A buzzing and energetic neighbourhood of Quebec, Canada, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is a central borough in the city of Montreal, which encompasses the colour, creativity and excitement of this unique urban centre. Due to its close proximity to the centre, it is an area favoured by those who live there, including artists, academic and performers, other Montreal residents and tourists exploring the city. Home to 101,000 people within an area of 8.1 kilometres squared, the borough Is the most densely populated in all of Canada, creating an unforgettable sense of constant activity, saturated in culture, creativity and beauty.
A defining feature of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is the architecture of the area, defined by its colourful houses, twisted staircases and unique iron balconies, which are often full of local people enjoying views of the neighbourhood or partying on summer days. Some local buildings are used as creative workspaces for neighbourhood artists, or concert halls and performance centres and visitors can discover many local galleries and cultural centres hidden within the streets. There are also numerous stylish cafes, secondhand bookstores and independent shops, also providing a multicultural element to the neighbourhood, and contains some of the city’s most celebrated boutiques and delis. Saint Laurent Boulevard is a beautiful local attraction along with Saint Louis Square, which is home to a museum, and the area contains an abundance of natural beauty in its many green spaces, including La Fontaine Park, Jeanne-Mance Park and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park.
The borough of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is served by the Mont-Royal station, part of the Montreal Metro system, which connects to other areas throughout the city and the city centre on the Orange Line. There are also various bus routes that navigate the neighbourhood. Visitors can easily enjoy the streets by bike, as the city contains more than 660 kilometres of cycle paths and Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is a wonderful area to walk around.
The origins of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal dates back to the expansion of Montreal’s fortifications in 1745 to include the area as a wealthy residential district. During the 20th Century, the neighbourhood was used to house working class citizens and grew as a multicultural area, especially welcoming Portuguese people, becoming known as “Little Portugal.” In more recent history, the neighbourhood has developed its bohemian culture through gentrification and its proximity to McGill University, drawing various young people and artistic communities.