The Golden Square Mile

A glimpse into the Gilded Age
Noteworthy for: The Golden Square Mile was home to Montreal's richest families during the 19th century.
Word to the wise: Seek out Redpath Crescent for an uninterrupted array of historic homes perched on the side of Mount Royal. The entrance to this elevated street is found on Avenue des Pins West.
A lavish neighborhood between rue Sherbrooke Ouest and the south slopes of Mount Royal, The Golden Square Mile was once the stronghold of Montréal's upper-upper crust. Originally, the rich lived downtown near the ports, but the increasing congestion and pollution drove them out to seek cleaner (and thus healthier) surroundings close to Mount Royal where they built opulent mansions in the late 19th century.
Although many mansions were abandoned during the Great Depression and later demolished to build concrete apartment blocks (those who could afford it upped sticks to more heat efficient houses in neighbouring Westmount), strolling the streets west of McGill University will still allow you some glimpses into Montréal's Gilded Age, when its denizens controlled the majority of Canada's wealth.

There's also some great antique and bespoke gift stores around Rue Sherbrooke, Rue St-Catherine Ouest and Avenue Greene.

For Guidepal's mobile app, click here