Luxury Experience Created by: Edward F. Nesta Montreal, Canada - BRP Powersports Turns the City into a Playground

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1 Montreal, Canada - BRP Powersports Turns the City into a Playground Montréal, Canadahas architecture, culture, and cuisine, but this time I visited for adventure, speed, and excitement on the Wow' toys from BRPmakers of Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Evinrude androtax motors, and the Can-Am all terrain Side-By-Side, ATV,andSpyder Roadster powersports toys'.invited to participate in Club BRP (which should stand for Best Ride Possible), I ventured to Montréal to quench my thirst for speed, power, and excitement, I was not disappointed. In July 2011, I packed my racing gloves, special racing sunglasses, and a lot of enthusiasm as I ventured to Montréal, in the province of Québec, Canada to partake in the largest gathering of enthusiasts ever by Club BRP. It was just weeks after the Grand Prix du Canada in Montréal, and the City opened its doors to another tier of driver wannabes, the casual but eager everyday consumer whose hunger for speed and excitement may dwarf that of the professional drivers. If you do not believe me, then just attend a motorcycle rally, or a future Club BRP, and you will know what I mean. Where to Stay Fairmont The Queen Elizabethis an impressive landmark hotel that opened in 1958 and has been newly renovated. The luxury hotel has 1,037 rooms (100 are suites) and all of the bells and whistles that one has come to expect from the Fairmont brand. Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, throughout the years has, and continues to be, the place for dignitaries, heads-of-state, celebrities, and discerning travelers. The hotel gained additional notoriety when John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their famous "bed-in" in 1969 and wrote and recorded the song, Give Peace a Chance, during their stay in Suite Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth The gourmand traveler will appreciate the hotel's restaurants, The Beaver Club, "known as one of the best restaurants in the country", Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant known for its Mediterranean cuisine, Les Voyageurs Bar and Lounge, and the Boutique Gourmandise, The Beaver Club's new gourmet food boutique. In addition, the Les Voyageurs Bar Lounge features live Jazz every Thursday at 9:00pm. Page 1 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

2 Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Lobby During my stay, I had an excellent dinner at Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant. The restaurant is located on two levels and has a large bar that also serves food and is the perfect stop while you are waiting for your table. This is definitely a restaurant with a view where you can sit and overlook the landmark, Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, as well as downtown Montréal, while enjoying your dinner or cocktail. Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant Business travelers can keep current with in-room computer dataport, wireless high-speed internet access, working desk with halogen lamp, and office supplies. The hotel also has a business center, and has wireless high speed internet access throughout the hotel. Other amenities include the Health Club & Spa with 24-hour gym and an indoor pool open from 6:00 am for early risers, and until 10:00 pm, for those who enjoy a late night swim. Page 2 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

3 Swimming Pool The hotel is centrally located and just a short walk to the Palais des Congrès de Montréal Convention Centre, and the famous Crescent Street that becomes the place to be when the Formula One Teams descend on Montréal for the Grand Prix du Canada held at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. In addition, the hotel is just a short walk to the Vieux-Port (Old Port) and Vieux- Montréal (Old Montréal). With its central location and excellent amenities and services, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth will appeal to leisure as well as business travelers. For information on the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, please visit the website: Read about Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in the Hotels and Resorts section, about their restaurant, Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant in the Restaurants section, and in the Chefs' Recipes section where Executive Chef Alain Pignard shares a few of his recipes for a delicious taste of Montréal. Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth 900 boul. René-Lévesque West Montréal, Québec H3B 4A5 Canada Telephone: Toll-Free: (US and Canada) Toll-Free: queenelizabeth.hotel@fairmont.com Website: Adventures With an eye on a different type of trip to Montréal, I was excited to be a member of Club BRP and to learn about and drive their extensive line of powersports equipment and for the kid in all of us, powersports toys. Club BRP set up an elaborate Playground near Vieux-Port (Old Port) where they definitely came prepared to WOW the participants, and they did. In one area of the Playground, they had their extensive line of watercrafts which included the Sea-Doo and motorcrafts powered by Rotax engines, and they did not just come with a couple of Sea-Doos or motorcraft, but with enough to keep a good size group feeling the speed as they each buzzed the water surface with their powersport toy of choice. Page 3 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

