In 1642, a tiny French colony took root on land once occupied by Iroquoian groups. Over the centuries, Montréal became an active commercial centre, then an important metropolis, transformed first by industrialization and then by the development of its service sector.

Montrealers have developed a unique brand of culture, constantly seeking to make connections between their French and Québecois heritage and the contributions of other cultures. While the British in particular left a deep mark on the city’s economy, institutions and architecture, Montréal is also a strikingly American city.

As a city of immigration where people of diverse origins have always settled and lived side by side, Montréal remains a city of communication, characterized by the circulation of individuals, ideas, goods, capital and technology. The cohabitation of its francophone and anglophone cultures gives these characteristics a unique flavour, making Montréal a fascinating city.