The Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity has designated Montreal as UNESCO City of Design as part of the Creative Cities Network, on May 17, 2006. Here are some links about design in the City.

See also
» Design Montreal website or the video
» Montreal-UNESCO International City of Design
» Créativité Montréal
» Kollectif.net
» INDEX Design

During peak festival season, it’s impossible to walk half a block without being invited to join a street party, a parade or some other spirited celebration. Festivals are a natural extension of Montrealers’ passionate nature and their propensity for seizing the moment. Revelers take over the city at the drop of a hat; jazz, racing cars, comedy, film, fringe and fireworks are just a few of the reasons to celebrate.

» Mondial de la bière
» Festival des Francofolies
» Montreal Bike Fest 2010
» Nuit Blanche sur Tableau Noir
» Présence autochtone
» L'International des Feux Loto-Quebec

One of the largest in the world, the Montréal Jazz Festival takes over the streets and virtually every cultural venue for 10 days of sultry sound and dancing throngs. The festival attracts jazz greats from around the world, and past performers have included such virtuosos as Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, Ray Charles, Vic Vogel and Gary Burton.

Just for Laughs is a comedy festival that has been held in Montréal since 1983. The festival showcases both English- and French-speaking comics, with international and non-verbal acts (acrobats, pantomimes, etc.) scattered throughout Montréal’s streets. The festival is a stimulating environment for performers to entertain audiences from around the world and one of the best opportunities for undiscovered talent to be noticed by industry professionals. With so many different types of comedy routines being performed throughout the festival, there is something for everyone, making Montréal the place to be for people who want to laugh

Montréal’s museums are renowned worldwide as exceptional tributes to the past and celebrations of the modern. They are attuned to the rhythm of the city, inviting curiosity and provoking creative thought. In all, some 30 museums preserve and showcase a rich heritage of over 4 million pieces of art, history, architecture, archaeology, science and nature.

» Montreal City of Glass

» The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

“The mountain,” as it is affectionately known, is a breath of fresh air in the middle of the city. At the top, a lookout offers a breathtaking view of downtown Montréal, the St. Lawrence River and, beyond that, distant hills. A great place for a picnic or a run, mere minutes—yet light years—away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Montréal.

Located between the river and the city centre, Old Montréal is one of the oldest urban areas in North America, with its oldest building dating back to the 1600s. It preserves much of Montréal's unique past, from the place where the city was founded in 1642 to stunning 18th and 19th century architecture and the first Canadian skyscrapers. Architectural lighting has made Old Montréal more romantic and charming than ever. The museums, boutiques, sidewalk cafés, world-class restaurants and public places all contribute to the aura of old-world romance.

The old town's riverbank is completely taken up by the Old Port (Vieux-Port) , whose maritime facilities are surrounded by a vast recreational space, including museums, parks and long stretches of bike paths. Stretching for over two kilometres along the St. Lawrence River, the riverfront offers a wide variety of activities, including street performances and artists, horse-drawn carriage rides, the Montréal Science Centre and an IMAX Theatre.

» Quais du Vieux-Port

Montréal’s famous underground city is a marvel of urban planning. With over 32 kilometres of tunnels spread over an area of 12 square kilometres, it links 60 residential and commercial complexes which contain 3.6 square kilometres of floor space, including 80% of the office space and 35% of the commercial space in downtown Montréal. Services include shopping malls, hotels, banks, offices, museums, universities, seven subway stations, two commuter train stations, a bus terminal and the Bell Centre hockey arena. The underground city has more than 120 exterior access points. Some 500,000 people use the underground city every day to escape the traffic and/or Montréal's winter.

Montréal is the first city in the world to sign the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations' Geotourism Charter and to offer an urban geotourism map and guide.

» Montreal Geotourism
» Montreal Guide Map