4 Edward Getting Ready In another area of the Playground, they had a dozen Cam-Am Spyder Roadsters, which are a unique vehicle with two wheels in the front and a single wheel in the rear that provides an exhilarating ride. The Roadsters waited patiently to be opened up on either the closed course circuit or on the open road if you had an approved motorcycle license from your respective country. There was a nice selection of the Roadster Touring (RT) as well as the Roadster Sport (RS and RS-S) machines ready for my selection, and of course, I selected the RS-S edition. What a Ride (WOW!) Just a short walk from where the Can-Am Spyder Roadsters awaited, were the other all terrain Can-Am products, the Outlander ATVs and the Commander X Side-by-Sides, with a mix of the larger powerful machines such as the 800cc and 1000cc ATV's. There was a makeshift course set up for us to put the machines through their paces; the course featured large dirt jumps, stretches of fallen' tree trunks to run over, and other goodies to deal with and we were encouraged to put the machines to the test. Page 4 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

5 Taking the Outlander Out for a Ride Being a predominantly off-road kind of person, I opted to spend my allotted time putting the Can-Am line of products through their paces while getting that burst of adrenaline going; I was never disappointed with any of the machines. My favorite was definitely the Can-Am Spyder RS-S that was as exhilarating as any of the racing machines that I have driven, and I have raced a few nice machines (i.e. shifter carts, open wheel Formula Fords, race ready Ford STSs, Porsches, and Ford Mustangs). Warming Up on the Off-Road Course For information on BRP, please visit their website: To view videos of the Club BRP event in Montreal, Canada July 2011: Club BRP Montreal Canada. Read about the Driving BRP Powersports Equipment in Montreal, Canada in the Adventures section. BRP Corporate Headquarters 726 Saint-Joseph Street Valcourt, Québec J0E 2L0 Canada Telephone: Fax: clubbrp@brp.com Website: Sightseeing Page 5 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

6 In addition to my powersports adventures, I did take time to walk around the beautiful city of Montréal to admire the splendid architecture and experience many of its famous sights. I started with a visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal (Museum of Fine Arts), which opened in 1912, and has an impressive permanent collection, as well diverse temporary exhibits. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal is open Tuesday from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, Wednesday - Friday from 11:00 am - 9:00 pm, Saturday - Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, and is closed on Monday. Admission: Free with the exception of temporary exhibits. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal , rue Sherbrooke Ouest Montréal, Québec H3G 1H9 Canada Telephone: Website: I also visited the Musée de BMO Groupe Financier, housed in the Bank, which was built in 1847 in the neo-classical style. Small, yet interesting, the museum had old passbooks on display, a selection of currency, and other historical artifacts. Musée de BMO Groupe Financier The Musée de BMO Groupe Financier is open Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and is closed during non-banking hours. Admission is free. Musée de BMO Groupe Financier 119, rue Saint-Jacques Ouest Montréal, Québec H2Y 1N9 Page 6 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

7 Canada Telephone: Fax: Website: Crossing rue Saint-Jacques through the park, I went to the magnificent Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal (Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal)constructed between the years in the Gothic Revival style that is just a bit smaller than Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York to give a reference point as to its size. Inside - Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal A few of the many noteworthy details of the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal are the twin towers, the 10-bell carillon, the pulpit, the impressive stained glass windows, the altar, and the organs. Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal There is an admission fee that was introduced in 1999 to help defray the costs of conserving and restoring the building. No contribution is required, however, to attend mass, participate in other religious services or for personal prayer. Admission: Adults (18+): $5, Children (7-17): $4, Children (6 and under): Free. The church is open for prayer daily from 7:30 am. Out of consideration for those taking part in religious worship, there are no guided tours between 4:00 pm on Saturday and 12:30 pm on Sunday afternoon. The church is open daily to visitors from Monday - Friday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Saturday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm. Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal 424, rue Saint-Sulpice Page 7 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

