Renato, Dennis, Declan and I visited the old part of town, Vieux Montréal, around the cathedral. It’s an interesting mix of styles, really old smaller buildings, interspersed with more modern ones, e.g. from the 19th century.

Cobblestone streets remind you of Europe, and of the age of this city, which is one of the oldest on the North American continent. A fur trading post was established here in 1611, and the colony proper was founded in May 1642.

So parts of the city do have a distinct European charm, the cafés and French language contributing to the illusion of being back home.

I have to get back there at night, I’m sure it’s even more charming with the night bars filled, and the nearby old port area that has been transformed into parks. But right now the Jazz festival just takes up so much time….

We ended the day in the Museum of contemporary art. Wednesday evening the museum is half off, and we strolled through it a bit and especially enjoyed the Pulse Room, a clever light bulb installation that translates your pulse and heart beat rhythm onto hundreds of bulbs hanging from the ceiling.