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Montreal – a brief overview
Montreal is a special city – a city drawing on the attitude of North America and the heritage of Europe to create a dynamic, diverse and decidedly cool metropolis. France ceded the region to the British back in the 1700s, but the French influence remains thick – something evident through everything from the road signs to the three daily
Francophone newspapers. Montreal is an exciting city, blending cutting-edge cultural events and innovation with a fondness for small-town tradition. When you’ve been here for a while, you’ll understand why it routinely features highly in lists of the world’s most liveable cities.
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Top 10 sights in Montreal

Montreal Biosphere
H3C 4G8 Montreal
Canada
Tel.: +1-514/283 50 00
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700 (Jun-Aug)
Hours vary at other times
An unmistakable part of the skyline, the biosphere doubles as a museum dedicated to environmental awareness, with plenty of interactive exhibits.
Montreal Botanical Garden
H1X 2B2 Montreal
Canada
Tel.: +1-514/872 14 00
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 0900-1700 (Nov-May)
Daily 0900-1800 (Jun-Aug)
Daily 0900-2100 (Sep-Oct)
Comprising around 75 hectares of greenhouses and gardens, and around 22,000 plant species and cultivars, this is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the world.
Arsenal
H3J 1R8 Montreal
Canada
Tel.: +1-514/931 99 78
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Opening times:
Tue-Fri 1000-1800
Sat 1000-1700
A former shipyard, this contemporary arts venue is now one of the most eye-catching event spaces in the city. It shows Canadian and international art.
St Joseph’s Oratory
H3V 1H6 Montreal
Canada
Tel.: +1-514/733 82 11
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Opening times:
Daily 0600-2130 (crypt church and votive chapel)
Hours vary for other sections
Standing adjacent to Mount Royal Park, this lofty basilica is a draw for religious and secular tourists alike. Hundreds of candles add to the atmosphere inside.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
H3G 1J5 Montreal
Canada
Tel.: +1-514/285 20 00
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1700
One of the country’s top museums, this huge art gallery stretches across four main pavilions, with a fifth due to open in the future. The collection ranges from Old Masters to modern design pieces.
La Ronde
H3C 6A3 Montreal
Canada
Tel.: +1-514/397 20 00
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Opening times:
Daily (Jun-Aug)
Sat-Sun only (May and Sep-Oct)
Closed (Nov-May)
The largest amusement park in Quebec, offering a series of fast rides for thrill-seekers. It was initially constructed as part of the World’s Fair, held in Montreal in 1967.
Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History
H2Y 3Y5 Montreal
Canada
Tel.: +1-514/872 91 50
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Opening times:
Tue-Fri 1000-1700
Sat-Sun 1100-1700
Also known as Pointe-à-Callière, this large-scale museum takes visitors on a journey from the pre-Columbian era to the present day.
Mount Royal Park
H3H 1A2 Montreal
Canada
Tel.: +1-514/843 82 40
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Opening times:
Daily 0600-2400
This 200-hectare park marks the highest point of the city, making it not just a great place to relax, jog or take a picnic, but a memorable lookout spot to boot.
Notre-Dame Basilica
H2Y 1T2 Montreal
Canada
Tel.: +1-514/842 29 25
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Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0800-1630 (Oct-Jun)
Sat 0800-1600
Sun 1230-1600
Home to some of the best Gothic Revival architecture in the entire continent, this imposing basilica can be visited on an individual basis or as part of a group tour.
Old Montreal
Montreal
Canada
Tel: +1-514/872 87 02
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The city’s historic centre remains a fascinating place to soak up Montreal’s unique heritage and learn more about its period buildings. It was once a walled city in its own right.
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Country information
Country overview
From Banff to Baffin Island, from Tofino to Toronto, Canada is a remarkable country. The world’s second largest country boasts an astonishing diversity of landscapes: rugged, unspoilt coastline abuts immense forests and emerald lakes containing a startling array of wildlife; vast, seemingly endless prairies become jaw-droppingly beautiful mountain ranges;
laid-back, cosmopolitan cities are complemented by remote, quirky outposts. Whether you’re a hardcore adrenaline junkie looking for a backcountry adventure, an explorer heading out on a big road trip, a city lover hunting for cutting-edge culture and fine cuisine or a combination of all the above, Canada ticks all the boxes.