8 Montréal, Québec H2Y 2V5 Canada Telephone: Fax: Website: Architecturally, the landscape of the city is a fascinating and eclectic mix of contemporary and historic buildings. One of the more interesting contemporary buildings is the Palais de Congrés de Montréal with its colorful façade. Nicknamed the "lifesaver building," it takes up an entire block and runs between Saint-Antoine and Av. Viger. I had the opportunity to experience the Palais de Congrés de Montréal as it roared to life when BRPheld their opening night ceremony there and introduced the audience to their extensive line of powersports toys. The BRP Team delivered the WOW as they drove select vehicles across the stage and between the rows of the audience; it was a spectacular evening, and it whet my appetite to grab the handlebars of a Can-Am Spyder RS, or a steering wheel of an ATV or Side-by-Side and take-off for an exhilarating ride through the streets of Montréal. Palais de Congrés de Montréal Art and sculpture abounds in Montréal, and directly across the street from the Palais de Congrés de Montréal is Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, which features the artist Jean-Paul-Riopelle's large-scale sculpture and fountain, La Joute. Palace Jean-Paul-Riopelle I also visited the interesting Musée d'art Contemporain (Contemporary Art Museum)and took a stroll in their peaceful Sculpture Garden. Page 8 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

9 Musée d'art Contemporain The Musée d'art Contemporain is open Tuesday - Sunday from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm, and Wednesday from 11:00 am - 9:00 pm. The museum is closed Mondays, with the exception of public holidays. Admission: Adults: $ Seniors (60+): $8.00, Students (30 and under with Student ID): $6.00, Family: (maximum 4 persons including at least 1 adult with adolescents aged 12 to 17): $20.00, Children under 12 and members: Free admission every Wednesday evenings from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Musée d'art Contemporain 185, rue Saint-Catherine Ouest Montréal, Québec H2X 3X5 Canada Telephone: info@macm.org Website: Venturing outside of Montréal, I drove up to Valcourt, Quebec, which was a short 90-minute ride to visit the J. Armand Bombardier Museum. The museum is a "must-see" for powersports enthusiasts, and especially for winter sports fans who appreciate the fine craftsmanship combined with power that equals the legendary Ski-Doo; as the museum takes the visitor back to the beginning and all the way through to the present. J. Armand Bombardier Museum The tour is a look at one man's dream to "invent a little machine that will float on snow," and J. Armand Bombardier did that and more. At age 15 Armand created his first machine "that floated on snow", alas it had an extremely large wooden propeller to create the thrust to move the machine, and it was deemed a success but also dangerous. Page 9 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

10 Early Ski-Doo This little bump on the snow did not slow Armand down as a few years later he opened his own shop in his garage and started to design the legendary Ski-Doo. A side note is that the original name was Ski-Dog, but due to a typo by a local newspaper who printed the name as Ski-Doo, the name we all know so well was born. The original garage, where it all started, still stands and is an integral part of the museum and the tour. J. Armand Bombardier Garage Where it All Started There are actors who take you through the time in period clothing with period props as they explain the challenges and success of Armand Bombardier. One of the more fascinating sections is when they talk about the revolutionary invention of the sprocket wheel/track system that allowed the machine to create traction on snow. The museum also had one of the original multi-person carriers called the B12 that made Armand Bombardier an internationally star as he sold the vehicles to winter destinations around the world. Page 10 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

11 B12 - The First Multi-Person Carrier on Snow Inside the B12 Across the street from the museum is the home of BRP and the factory where they assemble the Can-Am Spyder Roadster, Sea-Doo, and Ski-Doo. A tremendous amount of care, passion, loyalty, and pride goes into the assembly of each machine at this facility. The town of Valcourt is quaint and progressive; at any time, you may hear the familiar roar of a Can-Am Spyder RS, RS-S, or RT cruising by. There are factory tours available in addition to the Museum tour. Design Center - Always Pushing the Envelope Near the museum, is the home of J. Armand Bombardier, and although not open to the public for tours, the exterior and surrounding gardens are exquisite and worth a stroll by while visiting the J. Armand Bombardier Museum. Home of J. Armand Bombardier Page 11 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

12 The J. Armand Bombardier Museum and Factory Tours are available Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, and during the Summer Season (May 1 through Labor Day) daily from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; guided tours offered to groups upon request. Admission is charged. Museum Admission: Adults $7.00, Seniors and Students: $5.00, Families $15.00, children (under 5): free; there are special group rates available. Factory Tour Admission: Adults and Seniors: $12.00, Students (over 14): $5.00. Building a Can-Am Sypder Computer Testing a Can-Am Sypder J. Armand Bombardier Museum 1001 avenue J.-A.-Bombardier Valcourt (Québec) J0E 2L0 Canada Telephone: info@museebombardier.com Website: Where to Dine Montréal offers an expansive selection of excellent restaurants that range from fine dining experiences to Page 12 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

