Local Voices: Guidatour

Montreal is renowned for its European charm, vibrant festivals, and dynamic culinary scene — but it’s also a city with a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. From quaint neighbourhood cafés to historic markets and immersive city tours, there’s no shortage of ways to uncover the heart and soul of this iconic Canadian city.

Fresh Tracks Canada spoke to Angèle Vermette, President at Guidatour, a tour company with professional guides who help you explore the best of Montreal. Angèle shared why you should take a guided tour, the best tour times, foods to try, and tips for making the most out of your visit.

What’s one thing most people don't know about your tours?

Angèle Vermette (AV): What people don't know is that you need to have a license to become a tour guide in Montreal. We are really proud at Guidatour to only hire licensed guides. All of our guides are certified, so they have been to school, they have studied, and they have taken exams. You really need to do the official process and to have an official city license.

What makes your tour experiences different from anywhere else?

AV: Our aim is 100% client satisfaction. We want to have passionate people on our team so that our clients can have great experiences. We're actually going to be celebrating our 40th birthday this year and client satisfaction has always been the main goal - all of my employees share that same goal too. If clients don’t have an excellent experience, we're always going to do some great follow-ups with them.

What is the best time to take a tour and why?

AV: I love it when people do early morning tours, especially from 8 to 10am in Old Montreal. It's amazing. There is nobody there, which means you're going to get beautiful photos. You’ll also experience authentic Old Montreal, as there will be people commuting to work. While it's a little bit easier to take a tour from May to October when the weather is warmer, you can take a tour anytime, even in January. It's great to walk outside, so don't be scared to take a tour even if you're there in winter.

What is one thing that visitors should bring with them when doing a tour?

AV: Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since there's some cobblestones in Old Montreal. Also, check the weather — I like to say that there's not really bad weather, there's only bad clothing. Never skip on doing a tour because the weather is uncertain or there's some rain in the forecast. When it's raining, the groups are much smaller, and the tour feels more memorable. I always remember places I've been to when it was raining and they stick out in my mind more because it was a unique experience.

Can you share a memorable or unique guest experience?

AV: The most common tours that we do are our walking tours, but we also do scavenger hunts. One time, a gentleman asked to have a private scavenger hunt and he wanted to customize it because at the end, he was going to propose to his girlfriend! It was all so secretive and the proposal was really cute – it happened on the stairs of City Hall and there was a photographer with them to capture the moment. It was really memorable to be able to help with that special moment.

What are some tips for first time visitors to make the most out of their visit?

AV: Doing a tour at the beginning of your trip is always a good idea. That way, you can get some insider tips and suggestions on other things to do in Monreal from your guide. Also, plan a little, but also be flexible. If you don’t plan at all, you might miss out on something. However, if you plan out every minute and your tour guide suggests some activities to do, you might not be able to have time to do them because your schedule is too tight.

Another tip is that Montreal is a very walkable city. Take your time, do ride the subway – it’s safe and enjoyable, but when you have small distances to go, just walk and you can see a bit more of the city that way.

What is a hidden gem in Montreal that most tourists don't know about?

AV: While there are a lot of great areas in the city, Old Montreal is my favorite area. A lot of people don't go to the west part of Old Montreal very often, but here you’ll find the World Trade Center. Inside, there’s a beautiful sculpture and fountain, and it’s in an old alleyway that they covered with glass. It's not really a hidden gem, but I feel like a lot of people miss out on it because they're focused on visiting popular attractions like the Basilica and Jaques-Cartier Place. 

What do you think the best Canadian souvenir is?

AV: Most importantly, your pictures and memories, however there are a lot of cute souvenirs you could bring back from your visit. In Montreal we see a lot of orange construction cones everywhere and people laugh because they say everything's always under construction. You can find shops where they sell trinkets, like socks with orange cones or cute orange cone earrings. There’s even an Instagram account with a social media character named Ponto, and he’s a cartoon character of an orange cone! 

What is one local dish everyone should try when they're in Montreal?

AV:  Montreal bagels! They're really, really good. There are two great place for fresh Montreal bagels — one place is St-Viateur Bagels and the other is Fairmount Bagels. They both have a few locations but the original Fairmount Bagels shop is in the Mile End, and they've been running for more than 60 years. They’re open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you can see them making the bagels in the ovens so they’re hot and fresh. Most people are on a different team – I’m on the St-Viateur Bagels Team! Something that could be fun when you visit is trying both and deciding what Montreal bagel team you are on.

Also, in the province of Quebec, there is of course classic poutine. It’s a dish that is truly local and locals eat it regularly. In my house we have poutine nights, so it's not just a dish for tourists. There’s a great place for poutine called La Banquise and they have over 30 different kinds of poutines. They have the classic one with fries, cheese curds and gravy, but if you want to try different variations, they have a Mexican one, one with hot dog slices or one with tons of meat or veggies. It's an authentic poutine spot and people have been going there for many years. Most of the time there’s a line up, even if it’s cold outside!

Feeling inspired to visit Montreal? Many of our trips include a stop in this charming city, like our Classic Eastern Canada by Train trip. Learn more about our Eastern Canada train tours or schedule a call with one or our Canadian Insiders.