Geography
Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia, covering an area of 9,984,670 sq km (3,855,103 sq miles). It is bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean and Alaska, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the northeast by Greenland (across the Nares Strait), and to the south by the ‘Lower 48′ states of the USA.
The landscape is diverse, ranging from the Arctic tundra of the north to the great prairies of the central area. Westward are the Rocky Mountains, and in the southeast are the Great Lakes, the St Lawrence River and Niagara Falls. The country is divided into 10 provinces and three territories.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 36.4 million (estimate 2017)
Capital: Ottawa.
Language
Canada is officially bilingual (English and French).
Currency
Canadian Dollar (CAD; symbol C$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of C$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of C$2 and 1, and 25, 10, 5 cents. Although the 1c coin (or penny) remains legal tender, as of 2013 it is being phased out of circulation.
Electricity
110-120 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style flat two-pin and three-pin (grounded) plugs are standard.
Public holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.
Some provinces of Canada have further Pubic Holidays.
2019
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2019
Good Friday: 19 April 2019
Victoria Day: 20 May 2019*
Canada Day (Republic Day): 1 July 2019
Labor Day: 2 September 2019
Thanksgiving Day: 14 October 2019*
Remembrance Day: 11 November 2019*
Christmas Day: 25 December 2019
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Good Friday: 10 April 2020
Victoria Day: 18 May 2020*
Canada Day (Republic Day): 1 July 2020
Labor Day: 7 September 2020
Thanksgiving Day: 12 October 2020*
Remembrance Day: 11 November 2020*
Christmas Day: 25 December 2020
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Montreal
More than 1.5 million people call Montreal home, so the fact that it has a strong night-time culture is something of a given.
Chilled or frenetic, refined or alternative, there’s something for all comers.
Dieu du Ciel!
H2T 2N2 Montreal
Canada
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A relaxed neighbourhood brewpub with a broad selection of ales and stouts.
Sir Winston Churchill Pub
H3G 2B2 Montreal
Canada
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More a nightlife complex than a mere pub, this is as good for a dance as it is for a drink.
Big In Japan Bar
H2W 1Y7 Montreal
Canada
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Speakeasy-style hangout with long, candlelit bar, a chilled vibe and fruity cocktails – look out for the red door.
Stereo
H2L 2E3 Montreal
Canada
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An after-hours club specialising in house music.
Casa del Popolo
H2T 1R6 Montreal
Canada
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The “house of the people,” this restaurant is a meeting place for artists and writers as well as a venue for cultural events, such as concerts, readings, poetry slams and art-house film shows. It also offers tasty bistro snacks, many of them also available as vegetarian and vegan options.
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Restaurants in Montreal
Montreal’s dining scene is thick with French influence – which phrased another way means it’s pretty special.
Serious foodies will find ample variety however, both in terms of price and cuisine.
Europea
H3G 1Z2 Montreal
Canada
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Price: Expensive
A fine-dining restaurant that’s received various accolades over the years.
Au Pied de Cochon
H2L 1A9 Montreal
Canada
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Price: Expensive
More genuinely high-end fare on offer here, particularly for carnivores.
Modavie
H2Y 1Y6 Montreal
Canada
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Price: Moderate
A jazz bar-cum-bistro with nightly live music and some excellent French dishes.
Kazu
H3H 1M1 Montreal
Canada
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Price: Moderate
A popular Japanese restaurant serving up authentic dishes from the Far East.
Fairmount Bagel
H2T 2M2 Montreal
Canada
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Price: Cheap
Drawing on a century of bagel-making experience, this is a Montreal institution.
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Calendar of events
La Fête des Neiges (Schneefest)
19 January – 10 February 2019
Website
Venue: Parc Jean Drapeau
Winter festival celebrating everything snow related. Held on three consecutive weekends in Parc Jean Drapeau, the event offers park trails, skating, boot hockey and tube sliding.
Montréal en Lumière (Montreal leuchtet)
21 February – 3 March 2019
Website
Venue: Restaurants and venues across Montreal
A foodie fest on a grand scale, Montreal en Lumiere (Highlights Festival) takes place at approximately 50 of the city’s top restaurants. An extraordinary culinary and vinicultural adventure is promised, as top chefs, wine-producers and assorted connoisseurs arrive to meet up with their local counterparts for a very special party. At Highlights, diners have the opportunity to enjoy the perfect marriage of foods and wines in expert company at wonderful suppers. On a more modest level, fortifying comfort food from the four corners of the world is served at modest prices at lunch time.
