FUSION 2001 - Traveler information

Traveler information

Information about the Province of Québec can be gathered at the following bilingual sites:

Destination Québec

Québec Tourism

If you are planning to rent a car for the weekends (before or after) the conference, Montreal is less than an hour away from the US border and the neighbouring states of New York, Vermont and New Hampshire offer mountainous terrain not found in Québec (Adirondacks, Green Mountains and White Mountains, respectively). Attractions that can be found within walking distance of the conference grounds include:

Place des Arts, Corner of Sainte-Catherine West and Jeanne-Mance Streets, Tel.: (514) 842-2112, metro Place-des-Arts . Since its inauguration in 1963, Place des Arts has been at the very heart of Montréal's cultural life. Spread over a 100,000 square-metre area, this performing arts centre comprises five state-of-the-art halls with a total seating capacity of nearly 6,000.

Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, 1379 - 1380 Sherbrooke Street West, Tel.: (514) 285-2000, metro Peel / Guy-Concordia. Canada's oldest and one of its most important art institutions, founded in 1860, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has been guided by a commitment to attract people from all walks of life. It has assembled one of North America's finest encyclopedic collections, totalling over 30,000 objects from around the world, from antiquity till now. Important temporary exhibitions are organized all year long.

Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, René-Lévesque Blvd. West, corner of Mansfield Street, Tel.: (514) 866-1661, metro Bonaventure. A scaled-down replica of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, this magnificent Catholic cathedral was built at the end of the 19th century in the heart of what was then the city's Anglo-Protestant sector. Inside, a superb gilded neo-baroque baldachin overlooks the altar. Open: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Notre-Dame Basilica, 110 Notre-Dame Street West, Tel.: (514) 842-2925, metro Place-d'Armes. A masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, Notre-Dame Basilica was built between 1824 and 1829. The magnificent interior decor, in sculpted wood, paint and gold leaf, captivates hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Paintings, sculptures and stained-glass windows illustrate biblical passages as well as three-and-a-half centuries of parish history and Montréal society. The majestic sound of the symphonic organ, created by the renowned Casavant firm in Saint-Hyacinthe (Québec), can be heard during all religious ceremonies.

Montréal Planétarium, 1000 Saint-Jacques Street, Tel.: (514) 872-4530, metro Bonaventure. Since its opening in 1966, the Montréal Planétarium has welcomed several million visitors - children and adults, novice star gazers and professional astronomers. Every season, the Star Theatre presents a new show that explores the most exciting discoveries in astronomy and the sciences of space. The performances alternate in English and French.

McCord Museum of Canadian History, 690 Sherbrooke Street West, Tel.: (514) 398-7100, metro McGill. The McCord is one of North America's most significant historical institutions. It possesses the most important First Nations collection in Québec, the foremost Costume and Textiles collection in the country, and a photographic archives that is unparalleled anywhere in the world. This diversified collection is an inspiration for anyone seeking to explore the history of Canada.

IMAX Theatre of the Old Port of Montréal, Corner of de la Commune Street and Saint-Laurent Blvd. Tel.: (514) 496-IMAX (4629), metro Place-d'Armes. Located in the heart of the Old Port of Montréal and at the doorstep of the historical quarter, the IMAX Theatre of the Old Port of Montréal allows visitors to experience cinema at its finest. The Theatre is equipped with the IMAX 2D and 3D technologies and French or English versionsproduced on a screen seven storeys high.

Attractions that are located together near the 1976 Olympic site and can be reached by metro or taxi include:

Montréal Olympic Park, 4141 Pierre-De Coubertin Avenue, Tel.:(514) 252-8687, metro Viau. Built for the 1976 Summer Olympic Games, the Olympic Stadium is the Olympic Park's centre-piece and is a bold design of the French architect Roger Taillibert. Impressive in size and shape, and topped by the tallest inclined tower in the world, the Olympic Stadium quickly became a choice location for major sporting events, rock concerts and mass gatherings. A funicular-type elevator brings visitors to the top-three observation floors, where they have a superb view of Montréal and its surroundings. Guided Tours of the Stadium are available.

Montréal Botanical Garden, 4101 Sherbrooke Street East, Tel.: (514) 872-1400, metro Pie-IX. The Montréal Botanical Garden, created in 1931, is now one of the largest in the world. Visitors can explore its ten exhibition greenhouses and more than 30 outdoor gardens, and experience the colours and fragrances of the world. They will also be charmed by the exotic Chinese and Japanese Gardens. Entering the Tree House, they will also learn about the wealth of Québec forests.

