Montreal is a city brimming with history, quirky traditions, and surprising secrets. It’s the second-largest French-speaking city in the world, after Paris, and a cultural hub that has shaped Canada’s identity in countless ways.
From its unique food to its tumultuous history, here are 29 fascinating facts about Montreal that you probably didn’t know. Whether you’re a long time resident or just planning your first trip, there’s always something new to discover in this vibrant city.
1. 1976 Montreal Olympics: A Financial Disaster
The 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal are remembered for their grandeur—but also for the colossal financial disaster that followed. The games left the city with a staggering debt that took 30 years to pay off. The Olympic Stadium, which became a symbol of this financial turmoil, wasn’t fully paid for until 2006.
2. Musical Swings
Downtown Montreal has a set of swings that make music when in motion. These aren’t ordinary playground swings—when all three are perfectly synchronized, they create a harmonious song. It’s an artistic and fun addition to the urban landscape. If you’re planning to explore the city, you can book Montreal to enjoy these unique musical swings and other downtown attractions.
3. Underground City
Winter in Montreal can be harsh, but the city’s solution to this problem is a massive underground city! Known as the “RESO,” this network of underground complexes is perfect for escaping the cold. Stretching over 20 miles, it includes everything from shopping malls to metro stations.
4. Subway Trains and Peanut Oil
Montreal’s subway trains use a unique method to reduce noise. Instead of conventional metal brake shoes, they use wooden ones soaked in peanut oil. This quirky technique reduces noise pollution and ensures that the subway is quieter than many other systems.
5. Montreal Style Bagel
Forget about the New York bagel—Montreal’s bagels are a whole different story. These bagels are smaller, denser, and sweeter, with a larger hole. They are boiled in honey-sweetened water and then baked in wood-fired ovens. A true Montreal bagel has no sugar or salt, but the malt flavour is unmistakable.
6. WWII Gold Reserves
During World War II, Britain shipped its gold reserves to Montreal for safekeeping. The gold was stored in an office building downtown, with crates labelled “Fish.” Unbeknownst to the 5,000 workers in the building, these crates contained millions of dollars in gold.
7. French-Speaking Population
Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world, after Paris. While it is a bilingual city, French is the dominant language, and it’s an essential part of the city’s identity and culture.
8. Abandoned Airport
In the 1970s, Montreal built the world’s largest airport, Mirabel International Airport. However, the airport quickly became underused and was eventually abandoned. Today, it stands as a symbol of overambitious planning.
9. Montreal Riots
In 1955, Montreal witnessed a riot that was sparked by the suspension of a Montreal Canadiens player. Fans, outraged by the decision, took to the streets in protest, causing chaos throughout the city.
10. Total Recall’s Apartment Complex
Fans of the 2012 film Total Recall will recognize the apartment complex featured in the movie—it is based on a real location in Montreal. The building’s futuristic design made it the perfect fit for the science fiction film.
11. Laurier Palace Theatre Fire
One of the most tragic events in Montreal’s history occurred in 1927 when a fire at the Laurier Palace Theatre claimed the lives of 78 children. This tragedy led to a ban on children under 16 attending cinemas, which remained in place until 1961.
12. 1969 Police Strike
In 1969, Montreal’s police went on strike for 16 hours. During this time, six banks were robbed, over 100 shops were looted, and twelve fires were set. It was a chaotic and dangerous period for the city.
13. Metro Island
Montreal isn’t just a city on land—it has created its own island! The island was constructed using dirt excavated from metro tunnels and is home to the Charlevoix metro station.
14. Maple Syrup Robbery
In 2012, Montreal was the scene of a daring heist: a group of thieves stole $20 million worth of maple syrup. The crime, which is one of Canada’s largest robberies, involved siphoning off syrup from a facility in Quebec and selling it on the black market.
15. City Name Origin
Montreal’s name comes from Mount Royal, the three-peaked hill in the city’s downtown. The name “Montreal” is derived from the French words “Mont” (mountain) and “Royal” (royal), referring to the hill.
16. Mikinak Group
In Montreal’s suburbs, a group calling themselves the Mikinak offers unrecognized indigenous status for a fee of $80. This group has faced accusations of fraud by First Nations leaders, raising concerns over the legitimacy of such claims.
17. Marie-Joseph Angelique
Marie-Joseph Angelique, an enslaved woman in Montreal, was accused of burning down half of the city in 1734. Despite there being no evidence, she was convicted and executed, a tragic example of racial injustice in the city’s history.
18. Ice Bridge (1880-1883)
Montreal had a temporary ice bridge from 1880 to 1883, which was used to run trains across the frozen Saint Lawrence River. This bridge was a marvel of engineering at the time and allowed trains to continue running during harsh winters.
19. Sex Test at 1976 Olympics
The 1976 Montreal Olympics is infamous for requiring all female athletes, except Princess Anne, to undergo a humiliating sex test. This invasive procedure was nothing more than a physical grope and is widely regarded as a dark chapter in Olympic history.
20. Green Ink for U.S. Currency
The green ink used for American currency was invented in Montreal. In 1857, chemist Thomas Sterry Hunt at McGill University developed the distinctive green ink, which was later adopted by the U.S. Treasury.
21. Inappropriate Headstone
In Montreal’s graveyards, there exists a headstone with a seven-line acrostic spelling out “f**k YOU.” This unusual inscription is rumoured to have been commissioned by the deceased man’s ex-wife and mistress.
22. Montreal Flag
The flag of Montreal is a symbol of the city’s multicultural roots. It features four emblems representing the four main ethnic groups that settled the city: French, English, Scottish, and Irish.
23. $2 Banknotes Mystery (1949)
In 1949, Montreal and Toronto saw a mysterious surge in the use of $2 banknotes. Even the Bank of Canada was unable to explain the sudden increase, leaving it one of Montreal’s most intriguing financial mysteries.
24. Mohawk Language Radio Station
Montreal has a unique radio station that broadcasts country music and talk shows in the Mohawk language. This station helps preserve and promote indigenous language and culture in the area.
25. Hatred of Napoleon
The French people in Montreal had such a strong hatred for Napoleon that they erected a statue of the admiral who defeated him. This statue stands as a reminder of the city’s complex relationship with historical figures.
26. Montreal Convention
The Montreal Convention, adopted by ICAO member states, regulates compensation for air disaster victims. Notably, the convention does not allow for compensation based solely on psychiatric injury.
27. First Ice Hockey Game
The first ice hockey game in Montreal was played on March 3, 1875. The match, however, was cut short due to a fight—a precursor to the intense rivalries that would come to define the sport.
28. Lachine’s Name Origin
The borough of Lachine in Montreal got its name from the French term “la Chine,” meaning China. This name came about when an early explorer mocked a landowner who had failed to find a route to China.
29. Haunted Arena
Montreal’s former hockey arena, the Montreal Forum, is rumoured to be haunted by the ghosts of deceased players from the Montreal Canadian’s. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it adds an eerie layer to the city’s rich sports history.
Some images suppled. Some images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
