Centred around St. Catherine Street East, Montreal’s Gay Village is one of the city’s most eclectic neighbourhoods. It’s fabulous, to say the least, with a colourful string of cafes, bars and nightclubs standing alongside antique stores, clothing boutiques and trendy B&Bs.

Unsurprisingly, the Gay Village is the beating heart of Montreal’s LGBT community. It steps up as one of the largest gay villages in North America and throws a serious party during the weeklong Pride Montréal celebrations. During summer the main drag is transformed into a pedestrian only zone, which creates a fantastic al fresco atmosphere. For a full frontal Gay Village experience, snag tickets to a drag show.

Thanks to its central location, the Gay Village is easy to access by foot and public transport. It’s a short 25-minute stroll from Old Montreal, and just steps from Parc La Fontaine. Beaudry is the closest metro station, proudly decorated in rainbow colours.

As well as being a mecca for Montreal’s gay LGBT community, the Gay Village is also brimming with history. It’s home to some of Montreal’s best Art Deco architecture, as well as neo-Gothic monuments like the magnificent Saint-Pierre-Apôtre church. Built in 1851, its Chapel of Hope now houses a special candle that burns in memory of AIDS victims.