Today I learned more about Montréal’s history at two very different museums, had delicious sandwiches, took the metro for the first time and saw more street art.
On my walk to the Pointe á Callière museum I saw several sculptures, and stopped for coffee at the Crew Collective and Cafe, a coffee shop and co-working space that is in what used to be the Royal Bank of Canada building. The space has soaring, ornate ceilings and gorgeous, intricate chandeliers, it is just stunning. It seems to be a very active coworking space as well, in the half an hour I was there drinking my coffee, several individuals and groups checked in to use the various meeting rooms and other work spaces.
Pointe á Callière is a museum of archaeology and history, situated over the foundations of the Royal Insurance Building. Through interesting and informative exhibits as well as a fantastic multimedia show, I learned about the history of Montréal going back over 4,000 years.
There was also a small, but very well done exhibit on ancient Egypt and an area highlighting favorite past exhibits. I watched a video of Michèle Lalonde performing her poem, Speak White, at a poetry event in 1970. It is an extremely powerful poem, and even though it is mainly in French, the feelings of the words come through loud and clear. Google Speak White poem and you’ll find the video on YouTube.
After that, I had a 45 minute walk to the next museum I was checking out, the Maison Saint-Gabriel. On my way I picked up a delicious Brie, apple and cranberry sandwich on a baguette from a bakery in the neighborhood, as well as a pastry I had not tried before called a Jésuite. It was flaky like a croissant and filled with frangipane cream and powdered sugar on top. Apparently it’s named after the triangular hat that Jesuit priests wear.
At the Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum I went on a guided tour to learn about the history of the settlers of New France in the mid 17th century and the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal, founded by Marguerite Bourgeoys. It was not an easy life back then and part of the sisters job was to give a safe place for young women to live and learn homemaking skills in order for them to find a husband and start families in New France.
It was a warm afternoon by the time I was done with my museum trips, so instead of walking the hour or so, it would take to get back to my Airbnb. I decided to check out the metro. It was easy to navigate and very clean, very similar to BART, and luckily it was air-conditioned. I stopped to get a smoothie at a café that also had a boxing ring in it, interesting!
I treated myself to dinner out tonight since it was so warm. I went to a vegetarian restaurant in my neighborhood, and sat outside in the beautiful backyard full of art, twinkly lights, and a Koi pond. My second delicious sandwich of the day was pear, raclette and grilled onions on thick wheat bread. Yummy! The restaurant was near by Mont Royale, so I was able to see the cross lit up.
