Montreal is as close to Paris as you can get in North America. If you replace the Eiffel Tower with the Olympic Stadium, this is almost true: the French signs and delicious food welcome many visitors with a unique European flair. Even though it’s cold, Montreal is particularly beautiful in the winter. Thin layers of ice turn tree branches into fairy sculptures and the snow serves two purposes: covering up any mud or debris from the messy autumn rain, and making everything quiet and peaceful.
If you have a day to wander the streets in winter, you should definitely take it. Here’s the perfect walking path to take when you do. You might want to start out by paying the $10 for an unlimited day transit pass, so if you get tired of walking, you can hop a quick and easy metro back to your hotel or Airbnb.