Montreal in 19 neighbourhoods: A series OLD SAINT-LAURENT
BEYOND IKEA: Ville Saint-Laurent may be known for its history, multiculturalism, and out-of-this-world hot dogs, but Ikea remains one of its most popular establishments. Centrally located just 15 minutes away from downtown, the West Island and Laval, the
1. Daou Restaurant
A tried-and-true, family-run Lebanese restaurant that’s renowned for one thing (other than kibbeh): being one of Céline Dion and late husband René Angélil’s favourite places to eat.
2. Décarie Boulevard
While the thought of Décarie Boulevard doesn’t necessarily bring an instant smile to most Montrealers’ faces, the thoroughfare is rife with history. In Ville Saint-Laurent especially, it’s a thriving commercial street with countless stores, restaurants, bars, libraries and community centres.
3. Decarie Hot Dog
If you’re from Ville Saint-Laurent, there’s really only one place you’ll ever go for hot dogs, not to mention poutine. Open since 1969, Decarie Hot Dog is an old-school diner, but that doesn’t mean it’s stuck in the past. It now offers catering, too.
4. Vanier College
Named in honour of Governor General Georges P. Vanier, this English-language CEGEP has been around since 1970. Located on land that was once occupied by a convent (Notre-Dame-desAnges) and a women’s college (Basile-Moreau), Vanier is known for its culturally diverse student body, its basketball and football teams, as well as its continuing education program.
5. Cégep de Saint-Laurent
This French-language college was established by Father Basile-Antoine Moreau in 1847 and became part of the public school system in 1968. Cégep de SaintLaurent is best known for its natural science museum, theatre company and music school.
6. Musée des Maîtres et Artisans du Québec (MMAQ)
The museum opened its doors in 1979, but before that, it was the Presbyterian Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, and then a train station. The building’s current incarnation holds 10,000 traditional arts and crafts made in Quebec, and promotes awareness of traditional and contemporary arts.
7. Corporation culturelle latino-américaine de l’amitié (COCLA)
A community organization founded in 1984 with the intent of assisting Latin American immigrants in the area, COCLA exists to help all newcomers adapt to their new life in the province, regardless of origin, race, sex, creed or political ideology.