J'aime Le Mont-Royal!

For the past two weeks the mountain has been calling my name.  To an outsider, it may seem like just a large hill.  But the natives like to think of it as a mountain. I myself have an infatuation with this slice of nature plopped down in the middle of the city, so I will have to side with the Montrealers on this one.

A quick history lesson: The first European to climb the mountain was Jacques Cartier, who dubbed it Mount Royal, from which the city takes its name.  The surrounding park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the very same landscape architect that designed New York City's Central Park and the fairgrounds for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago (what is now known as Jackson Park).  

Too many stairs to count
on a shortcut up Mont-Royal.

Ever since my first visit to Montreal, I've been dragging Adam up the mountain to explore the surrounding park, trails, and lake.  Each time he would respond with, "Again?!?  We already did that!"  But I always feel compelled to go back and explore more.

So at last, I made a visit to the mountain on a lovely, but overcast day (as you can tell from the pictures).  It's hard to say when exactly the transition from city to nature happens.  The urban background noise begins to fall away and is replaced with a calm of breezy trees and chirping birds.  This natural oasis in the middle of the city is the thing I love most about Montreal.

Chalet du Mont-Royal (above) with
stairs leading down to its front
terrace.  Inside the chalet (center),
paintings hang just below the
ceiling depicting the story of
French exploration in North America.

A view of Montreal and the
St. Lawrence River beyond from
the front terrace of
Chalet du Mont-Royal.

      

On this trip, I took a shortcut from the broad and winding switchbacks, opting for the stairs.  And quickly realized that I could be in much better shape.  I stopped at the Chalet du Mont-Royal to take in the panoramic view of the city on the front terrace.  Then I circled around on a smaller footpath to see the Croix du Mont-Royal, a large cross that is illuminated at night and is visible through out the city.

Water run-offs along
Chemin Olmstead.

A footpath along
Mont-Royal.

Croix du
Mont-Royal.

Three hours wandering around the mountain top, and I can't wait to go back.  If you ever come to visit me in Montreal, be prepared for a hike up the mountain. :)