Tour de l'Île de Montréal (Fahrradrennen)
26 May – 2 June 2019
Website
Venue: Around Montreal
World’s largest public bicycle race, part of the Montreal Bike Fest, around the island. This classic cycling race is expanding, offering no fewer than five route options.
Montreal Fringe Festival
28 May – 17 June 2019
Website
Venue: Various Plateau venues
Fringe theatre, with some comedy, music and dance.
Montréal Grand Prix (Großer Preis von Montreal)
8 – 10 June 2019
Website
Venue: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Petrolheads should head to Montreal for the best-known Formula 1 racing car event with 70 laps of thrilling action planned on the Gilles Villeneuve circuit.
La Fête Nationale du Québec (Provinzfeiertag Quebec)
24 June 2019
Website
Venue: Throughout Quebec, with smaller celebrations elsewhere in Canada
Historically, 24 June has marked the midsummer solstice and the religious feast day of Saint-Jean-Baptiste (St John the Baptist). Today it’s become a celebration of Quebecois pride. Quebec natives and French Canadians throughout the country commemorate this annual holiday with vibrant local festivities. Montreal in particular goes to town with a spectacular show of musical performances, fun family entertainment and a flamboyant parade.
Festival International du Jazz (Internationales Jazzfestival)
27 June – 6 July 2019
Website
Venue: Various concert halls and cafes across Montreal
The first Montreal International Jazz Festival was held in 1980 and attracted 12,000 people. Since then it has grown to become one of the biggest jazz events in the world now attracting well over two million visitors. The 12-day festival is held in various venues across Montreal and puts on an eclectic music programme ranging from traditional jazz through to blues and reggae played by musicians from all over the world. Approximately three quarters of the 500 or so performances are free of charge, helping to create an incredible party atmosphere.
Montreal International Fireworks Competition
July – August 2019
Website
Venue: Various venues
The largest pyrotechnics competition of its kind in the world, the Montreal International Fireworks Competition has been going since 1985 and is one of this city’s top attractions. Head for Clock Tower Beach, Parc Jean-Drapeau or La Ronde for a view of the spectacle.
Festival International Nuits d'Afrique
9 – 21 July 2019
Website
Venue: Various
The Festival International Nuits d’Afrique is back in Montreal. As North America’s biggest world music spectacle, the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique is a fitting showcase for all musical styles of African descent and a great opportunity to discover the sounds of the continent via the Montreal festival scene. This world-class music event will presents 100 acts from 30 countries, plus free outdoor activities and shows for the whole family.
Just for Laughs Festival
10 – 28 July 2019
Website
Venue: Various indoor and outdoor venues
For a rib-tickling, hilarious time of it, Montreal is the place to be over 10 days in midsummer. Daily helpings of mirth and laughter are doled out at comedy shows across the city, featuring some of the world’s top comedy acts. In addition to that, there are plenty of free events to tickle the funny bone. Just For Laughs run comedy shows year-round, but festival time also features Crowd Pleasers, a comprehensive variety of interactive, outrageous, popular and entertaining activities and events designed to reach as wide an audience as possible. These vignettes of comic street theatre attract people of all ages and backgrounds. La Grande Bouffe is a big free feast that attracts thousands, and the festival concludes with a spectacular Big Event held at the Grand-Place Loto-Quebec.
Tennis Masters Canada
2 – 11 August 2019
Website
Venue: Uniprix Stadium
The Rogers Cup Men’s event and the Rogers Cup Women’s event are each important legs of the ATP Masters Series. They rotate each year between the Rexall Centre in Toronto and the Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. The men’s event features the biggest names in the game – since the inception of the Masters Series in 2000, the top-52 players in the world are automatically entered. Record crowds turn up to watch the top level encounters of this competition, but there is more than just tennis on offer. The Rogers Cup mixes sport and culture, including music concerts, Tennis in the Street, and lavish opening ceremonies.
