# We're headed to Montreal and speak no French. Problem? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 6, 2005, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271 "2005-07-06T12:37:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/41 "2005-07-08T03:42:48Z")
> [@Spavined Gelding](#): > > Then who were those guys? Mounties? Probably. The Mounties (RCMP - Royal Canadian Mounted Police) are an evolution of the NWMP. The _North West_ Mounted Police weren’t particularly known for their accomplishments in Quebec. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/42 "2005-07-08T03:51:10Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > Thanks so much for all the replies, recommendations and advice. You guys are great. Except for you. And you. And you’re on the fence. But the rest of you are great. > > I’d arrange to meet some of you, but el hubbo wants us to just enjoy each other and not commit to meeting other people. > > matt\_mcl, what time does the parade start? Eight PM. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/43 "2005-07-08T04:22:15Z")
I know nothing of French or Canada, but I can help you with the stick name, which should be le baton. My article is probably wrong, I just know Baton Rouge is named Red Stick after something weird. Sorry I can’t be of more assistance! ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/44 "2005-07-08T05:07:44Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Say what? I live in Toronto, and every cab driver I’ve ever encountered has spoken English. > > Mind you, sometimes they have an accent, but so do half the other people I deal with… Its an exageration , but not by much. I grew up in Toronto , so I have used a variety of cab companys over the years. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/45 "2005-07-08T07:47:34Z")
When I was in Montreal many years ago (1998), there were a couple of places that did walking tours of the city. They had desks in the Tourist Information building. The one I took was fun, with a nice walk through the city and the guide pointing out historical and architectural parts of the city. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/46 "2005-07-08T08:02:55Z")
If you get to the Old Town, down by the river, plan a dinner at Modavie on rue St-Paul. Great informal atmosphere, impeccable French cooking (especially lamb), fantastic wine list, nightly jazz (no cover), and very very nice people. (They ought to send a few Québecoises to Paris as waitresses and show 'em how it’s _really_ done.) ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/47 "2005-07-08T12:46:18Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > Eight PM. It looks like we’re going to miss it. I should be back in my house by 8 on Monday. Thanks for the suggestion, Beware of Doug. We definitely want to go to a French restaurant that serves _foie gras_. Do you know if that is on their menu? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/48 "2005-07-08T13:35:11Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > It looks like we’re going to miss it. I should be back in my house by 8 on Monday. > > Thanks for the suggestion, Beware of Doug. We definitely want to go to a French restaurant that serves _foie gras_. Do you know if that is on their menu? Wide selections of pate are available at the Atwater Market, recommended above. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/49 "2005-07-08T13:39:12Z")
Yum. I think we’re going to go there the first day we get there. Our flight gets in pretty early and the hotel room won’t be available until the afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/50 "2005-07-08T14:44:56Z")
\*Foie Gras \* for breakfast?.. Make sure you get it with a bagel. Bagels are another Montreal specialty. Trust me. Have some Montreal bagels. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/51 "2005-07-08T22:59:31Z")
Others have recommended the traditional attractions. But if you’re looking for something different, go to the Argo Bookstore on St Catherine. I was there yesterday, and I swear to God, the guy who works there has the biggest nose I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/52 "2005-07-09T00:50:03Z")
I like bookstores and I really want to see the big schnoz. But how do I know if this guy works on weekends? It’s not as if I can call and ask if the dude sportin’ a big honker’s on duty or not. …Although… Maybe if I learn to ask in _French_ I can make it sound all classy-like. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/53 "2005-07-09T03:06:46Z")
All I can say is that it’s worth the trip. Seriously, this thing was huge. And lumpy. And when he moved it wobbled. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/54 "2005-07-12T16:03:05Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > Thanks for the suggestion, Beware of Doug. We definitely want to go to a French restaurant that serves _foie gras_. Do you know if that is on their menu? I seem to recall it. However, Modavie isn’t a _strictly_ French place; it maintains a fairly varied, but strongly French-flavored menu. For old-school French cooking you’ll want Bonaparte, across the old town, also excellent. I found it difficult to go too far wrong eating in Montreal. Even simple places take pride in their food. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271/55 "2005-07-12T16:32:56Z")
Awesome, thanks. Incidently, take a look at [the camera we bought](http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/digitalZ1Overview.jsp) for our trip, folks. It’s super light, super small and super cool! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-headed-to-montreal-and-speak-no-french-problem/311271.md?page=2)