10 THINGS TO DO IN...
10 Things to Do in Montréal
Canada’s charming “slice of Europe” is committed to sustainable tourism practices.
By Lesa Hannah
Bota Bota is a floating spa moored at the Old Port of Montréal on the St. Lawrence River. In the distance is the iconic housing complex, Habitat 67. | PHOTO: PIERRE JERRY/UNSPLASH
MONTRÉAL HAS PLENTY TO BOAST ABOUT — spectacular architecture, fashion boutiques, lively dining scene and festivals galore. But there’s more to this walkable island city, sometimes dubbed “the Paris of North America.” It is also among the continent’s most sustainable tourist destinations, according to the Barcelona-based Global Destination Sustainability Index.
Here are 10 ways for eco-savvy travellers to explore this vibrant French-Canadian city.
EXPLORE MONTRÉAL’S SUSTAINABLE PARK
What was once a quarry and landfill is now the 54-hectare Parc Frédéric-Back. It’s one of the biggest parks in the city and is accessible year-round for biking, running and snowshoeing along its paths. Oh, and those sci-fi-vibe white spheres that glow at night and look like extraterrestrials’ homes dotting the landscape? They’re actually wells that capture biogas (a renewable energy source produced by the fermentation of organic materials) still emanating from the now-grass-covered landfill site underground.
ZERO-WASTE VEGAN DINING
At Café des Habitudes, a vegan resto in the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie neighbourhood, owner Joanna Nisenbaum walks the talk, producing as little waste as possible. No disposable cups to be found here, nor stir sticks and plastic spoons. Stay a while, enjoy your meal on dishware while staying cozy in the living room–esque dining room, with its vintage furniture and welcoming ambience. Ordering to go? Expect your takeout in a reusable cloth bag.
ECO-FRIENDLY CULTURE AT TOHU
Check out a show or exhibit at TOHU, a circular performing arts theatre that has been garnering kudos for its green architecture since it opened in 2004. TOHU — which is also Cirque du Soleil’s HQ and home of the National Circus School — is powered by methane gas from the landfill it was built on, in Parc Fréderic-Back. It utilizes passive geothermal energy to regulate indoor temperature, and some of the building’s architectural elements are made from recycled parts, such as handrails from old bumper cars and beams reclaimed from a former railcar-manufacturing facility.
Parc Frédéric-Back, one of Montréal’s biggest parks, has biogas-capturing wells that manage emissions emanating from the landfill beneath. | PHOTO: DANIEL GAUTHIER/DREAMSTIME.COM
RUBY FOO'S GREEN HOTEL STAY
Ruby Foo Hotel recently renovated its 22 guest rooms, switching to cork floors, energy-efficient lighting and furnishings crafted from local cherry wood. There are water fountains on every floor, and in the pesticide-free rooftop garden, vegetables and herbs are grown — and shared with local food banks.
SUSTAINABLE SPA RELAXATION
Situated on an old ferry boat is Bota Bota, a four-level spa centred on the Nordic tradition of sitting in a hot sauna and then plunging in a cold bath, followed by a rest period. Post-thermotherapy, there’s plenty of space to zone out and gaze at the St. Lawrence River, which, incidentally, provides energy to heat and cool Bota Bota four to six months of the year. Note: plastic water bottles are not permitted here and all the lights are LED.
An overhead view of some of the provincially sourced fare at La Cale, a zero-waste pub in Montréal. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF LA CALE
ECO-FRIENDLY MONTRÉAL FASHION
Since 2012, Eliza Faulkner — twice nominated by the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) for Womenswear Designer of the Year — has cut down on carbon emissions by keeping her supply chain short. Known for her whimsical, feminine creations featuring puffed sleeves, bows and ruffles, Faulkner obtains fabrics that are either woven in Montréal or produced by mills she trusts. As well, she utilizes deadstock (leftover fabrics from fashion houses, textile mills or garment manufacturers) whenever feasible.
ZERO-WASTE PUB EATS
La Cale is the city’s first zero-waste pub — it opened in 2019. It offers classic fare like burgers and poutines, alongside vegetarian and vegan options, plus juices and sodas made in-house. Don’t go looking for straws and paper napkins, but do anticipate local beers from Saint-Ambroise and Cheval Blanc, as well as smaller niche breweries on tap.
