The old world charm of Montreal

While on a recent visit to Montreal, I stumbled upon a gorgeous neighbourhood.  It was full of these grand houses full of characer and charm. They were very large houses, on smaller lots, in a community also home to a private school, a close by hospital, a world war monument, a outdoor lawn-bowling facility, and a castle-like building most likely used for tours as part of the war monument.  I instantly fell in love with the grandeur of this neighbourhood, and even the surrounding apartment buildings.

Below: I believe I found the place where the 'Real Housewives' of Montreal live... take a look.

A house on a street equivalent to 'Wisteria Lane'

A gorgeous house placed right on the street corner  makes pedestrians stop and stare

Tudor Style house with stairs from the sidewalk to the front door

Now THAT is a 'Front Door'!!

 


The detail in the architecture on the older buildings was breath-taking.

Clock tower on the St. Lawrence

Cobble stone street in Old Montreal

Stone columns were a common architectural feature

The detailing of the greek ionic columns on a government building

Who wouldn't want to live on a street like this?!

Notre Dame; absolutely breath-taking.

The inside of Notre Dame was done with emaculate detail

The lamp posts outside of the Notre Dame created nice glow outside of such a holy sanctuary

Another govenment building overlooking the St. Lawrence

The more modern Convention Centre was placed amongst old buildings which created contrast and interest

Statues were all over the city. Queen Victoria was the centerpiece of Victoria Square.

Another statue atop of a church. When cropped and edited, statues make great black and white prints framed and hung.

Montreal is a one of a kind city. So much to do and so much to see.  My favourite thing by far was to see how the buildings were built in the past and how they are still just as sturdy and just as beautiful today. These builders took so much pride in what they did and the type of skill it took for architects to see the idea of a masterpiece and then to make something larger than life is the true miracle. These blueprints were all done on paper, without the help of autocad and other computer software. It is interesting to see how far we have come today in technology and advancements in architecture and then to compare the workmanship today to great buildings of the past like Notre Dame, it makes you wonder who is more architecturally advanced; people of the 1800's or people of the 2000's?  

Food for thought.