How French is Montréal?

I finally made it to Montreal, Quebec, Canada - and it’s my very first time in the French-speaking regions of this country!!! In this video, I take you around town to find out exactly how “French” it is here.

Hint: it’s pretty French

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WHO AM I?
My name is Drew Binsky and I've been to all 197 countries in the world. I make travel videos about people, culture, and anything else I find interesting on the road. My ultimate goal is to inspire you to travel far and wide because our planet is beautiful!

MORE ABOUT ME:

[MoreTravelsWithDrewBinsky]

Have you ever been to Montreal? Would love to hear your thoughts on the city! Comment below :)

[TheNewTravel]

Welcome to Montréal! To answer your question, the vast majority of Québec's population speaks French as their first language, but will be quick to point out that they are not French. They consider themselves as different as the USA would be from Great Britain. Enjoy the city :)

[johnstevens]

English-speaking people always seem a bit confused with this, but French is an international language spoken in different countries and continents.

Not everyone who speaks it is French. The term generally used for French speakers is francophone. People who speak French in Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Congo, Senegal or somewhere else often do not have any particular ties with France other than being colonized or influenced by them.

Historically, many people from Quebec, where Montreal is located descend from French settlers, but they developed their own identity, similar to the US with England.

In short, they are francophone or French speaking, not French.

[dextervegas]

Listening to that background music with French accordeon on images of Montreal because French is the official language is like watching a video of New York with bagpipe background music because the official language in New York is English.

[aokigaharakomorebi]

Really cool to see you here, Drew! Montreal is a complicated and diverse place. I am Irish-Canadian, born and raised in Montreal. My family has been in Quebec since the 1700s. I was educated in English here and only learned French at 14 but am now completely bilingual to the point you cannot tell I am Anglophone when I speak French. Just thought I'd give another perspective on Montreal. Glad you had a good time here, I wouldn't have expected anything less!

[simonledoux]

Are you going to Quebec City? It is amazing and it will really remind you of being in a small town in France. You will hear less English there. Its only 3 hours from Montreal and so worth going. You will be impressed. I have a feeling you will include it on this Canadian tour.

[moniquedore]

I am a native french from Montreal and you did a great job showing the city and explaining things! your videos are always so pleasant and educating too watch

[Erin-S]

THANK YOU for talking about indigenous peoples. We're so rarely discussed. I hope you can dive deeper into the indigenous cultures of this land.

[cluelesspuppyowner]

As a native Montrealer, I’m so happy that travel vloggers like you and others, are finally showing off Montreal. Vancouver and Toronto are amazing, but Montreal is just so unique. A little bit of France within a vast English country. Merci et bienvenue.

[PotatoToon]

Nice fact: The reason why the skyscrapers are not taller is because of the law that prohibits buildings from being taller than the Mont Royal height (232 meters) so you can enjoy the view of the city.

[danielwallen]

I Visited Montréal in 2013, Céline Dion was doing a live show in Québec at Plains of Abraham, the concert was huge like more than +40K of attendees I believe, anyway we stayed there for 12 days and it's was a highlighting of my life, I liked Montréal so much from the clean green areas to the fascinating public transportation system.
I can't wait to be there again.

[LauraDBM]

So cool you visited here, Drew! Although you went to all chain restaurants (besides the bakery). Would definitely be cool to check out some real Montreal gems to properly see the city!

[merrillundgren]

We just finished a 17 day trip to Canada: Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec. If you want to blow your (French) mind, go to Quebec City!!!! I loved speaking the limited French I have! Bonne Journée!

[DaWoogieMonster]

There's actually a Mohawk (Kanienkehaka) reservation on the south shore, right off the island of Montreal. It's literally a 20 minute drive from Downtown Montreal that many people don't know about. Some people live nearly their whole lives in the city and not know how close the reservation is. Great video.

[murlough]

This may be the first place I've seen you do a video on where I've actually been before you! My wife and I visited Montréal in 2013 as part of a larger road trip starting in New York City, going up through Vermont to Montréal and Québec City, then back down through Maine to Acadia National Park and finally Boston. First time on the East Coast of the U.S. for both of us (we live in L.A.), but the third time in Canada (after visiting Vancouver/Victoria and Calgary/Banff on previous trips). Canada's the only country outside of the U.S. that either of us have ever been to, so for us, this was the most European place we'd ever experienced, and the first time traveling somewhere the majority language spoken was not English (though as you observed, you can get by fine in English in places frequented by tourists). We really enjoyed the Pointe-à-Callière museum, which explained Montréal's history and had an underground exhibit showing parts of the old street level from when the city was much younger. The Montréal Botanical Garden was mind-blowing - amazing hedge sculptures, and since we were there in September, their Chinese Garden was all lit up with lanterns for the harvest season, which made it a stunning sight as the sun went down. Walking through the city's Chinatown and hearing folks speak in a mixture of Chinese, Vietnamese, and French was pretty fascinating too - we live in a part of suburban L.A. that has seen a lot of immigration from Asia in recent decades, so aside from the French, that was actually a reminder of home. There's definitely a lot more to do in Montréal, and I'd love to go back someday!

[rebbiakiva]

You should definitely try to see the Laurentides, Québec City, Charlevoix and Sagueney regions while there.

[AlCafacci]

Since it's your first time in Montreal, you should've got a guide to show you the best places of city. Also, Montreal is a touristic city si it would be better if you visit during the high season(summer)

[zeeshawnali]

Drew if you want to visit unique places in Canada you must visit Newfoundland. The accents there are on a whole different level.

[CompletedReview]

I went to McGill and lived in montreal for four years. When I say my college town was a special place I mean something a bit different than when most people talk about campus. Montreal truly is a magical city. Really cool blend of North America and French influences that really exists nowhere else in the same way.

[veeo]

I was born in Quebec and I lived most of my life in Rural Quebec and 3 years in Montreal. Montreal is the most bilingual part of the province because it's the biggest city, it has big businesses with business people and there are historically anglophones who established there after the conquest in the 1700s. Outside of Montreal, it's very rare to hear English. In the village where I grew up, only a minority are bilingual. Most don't speak any English. I had to learn English through US TV and travel.