A perfect mix of bobos, artists, newly-arrived residents, students, little families and young professionals (it’s not surprising that it is the place with the most roommates and people between the ages of 25 and 34!); the community of La Petite-Patrie forms an incongruous but tightly woven whole
Bordered by Hutchison, Jean-Talon and D’Iberville Street as well as the Canadian Pacific Railway, the area also known as the ‘Heart of the Island’, is a real little village of its own; everything is accessible within a short walk.
As for the lazier kind of people, they can rely on the four subway stations (Jean-Talon, Beaubien, Rosemont and Fabre – on the orange and blue lines). Multiple bus routes and dozens of bixi stations serve the borough. Also, the magnificent des Carrières path parallel to the Canadian Pacific Railway offers a glimpse of the industrial remnants of the neighbourhood, while the paths on Boyer and Saint-Dominique Street allow for an easy access downtown.
When you think La Petite-Patrie, Plaza Saint-Hubert automatically comes to mind – and more precisely its legendary side walk marquee! Considered for a long time the paradise of the kitsch and the tacky or the wedding dress kingdom, this commercial artery with its famous parklets (parking spaces converged into restaurant terraces) and its trendy shops, is slowly beginning to carve itself a prominent place among the hottest Montreal destinations. You are looking for something? The Plaza has it!
Another legendary institution of the neighbourhood: the Jean Talon Market. More than just a simple grocery store, the market offers a real sensory experience rich in colors, aromas and flavors! Give in to temptation and pick up a baguette and some cheese or a fruit basket, and then grab a seat in Shamrock Square – which is directly connected to the market and where you can find some swings and terraces – to watch the urban fauna in action.
It is also impossible not to mention the Beaubien Movie Theater, one of the last independent cinemas of Montreal along with Excentris and Parc. You can forget about the big American blockbusters there; this theater offers some cinematographic wonders and finds from the four corners of the earth. Despite being technologically advanced, its retro and cozy feel lends it a distinctive charm. Props to its summer outdoor movie screenings at Molson Park!
For those who choose a book over a film, you can find shelter by the fire at the Marc-Favreau Library. Inaugurated in 2013, it offers all the recent publications on multimedia technologies.
The various neighbourhoods
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Little Italy
Are you on a quest to find the best pizza in town? You can find it in Little Italy… All the restaurants can testify to that! You can also discover the delis, the famous Jean-Talon Market and the cafés with their typical Italian flare and savor a cappuccino while watching a soccer match. In short, your taste buds will be satiated!
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Marconi-Alexandra
Also known as ‘Mile Ex’ or ‘the architects’ neighbourhood’, the area at the northern edge of the railway is booming. It is home to an eclectic community, primarily composed of artists and designers, established in old industrial buildings of Montreal. A multitude of pubs and restaurants energizes the long abandoned spot, while the imminent arrival of the Westmount campus will make of it a students’ heaven.
