CANADA EAST - Ontario and Quebec by Train: Toronto to Montreal

Standing on the shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is not afraid to show off its wealth: its skyline juts with shining skyscrapers, under the futurist steeple of the CN Tower.

We travel along the entire north coast of Lake Ontario, and follow the course of the St. Lawrence. The great river offers remarkable views, particularly in the 1000 Islands region. Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, stands between the British identity of Toronto and the French heritage of Montreal – both physically and historically. It’s one of the most unique cities in the country. The seat of the Canadian Parliament and a cultural centre of importance, Ottawa is a pleasant town, brimming with parks.

Standing in a wonderfully panoramic location on Cap Diamant, overlooking the Saint Lawrence, Québec is the city with the oldest tradition in Canada. It’s also the only Northern American city that still boasts walls, bastions and buttresses, as well as many churches and convents, thus deserving the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Québec takes pride in its deeply-rooted French tradition.

The journey from Quebec City to Montreal offers an experience through the beautiful Quebec countryside. Along Autoroute 20 or Autoroute 40, the main highways linking the two cities, we pass through various landscapes, from green hills to open plains, with the St. Lawrence River accompanying much of the journey. Arriving in Montréal, the difference between the two cities is striking: so much Quebec is tied to its religious and military past, so much Montréal appears international, dynamic and progressive. The second biggest city in Canada, Montréal stands exactly between Europe's western coast and Vancouver, and it is a unique embodiment of both sides. Two thirds of its inhabitants have French origins; as for the rest, it's an exceptional melting pot of different people – English, Chinese, Italian, Greek, South American, Eastern European and Caribbean. This variety is shown especially in Montréal’s cuisine and its countless folklore celebration, making it one of the liveliest cities in Canada.