Montreal Travel Forum

Heading to Montreal and have some questions

1. Do most people speak English? Is it similar to Paris, where most people know english, but do not want to speak with you unless you speak french?

2. How should i dress in the summertime? Is it formal like Paris or can i wear shorts/t-shirt and not stick out like a sore thumb.

3. Are there any areas in Montreal that should be avoided for safety reasons? ie. red-light district?

4. need recommendations for a hotel. Looking for 3stars, with internet access inside the room in downtown Montreal for $100 USD or less. Is this possible?

Montreal is mostly english speaking and you shouldn't have a problem with the locals speaking english to you. During the day it can get quite hot so shorts and a t-shirt are fine. If you are going to go to clubs or bars at night then I suggest dressing up in more formal clothes because alot of places won't let you in with jeans or shorts. Montreal is relatively safe.

I don't speak French but had no problems when I went to Montreal. I spoke in English and everyone spoke in English back to me.

You can dress casual. Jeans, shorts, t-shirt. Nothing too revealing.

Not sure about accomodations with internet access for $100 or less. The last time I went to Montreal in the summertime I stayed at one of the university dorms. About US$40/night. Not bad and easily accessible to the metro. Shared baths but the dorm was pretty empty anyways.

Montreal is not like Paris. The only thing they have in common is that they're large cities where the majority of the population speaks French. Other than that, they're completely different places.

Hi timewaster,

You will have no trouble finding people who speak English in Montreal, especially in the downtown area, where many foreign students live and work due to the proximity of the city's two English-language universities. Even French-Canadians will generally answer you in English, but because the language issue is a sensitive one here, they will greatly appreciate it if you can muster a few basic words in French -- if only "bonjour" and "merci".

As far as clothes go, as azz8206 has already mentioned, shorts and t-shirts during the day and more formal wear at night if you are going out is best. Don't forget to bring something in case it rains!

The only area of Montreal that should be avoided at night is Montréal-Nord, but it is out of the way (northern part of the island) and there are no tourist attractions there anyway. Downtown is very safe: if you find a hotel there within your price range, you can likely make your way back there on foot, no matter how late.

"Montreal is mostly english speaking...."


What?? Have you ever even been here?

The vast majority of people in Montreal speak French. In touristy areas, you'll have little trouble finding people who will be able to help you in English, but it should never simply be presumed that this will always be the case.

I was born and raised in Montreal and the majority of people are english speaking.

French is the main language spoken on the Island of Montreal.

According to a report published in March 2008, the rate of people whose mother tongue is French on the island has gone under 50% for the first time -- however, that figure does not take into account the many immigrants who have learned French since their arrival or who already knew French (such as people from France, Haiti and former French colonies in Africa). And the rate of people who work in French in Montreal is 65%.

Book mark...

"I was born and raised in Montreal and the majority of people are english speaking."


You must be either a troll (most likely) or someone who grew up in Beaconsfield and never ventured east of Pointe Claire.
Your statement is both absurd and just plain wrong. Or you're talking about a different Montreal.

French 66.5%
English 13.2%

Actually I lived in Montreal Nord, Cote St. Luc, St. Leonard and Westmount.

The question was do people speak English in Montreal not if they are French Canadians.

All the French Canadians I know speak English. Smartass

Yeah, OK. That's a reliable statistic.

alright dude now lets be friends.

Any feedback about Best westren europa hotel?

As you could read, language can become an issue in Québec. But, french canadians are no savage. By stating up front you are a tourist, you will not be part of this issue.
Than, no offense to our cousins, but you will find way more people speaking english in Montreal than in Paris.
Have a nice stay.