For translation purposes from French to English, the title of this blog is: trees, plants and flowers; beetles, spiders, and butterflies; four ecosystems under one roof; and sports, like swimming.
Visiting these four places was the highlight of my travels in Montréal. They are all very conveniently located within walking distance to each other, and they are all a very easy destination from downtown Montréal.
After a half-hour Metro ride, with a one change of trains, I first went to the Jardin Botanique, one of the world’s largest botanical gardens (second in size only to London’s Kew Gardens). I was immediately serenaded by cicadas, smelled the scent of roses, and relaxed by a leisurely day of wandering around an enormous display of the beauty of nature. Contained in 190 acres are 22,000 plant species and cultivars, with miles of paths to explore them all.
Trees, plants, and flowers are colorfully presented in about 30 thematic gardens, such as the rose, aquatic, alpine, and vegetable gardens; and several cultural gardens, such as the Chinese, Japanese, and First Nations gardens. Within each of the cultural gardens are specific displays such as Bonsai in the Japanese garden, and arts and crafts in the First Nations garden. In addition, ten exhibition greenhouses host plants from around the world.
Ponds and lakes containing water lilies, lily pads, and lotus flowers add to the beauty of the gardens. While there is a restaurant in the area, I would highly recommend a picnic on one of the designated grassy areas. At one point during my visit, I sat on a rock by one of the lakes, and was accompanied by a turtle. I had my picnic lunch on a park bench overlooking a lake. Quite peaceful.
With all this beauty around, the Jardin Botanique is a place “for solitary meditation, a lover’s tryst, a guided tour, or a family rally.” I wondered though, how many gardeners and botanists work here to keep up its beauty?
After several hours strolling around, I then went to the Insectarium, which is right in the gardens. I was immediately entranced by the quantity of amazing colors of the butterflies, dragonflies, moths, and beetles, and yes, I was a bit squeamish by the tarantulas, spiders, centipedes, and scorpions. The Insectarium contains 144,000 naturalized insect and arthropod specimens from around the globe, and about 100 live species (nicely behind glass).
This museum organizes all these bugs in various ways, such as by regions of the world; by insects that are out during the morning, the daytime, or at night; and by species. There were lots of kids around loving this place, and the interactive displays and educational information intrigues children and adults alike. I myself was truly fascinated at how many colorful, beautiful bugs (yes, even the spiders) there are in this world. Each one was unique, and many were intricately painted like artwork.
After trees and plants and flowers, and beetles and spiders and butterflies, then it was time for me to visit four distinct ecosystems of four parts of the world, and its animals and birds and fish. All contained under one roof, and a short walk from the Jardin Botanique and the Insectarium, the Biodȏme is home to over 4,000 animals from 225 different species.
You can travel from the hot and humid Tropical Rainforest of the Americas, to the cooler Laurentian Maple Forest, to a saltwater basin of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and all the way to the Sub-Polar Regions of the Americas in a matter of around an hour. Or more if you want to linger in each region a bit longer. You can see macaws, sloths, tamarins, and bats. You can watch tortoises, ibises, frogs, and anacondas. Stingrays, catfish, angelfish, and piranhas. Porcupines, warblers, lynx, and beavers. Ducks, herons, yellowlegs, and juncos. Puffins and penguins. The list goes on. Another great place for kids and adults alike.
After trees and plants and flowers, and beetles and spiders and butterflies, and animals and birds and fish, my last stop of my very full, very peaceful, very educational day was for sports, at the Parc Olympique, home of the 1976 Stade Olympique, surrounded by flags from around the world.
Here I saw the very large swimming pool, and one can take a guided tour, and ride up the world’s tallest inclined tower to look at a panoramic view of Montréal from the top. There is also a wonderful display of the Olympic posters over the decades.
As I rode the Metro back to Montréal I realized that in one day’s time, visiting the Jardin Botanique, Insectarium, Biodȏme, and the Parc Olympique is truly a great way to spend a day in Montréal for anyone.
Sweet (and back-to-nature) Travels!
This trip was provided to me courtesy of Montréal Tourism, Québec City Tourism, and VIA Rail Canada, which brought me from Montréal to Québec City (links to all below).
Related blogs:
Montréal and Québec City: Watching the world go by on on VIA Rail Canada.
Montréal: Endless, Nonstop, and Unlimited…In a Good Way (Part One)
Montréal: Endless, Nonstop, and Unlimited…In a Good Way (Part Two)
Québec City: Simply The Best
Québec City: Île d’Orléans
Québec City: Érico Choco-Musée
Travel Information:
Jardin Botanique
Insectarium
Biodȏme
Parc Olympique
General Travel Information:
VIA Rail Canada
Québec City and Area
Tourisme Québec
Bonjour Québec
Tourisme-Montréal