Montréal Insectarium, 4581 Sherbrooke Street East, Tel: (514) 872-1400, metro Viau. The Montréal Insectarium located on the grounds of the Montréal Botanical Garden, is home to some mysterious and little-known creatures: the insects of the world! This Summer visitors can stroll among Québec's most beautiful butterflies, which flit about freely in an airy Butterfly house.

Montréal Biodôme, 4777 Pierre-De Coubertin Avenue, Tel.: (514) 868-3000, metro Viau. Experience ecology in the heart of Montréal! Four natural ecosystems create an environmental museum inside the Biodôme. Rocky landscapes, tumbling waterfalls and majestic trees are home to birds, mammals and fish that fly, climb and swim through their natural habitats: the tropical forest, the Laurentian forest, the Saint-Laurent marine environment and the polar world.

Attractions which are on the Islands that hosted the 1967 World Fair are accessible by the Ile-Sainte-Hélène metro station. They are part of Parc Jean-Drapeau (formerly parc des Îles, renamed to honor our most famous mayor), Tel.: (514) 872-ÎLES (4537) / 1-800-797-ÎLES (4537). During Summer, Montréal's Parc Jean-Drapeau (parc des Îles) offers both Québec's largest amusement park La Ronde, and one of the world most beautiful fireworks competition at the Benson & Hedges International. Visitors can enjoy a real sandy beach, an hour of sailing on the lake or maybe a bike ride or outing on inline skates through the marvellous Jardins des Floralies. A shimmering mosaic of water and greenery, sprinkled throughout with attractions and events, Montréal's Parc Jean-Drapeau (parc des Îles) is a dream destination for enjoying leisure time or perhaps hitting the jackpot at Montréal's Casino! And there's more - the Air Canada Grand Prix, the Fêtes Gourmandes Internationales de Montréal (during the conference!) and many other major events that appear on the program of the city's largest recreational and tourist park. All year long, the Biosphere and the Stewart Museum top the list for history and ecology fans while Hélène de Champlain and Festin du Gouverneur restaurants enchant visitors with their unique atmosphere.

The Biosphère, 160 Tour-de-l'Isle Road, Parc Jean-Drapeau (parc des Îles) de Montréal, Tel.: (514) 283-5000, metro Île-Sainte-Hélène. This former Expo'67 American pavilion is Canada's first Ecowatch Centre. Dedicated to water, and particularly to the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes, the Biosphère is aimed at sensitizing the visitors to the importance and the protection of these vital ressources. Four exhibition halls, multimedia presentations, interactive technologies, hyper-modern museography and a team of guides-facilitators make the Biosphère an educative and entertaining place for the entire family.

La Ronde, Île Sainte-Hélène, Parc Jean-Drapeau (parc des Îles) de Montréal, Tel.: (514) 872-ÎLES (4537) / 1-800-797-ÎLES (4537), metro Île-Sainte-Hélène. Just a stone's throw from downtown, La Ronde has 35 rides for the whole family and free shows, including the Haute Voltige divers, who jump from incredible heights! Petite Ronde offers eight rides for the little ones, and Choubidou and his merry band will delight everyone with colourful entertainment and shows!

Le Casino, is located on an artificial island (Ile Notre-Dame, which also host the Canadian F1 Grand Prix), and can be reached through an enjoyable (if long) walk from metro Île-Sainte-Hélène. Maybe the taxi fare is worth it, since you will spend a lot here! Ranked among the world's 10 largest casinos, the Montreal Casino has everything it takes to dazzle: an exceptional location, outstanding architecture and breathtaking decor! Treat yourself to a meal at one of the Casino's fine restaurants. Nuances, awarded five stars by the Mobil Travel Guide for the second consecutive year, promises you a memorable gourmet experience. Standing ovations are a familiar sight at the Casino Cabaret, where famous stars and exciting variety shows bring audiences to their feet! The casino has 2750 slot machines - 112 gambling tables including Blackjack, Roulette, Double Chance Roulette, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Grand Prix Poker (Let It Ride) and Super Pan 9 - Keno.

Additional information about Montréal for conference participants and their guests can be found at these bilingual Internet sites:

Montréal International

French
Last Updated: 26 11 2001