Mont Royal is where Montréal locals go for fresh air, lovely walks, cross-country skiing in the winter and picnics in the summer. This is the best place in the city to enjoy the outdoors, play sports or to simply daydream. From downtown, take any random street leading uphill. They will all eventually lead to the 233-metre-high summit with great views of the city.
Inaugurated in 1876, the park was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, famous for his design of Central Park in New York. In 1860, most of the mountain had been clear-cut by loggers, much to the dismay of the population. When the area was designated a city park, Montréal gained a real gem and to this day the park is a very popular destination.
“The residents of Montréal are proud of their ‘mountain’ and affectionately call it 'La Montagne'.”