Montreal In Pictures

March 21 2012

Another great summer-like day today here in Montreal and once again broke the high temperature record set in 1946 (14 degrees) by hitting 26 degrees on the thermometer this afternoon.

Bars, resto’s and cafés have rushed to get their terraces open to make the most of the un-seasonal weather. The last few day’s are more like what we expect in May, so a nice early start for businesses who pay extra in taxes to have a terrace.

Café Cherrier on saint Denis and corner of rue Cherrier is a great French bistro on the Plateau and has a wonderful terrace on the street to sit and people watch. In the summer ivy provides some welcome shade – but seemed like today people were more than happy to be sitting out in the sun.

Café Cherrier on rue Saint Denis

Not far from Café Cherrier is Parc La Fontaine. The last time I was here on January 14 the lake was an ice rink, today the not-so-attractive lake was surrounded by sunbathers.

: People enjoying the sun at Parc la Fontaine

People enjoying the sun at Parc la Fontaine

Having fun in Lake Fontaine

Meeting of friends in Fontaine Park

Musicians enjoying playing in the sun

From Parc la Fontaine I headed along rue Rachel where I spotted this brightly colored store which was well suited given the fact it sold paint.

Paint store on rue Rachel est

The Plateau is home to a large Portuguese population. Most days you will smell a mix of chicken and fish being barbequed in the restaurants along rue Rachel. Between rue Marie-Anne est and rue Vallières on blvd Saint Laurent there is Parc Portugal. You will often find people sitting and passing the time of day here. Today was no exception and I captured these guys taking a break and enjoying having got their park back from the clutches of winter.

Taking a break in Portugal Park

Another park that is often filled with interesting and colorful characters is square Saint Louis near rue Prince Arthur and Saint Denis. The square used to be popular with drug dealers and prostitutes but now is a great place to hang and people watch. I will be revisiting the park in more depth in the future, so today will just leave you with this image of a girl cutting her friends hair. I’m in desperate need of a trim myself, but given it looked like she was using garden shears, I decided not to ask what she charged for a dry cut.