13 more casual venues. Having been in Montréal on several occasions, I enjoyed adding to my restaurant portfolio and experiencing both sides of the restaurant equation. Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurantlocated at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel, is a downtown favorite and focuses on Mediterranean cuisine, grilled meat, and fresh fish, and has a bistro ambience. Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant Highlights of my dinner included the Thon blanc en carpaccio à l'orientale et tartare de saumon à l'huile de tomate séchée en duo (Oriental style white tuna carpaccio and salmon tartare with sun-dried tomato oil); and the Suprême d'omble chevalier aux tomates fraîches et avocat, vinaigrette d'olives noires (Grilled fillet of arctic char with fresh tomatoes and avocado, black olives vinaigrette). Grilled Fillet of Arctic Char Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 am until 11:00 pm, on Saturday from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm, with Saturday breakfast buffet served from 7:00 am until 2:00 pm, and on Sunday from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm with Sunday breakfast served from 7:00 am until 10:30 am, and Sunday brunch served from 11:30 am until 3:00 pm. Afternoon Tea & Kaffee Klatsch is offered from Monday through Saturday from 2:30 pm until 6:00 pm and on Sunday from 3:30 pm until 6:00 pm. Page 13 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

14 Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth For information on Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant and the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, please visit the website: Read about Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant in the Restaurants section, and in the Chefs' Recipe section where Chef Alain Pignard shares a few of his delectable recipes. Le Montréalais Bistrot-Bar-Restaurant Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth 900 boul. René-Lévesque West Montréal, Québec H3B 4A5 Canada Telephone: (Restaurant) Telephone: (Hotel) Toll-Free: (US and Canada) Toll-Free: Fax: queenelizabeth.hotel@fairmont.com Website: Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the award-winning fine dining Le Piment Rouge, named as "Montréal's Best Restaurant 2010/2011" by Le Devoir and CBC Radio Canada, focuses on Szechuan cuisine and "Haute Chinese Chinese" with spicy Szechuan cuisine, as well as offering lighter Cantonese cuisine. Club BRP had a special event at the restaurant and ordered a wide selection of dishes to be shared family style. One of my favorite dishes was the Poulet du général Tao, sauce du Piment Rouge (General Tao's Chicken in "Le Piment Rouge" Sauce) that was crispy, spicy, and very tasty. Another nice dish that I really enjoyed was the Filets de porc, sauce au miel et au poivre (Pork Tenderloin in Honey and Pepper Sauce). Le Piment Rouge is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday from 11:00 am until 11:00 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from noon until 11:00 pm. Page 14 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

15 Le Piment Rouge 1170, rue Peel Le Windsor, Niveau RC Montréal, Quebec H3B 4P2 Canada Telephone: Website: Wienstein & Gavino's, located in downtown Montréal on Crescent Street, focuses on Italian cuisine, has a casual ambience, and an interesting bar that features 30 cocktails on their bar menu. Highlights of my dinner included the Insalata mediteranea, which was a mixture of Tomatoes, peppers, kalamata olives, red onions, cucumbers, goat cheese, red wine vinegar, and oregano; and the Filetto di manzo (Grilled beef tenderloin) that was served in a red wine sauce with carrots, peas, and potatoes. Wienstein & Gavino's kitchen is open Sunday through Wednesday from 11:00 am until 11:00 pm, Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 am until 12:00 am, has a late night menu available until 1:00 am, and the bar is open Monday through Sunday from 11:00 am until 3:00 am. There is a DJ Thursday through Saturday, and they have Happy Hour every Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. For information on Wienstein & Gavino's, please visit the website: Wienstein & Gavino's 1434 Crescent Street Montréal, Québec H3G 2B2 Canada Telephone: Fax: info@wiensteinandgavinos.com Website: Whether you are traveling to Montréal for leisure or for business, it is a city that will captivate with its charm and many diverse attractions. Important Information for Montréal: The currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). As of July 2011, the exchange rate was 1 US Dollar (USD) to.96 Canadian Dollar, and 1 (EUR) to 1.37 Canadian Dollar (CAD). The Canadian Dollar is divided into 100 cents, with coin denominations of.01,.05,.10, and.25, 1 dollar, and 2 dollar coins; bank note denominations are: 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. Electricity is 110 volts/60 cycles, which is used throughout North America. Bring a converter if your appliances do not have dual voltage and plug adapters if traveling from outside North America. French is the official language of Montréal, and while many people speak English, it is always helpful to Page 15 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