GREEN LUXURY SHOPPING
Royalmount is Canada’s first LEED Gold–certified shopping centre. A 15-minute drive or an hour’s bike ride from downtown, in the stylish neighbourhood of Town of Mount Royal (TMR), this new mall houses a dizzying range of gourmet dining choices, an impressive public arts pathway and the highest number of luxury flagship stores in the city. Joining high-end retailers Louis Vuitton and Gucci is newcomer beauty and wellness boutique Rennaï, which brought the Victoria Beckham Beauty brand to Canada. Royalmount uses a geothermal ground loop to heat and cool the building and is linked to Montreal’s bike network.
ECO-CONSCIOUS HOTEL ITHQ
About a 30-minute walk from picturesque Parc du Mont-Royal is Hotel ITHQ, which is, in essence, a four-star teaching hotel (which is operated for practical hospitality education). It stocks guest rooms with water carafes instead of plastic bottles, recycles used bath-amenities bottles and soap bars, features water-saving devices on toilets and taps, and encourages bedding changes every two days. Eco-conscious gastronomy is also high-priority — ingredients in most menu items are locally sourced and all food waste is composted.
BIKE-FRIENDLY MONTRÉAL
Do all of the above and explore the rest of the city on two wheels. Bike culture is big in Montréal for good reason. It’s one of the most cycling-friendly urban centres in North America, largely due to the Express Bike Network (EBN), a vast grid of protected bike lanes (more are currently being built), and wide accessibility to BIXI Montréal, the city’s bike-share system.
(Left to right) Garments hang at Eliza Faulkner’s namesake store; the intimate patio at Café des Habitudes; BIXI Montréal’s bike-sharing network has more than 11,000 bikes (including 2,600 electric BIXIs) and more than 900 stations. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ELIZA FAULKNER; CAFÉ DES HABITUDES; BIXI BIKE
An overhead view of some of the provincially sourced fare at La Cale, a zero-waste pub in Montréal. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF LA CALE
ECO-FRIENDLY MONTRÉAL FASHION
Since 2012, Eliza Faulkner — twice nominated by the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) for Womenswear Designer of the Year — has cut down on carbon emissions by keeping her supply chain short. Known for her whimsical, feminine creations featuring puffed sleeves, bows and ruffles, Faulkner obtains fabrics that are either woven in Montréal or produced by mills she trusts. As well, she utilizes deadstock (leftover fabrics from fashion houses, textile mills or garment manufacturers) whenever feasible.
ZERO-WASTE PUB EATS
La Cale is the city’s first zero-waste pub — it opened in 2019. It offers classic fare like burgers and poutines, alongside vegetarian and vegan options, plus juices and sodas made in-house. Don’t go looking for straws and paper napkins, but do anticipate local beers from Saint-Ambroise and Cheval Blanc, as well as smaller niche breweries on tap.
GREEN LUXURY SHOPPING
Royalmount is Canada’s first LEED Gold–certified shopping centre. A 15-minute drive or an hour’s bike ride from downtown, in the stylish neighbourhood of Town of Mount Royal (TMR), this new mall houses a dizzying range of gourmet dining choices, an impressive public arts pathway and the highest number of luxury flagship stores in the city. Joining high-end retailers Louis Vuitton and Gucci is newcomer beauty and wellness boutique Rennaï, which brought the Victoria Beckham Beauty brand to Canada. Royalmount uses a geothermal ground loop to heat and cool the building and is linked to Montreal’s bike network.
ECO-CONSCIOUS HOTEL ITHQ
About a 30-minute walk from picturesque Parc du Mont-Royal is Hotel ITHQ, which is, in essence, a four-star teaching hotel (which is operated for practical hospitality education). It stocks guest rooms with water carafes instead of plastic bottles, recycles used bath-amenities bottles and soap bars, features water-saving devices on toilets and taps, and encourages bedding changes every two days. Eco-conscious gastronomy is also high-priority — ingredients in most menu items are locally sourced and all food waste is composted.
BIKE-FRIENDLY MONTRÉAL
Do all of the above and explore the rest of the city on two wheels. Bike culture is big in Montréal for good reason. It’s one of the most cycling-friendly urban centres in North America, largely due to the Express Bike Network (EBN), a vast grid of protected bike lanes (more are currently being built), and wide accessibility to BIXI Montréal, the city’s bike-share system.
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(Left to right) Garments hang at Eliza Faulkner’s namesake store; the intimate patio at Café des Habitudes; BIXI Montréal’s bike-sharing network has more than 11,000 bikes (including 2,600 electric BIXIs) and more than 900 stations. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ELIZA FAULKNER; CAFÉ DES HABITUDES; BIXI BIKE