Montreal Festival of Fashion and Design
August 2019
Website
Venue: Downtown
Celebrating international and local high-fashion and design, this is a rather glamorous event that features renowned national designers, exciting musical performances and special events.
MUTEK
August 2019
Website
Venue: Various locations in the heart of Montreal
MUTEK is a digital arts and electronic music festival, featuring over 100 artists and professionals from 15 different countries for five days of indoor and outdoor performances, presentations, special events, workshops and panels. The MUTEK name has become synonymous with ground-breaking live performances by the most adventurous talents contemporary electronic music has to offer, and this edition is no exception.
Montreal World Film Festival (Montreal International Film Festival)
August – September 2019
Website
Venue: Various cinemas in Montreal
Independent film festival with entrants from around the world in an event that is designed to encourage cultural diversity and understanding.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Montreal
Montreal’s patchwork of different neighbourhoods gives a fantastic amount of choice for travellers in search of accommodation,
from the boutique hotels of the Old Port to larger luxury properties elsewhere – there are some top budget options too.
Ritz-Carlton Montreal
H3G 1H6 Montreal
Canada
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Category: Expensive
A European-style pleasure pile, widely seen as the most upmarket hotel in town.
Hotel Nelligan
H2Y 1Z3 Montreal
Canada
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Category: Expensive
A stylish choice, with French cuisine, European elegance and a century’s worth of history.
Auberge Bonaparte
H2Y 2T1 Montreal
Canada
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Category: Moderate
A charming and historic 4-star hotel in Old Montreal.
Parc Suites Hotel
H2X 2H6 Montreal
Canada
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Category: Moderate
Apartment-style suites, well suited to those staying put for a while.
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 22.02.2019 18:00 UTC

sunny
temperature
-1°C
wind speed
15 mph7 days forecast
Saturday
23.02.2019
-1°C / -8°C
Sunday
24.02.2019
4°C /
Monday
25.02.2019
-2°C / -8°C
Tuesday
26.02.2019
-12°C / -16°C
Wednesday
27.02.2019
-11°C / -17°C
Thursday
28.02.2019
-8°C / -15°C
Friday
01.03.2019
-7°C / -18°C
Climate & best time to visit Canada
If you’re planning on skiing or enjoying winter sports, the best time to visit Canada is between December and April, though some resorts open as early as November and extend their seasons as late as June (or even July on Whistler’s glacier). If you want to enjoy the great outdoors without the snow, travel between May and September. Be aware however, that if there’s been heavy snowfall during the winter, some high-altitude hiking trails may be closed well into July. May, June and September are typically cheaper than July and August, but you’ll get the best of the weather in the latter two months.
Summer thunderstorms are common throughout Canada. Occasionally, these may become severe. Tornados also occur throughout Canada, with May to September being prime months. The peak season is June and early July in southern Ontario, Alberta, southeastern Quebec, and a band stretching from southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, through to Thunder Bay. The interior of British Columbia and western New Brunswick are also tornado zones. Earth tremors occur in the western mountains. Forest fires can occur at any time, regardless of the season, particularly in the grasslands and forests of western Canada.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute min | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
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Jan | 12 °C | -32 °C | -5 °C | -12 °C | 75 % | 79 mm | 11 | 3.0 h |
Feb | 10 °C | -33 °C | -3 °C | -11 °C | 76 % | 71 mm | 10 | 3.9 h |
Mar | 25 °C | -28 °C | 2 °C | -4 °C | 71 % | 75 mm | 10 | 5.0 h |
Apr | 30 °C | -17 °C | 10 °C | 2 °C | 63 % | 77 mm | 9 | 5.7 h |
May | 32 °C | -5 °C | 18 °C | 8 °C | 58 % | 75 mm | 9 | 7.1 h |
Jun | 34 °C | 1 °C | 23 °C | 14 °C | 64 % | 87 mm | 10 | 8.0 h |
Jul | 36 °C | 7 °C | 26 °C | 17 °C | 67 % | 93 mm | 10 | 8.5 h |
Aug | 35 °C | 6 °C | 24 °C | 16 °C | 68 % | 92 mm | 9 | 7.7 h |
Sep | 32 °C | 0 °C | 20 °C | 11 °C | 71 % | 87 mm | 9 | 6.0 h |
Oct | 28 °C | -7 °C | 13 °C | 6 °C | 70 % | 79 mm | 9 | 4.5 h |
Nov | 22 °C | -27 °C | 5 °C | 0 °C | 76 % | 93 mm | 12 | 2.3 h |
Dec | 15 °C | -33 °C | -2 °C | -8 °C | 78 % | 91 mm | 13 | 2.5 h |
year | 36 °C | -33 °C | 11 °C | 3 °C | 70 % | 999 mm | 121 | 5.4 h |
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone/Mobile Telephone
Dialing Code: +1
Telephone
Most public telephones charge 50 cents a call, which can be paid with any combination of five-, 10- and 25-cent coins. Public telephones are becoming harder to find, due to the growing popularity of mobile phones. For long-distance calls, telephone cards are available. You can find credit card telephones in larger centres.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good in major urban areas, but spotty in remote locations. Roaming rates can be high, so you should check with your provider before leaving home.