16 have some basic language knowledge when traveling. Basic Vocabulary English French Do you speak English? Parlez-vous anglais? I do not understand Je ne comprends pas. Hello bonjour Good-bye au revoir Good evening bonsoir Good night bonne nuit Please s'il vous plaît Excuse me excusez-moi Do you have...? Avez-vous...? I would like Je voudrais Thank you merci/merci beaucoup You're welcome de rien Yes, No Page 16 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

17 oui, non Where are the toilets? Oû sont les toilettes? Where is? Oû est? Travel Voyage Airplane avion Airport l'aéroport Boat/Ferry bateau Bus autobus Customs douane Hotel hôtel Passport passeport Taxi taxi Ticket billet Train train Train station gare ferrovaire Page 17 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

18 Distance Distance Here, There ici, là Close, far près/loin Right, Left, Straight à droit, à gauche, tout droit Shopping Shopping How much is it? Combien? The price? Le prix? Open, Closed Ouverte, ferme Do you accept credit cards? Acceptez-vous des cartes bancaires? Time Temps Monday lundi Tuesday mardi Wednesday mercredi Thursday jeudi Friday Page 18 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

19 vedredi Saturday samedi Sunday dimanche Morning, Day, Night matin, jour, nuit Today, Tomorrow aujourd'hui, demain After, Before après, avant Since dupuis Health Santé Ankle cheville Arm bras Back au dos Chest poitrine Dentist dentiste Doctor médecin Ear oreille Page 19 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

20 Eye, Eyes Oeil, yeux Elbow coude Face visage Finger doigt Foot pied Fever fèvre Flu la grippe Hand main Head tête Headache mal de tête Heart coeur Help! Au secours! Hospital hôpital Ill Mal Knee Page 20 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

21 genou Leg jambe Mouth bouche Neck cou Nose nez Pharmacy pharmacie Shoulder épaule Stomach au ventre Throat à la gorge Restaurant Restaurant Breakfast petite déjeuner Lunch déjeuner Dinner dîner Menu carte The check l'addition Page 21 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

22 Artichoke artichaut Asparagus asperges Bread, Butter pain, beurre Beef boeuf Beets betterave Broccoli brocoli Carrots carottes Cheese fromage Chicken pulet Clams palourdes Cod morue Crab crabe Duck canard Eggs œufs Eggplant Page 22 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

23 aubergine Fish poisson Ham jambon Lamb agneau Lobster homard Meat viande Mushrooms champignons Mussels moules Oysters huîtres Pork porc Poultry volaille Potato pomme de terre Prawns, Shrimp crevettes Salad salade Salmon saumon Page 23 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

24 Seafood fruits de mer Scallops pétancles Soup soupe Tuna thon Turkey dinde Veal viande Vegetables légumes Vegetarian végétarien Zucchini courgette Dessert Dessert Cake gâteau Ice cream glace Pastry pâtisserie Pie tarte Beverages Page 24 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

25 Boissons Coffee café Coffee, black café noir Coffee, with milk café au lait Tea thé Cold, Hot froid, chaud Honey miel Ice glaçons Juice jus Lemon citron Milk lait Sugar sucre Water, Mineral Water eau, eau minérale Alcohol Alcool Beer bière Page 25 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

26 Hard Apple Cider cidre Wine vin Cheers! Santé! Fruit Fruit Apple pomme Banana banane Berries baies Cherry cerise Grapefruit pamplemousse Lemon citron Orange orange Peach pêche Pear poire Pineapple ananas Strawberry Page 26 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018

27 fraise Raspberry framboise Read other articles on Montréal, Canada in the Destinations, Hotels and Resorts, Adventures, Restaurants, and Chefs' Recipes sections. For more information on Montréal, Canada please visit the websites: and August Luxury Experience. rights reserved. Page 27 of 27 - Print date: 10 July 2018