In the centre of Montréal, you’ll find the borough known as Ville-Marie. This borough includes many highly sought-after residential areas: downtown, Old Montréal, the Old Port, Centre-Sud, Île Sainte-Hélène, and Île Notre-Dame. With such a range of neighbourhoods, you’ll also find a variety of homes, from modern lofts to duplexes, triplexes, and condos. Being at the heart of the city will put you within reach of everything that makes Montréal such a vibrant metropolis.

Places to Shop

Cahier d’Exercices

Montréalers are known for their personal style. One of the top designer goods shops for women is Cahier d’Exercices. The boutique, which you’ll find in Old Montréal, carries a carefully curated selection with labels such as Céline, Comme Des Garçons, and Stella McCartney.

MENS

Stylish gents, on the other hand, head to MENS. This boutique on Boulevard De Maisonneuve Ouest stocks upscale casual clothing and accessories from designers like Moncler, Stone Island, and Y-3.

Atwater Market

At Atwater Market, you can shop for fresh seafood, produce, meats, and cheeses for a gourmet meal to whip up at home.

Places to Eat

Of course, there are plenty of fine dining options in Ville-Marie, for when you’re not in the mood to cook.

Europea

Gourmands in Montréal will want to make at least one trip to Europea. In an eclectic, upscale space, chef Jérome Ferrer creates inventive French cuisine that will delight your eyes and your palate, which you’ll speak of for years to come.

Garde Manger

Over in Old Montréal, you’ll find Garde Manger. Celebrity chef Chuck Hughes serves up dishes such as perfectly cooked duck confit and his Iron Chef–winning lobster poutine. The ambiance of this cozy space will make you want to linger over your dessert.

Things to Do

Outdoor Activities

Intersecting Ville-Marie is Montréal’s most famous park. Mount Royal, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, presents many activities: skating, running, hiking, or just relaxing on a nice day in the gardens of Saint Joseph’s Oratory. In the Old Port, you can bike alongside the water.

Bota Bota

Or if rest and relaxation is needed, book a spa treatment at Bota Bota, a spa located on a barge in Old Montréal. Leave plenty of time to enjoy the water circuit and chaise longues.

Montréal Museum of Fine Arts

Founded in 1860, Montréal Museum of Fine Arts is the largest Montréal museum and one of the most well-known in the country. It features over 41,000 national and international artworks in four pavilions, including a concert hall.

Schools in the Area

The Sacred Heart School of Montréal

The core of the city, Ville-Marie boasts a number of well-respected schools within its boundaries. The Sacred Heart School of Montréal is an English all-girls private school founded in 1861. It prides itself on fostering faith, a respect for higher learning, and a sense of social justice, all within a community environment.

Inter-Dec College

For post-secondary education (besides, of course, McGill University and Concordia University, which both have campuses downtown), Inter-Dec College offers programs which include digital arts, beauty, and interior design. Students receive the education required to succeed in these competitive fields in a facility equipped with up-to-date technology and knowledgeable professors with strong expertise.

Ready to start looking for a home in Ville-Marie? Get in touch with a qualified REALTOR® today.

Photos: Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Cahier d’Exercices, MENS, Marché Atwater, Europea, Garde Manger, meunierd/Shutterstock, Sid Lee, Gary Stevens, AV Dezign, Sacred Heart School of Montréal