevard; stroll past the colourful historic houses of the Plateau area; and discover rejuvenated industrial Griffintown. There’ll probably be an intriguing boutique, cafe or small gallery to pop into on the way, and if you run thin on ideas, bilingual locals will happily point you somewhere to explore next.