Internet
Available throughout Canada, as are internet cafes (although the latter are not as common as they are in many other countries). You can often find free Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee shops, fast-food outlets and airports.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Montreal
Key Areas
Rue Sainte-Catherine is one of the longest shopping stretches in North America, and other key streets for retail therapy include rue Saint-Denis, avenue Mont-Royal, rue Saint-Paul and boulevard Saint-Laurent. Montreal’s French influence stretches to the city having its own fashion week, so it’s great for clothes shopping.
Markets
The Jean-Talon Market (7070 avenue Henri Julien) is a long-standing farmers’ market in Little Italy, open year round and
serving up everything from cheese to baked goods. Another year-round option is the Atwater Market (138 avenue Atwater), where you can find great fresh produce among striking art deco-style architecture.
Shopping Centres
The most prominent malls in the city include the Eaton Centre (705 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest), the nearby Complexe Les Ailes (677 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest) and the upmarket Les Cours Mont-Royal (1455 rue Peel), where fashion boutiques are the order of the day.
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Handshaking predominates as the normal mode of greeting. Close friends often exchange kisses on the cheeks, particularly in French-speaking areas. Codes of practice for visiting homes are the same as in other Western countries: flowers,
chocolates or a bottle of wine are common gifts for hosts, and dress is generally informal and practical according to climate. It is common for black tie and other required dress to be indicated on invitations. Exclusive clubs and restaurants often require more formal dress. Smoking has been banned in most public areas.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Main emergency number: 911
Food & Drink
Tap water is safe to drink and food safety standards are high. If camping in the backcountry, you should be aware of the risks of giardia, where water in streams or lakes has been contaminated by animal waste. This can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and headaches. Ensure you boil, filter or purify water first; purification tablets are easy to buy in any outdoor equipment store. You should also be aware of the dangers of eating shellfish directly from the sea, which can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, resulting in illness or death. Check locally before you travel.
Other Risks
Summer can bring extremely high temperatures, so you should guard against the problems of heat and sunstroke. Wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn, particularly on days when the widely publicised UV rating is high. (Remember that sunburn can be a risk in winter too, especially if you’re skiing, when the high altitude and reflection from the snow can be a potent combination.) In winter, on the other hand, temperatures can be bitterly cold and frostbite is a real risk; ensure you wear multiple layers and a hat, and cover your face when outdoors.
Rabies is present in animals. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
An outbreak of hepatitis A was reported in Vancouver Island in 2011, but most cases have been confined to one cultural group on the island. Vaccination against hepatitis A is not advised unless you’re visiting the outbreak area.
If walking in tick-infested woodland and brush areas, you should be aware of the risk of Lyme disease. Ensure you cover bare skin (tucking in all clothes), use insect repellent containing DEET and remove any attached ticks using tweezers. The disease is transmitted from the bites of the western blacklegged tick in British Columbia and the blacklegged or deer tick in other parts of Canada. Since 2010, there has been an increased risk in southern Quebec due to newly discovered populations of ticks carrying the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. The first symptom is usually a circular rash, accompanied by fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint pain and swollen lymph nodes. You should seek treatment as soon as possible as symptoms can worsen if left untreated, though fatalities are rare.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Meagher, Tim W.The Montreal General Hospital
1650 Cedar Ave.
suite: D6-237
Montreal (Quebec) H3G 1A4
Canada
Tel. +1-514-934-1934
34141
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.