Live for Love on Valentine’s Day in romantic Montreal

Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, Montreal sets its sights on a long weekend of love. Walk down snow-covered cobblestone streets, turn a plush hotel room into a romantic getaway, spur the senses with dining and chocolate, and find something swoon-worthy to do around every turn…

Montreal’s many restaurants tend to pull out all the stops for Valentine’s Day, no matter what your craving or budget. Return to a favourite French restaurant, a nostalgic hole-in-the-wall, or choose a new locale: Osco! in Old Montreal, Le Balcon restaurant and cabaret, opulently decorated Les Filles du Roy, XO at Hotel Le St-James, La Fonderie fondue restaurant, Accords natural wine bar, and rustic-meets-modern Racines, all of which are featuring special menus made for love, or perhaps choose from among our picks from Montreal restaurant week, TASTE MTL.

Lovers and lovers of chocolate walk arm-in-arm over to free event Je t’aime en chocolat!, setting the Valentine’s mood February 7-9 at Marché Bonsecours in Old Montreal. Sample some of the best handcrafted chocolate in Quebec at the Je t’aime en chocolat! marketplace, learn more about the sweet stuff in culinary classes, and even see a chocolate-themed fashion show. Find more delectable desserts at Suite 88 chocolate lounge and cafe, indulge at one of five Juliette et Chocolate locations in the city, find Chocolats Genevieve Grandbois next door to bagels in the Mile End neighbourhood, and Les Chocolates de Chloé near Parc Lafontaine in the Plateau.

Speaking of Montreal’s parks, even when covered in snow, their natural beauty is perfect for a romantic afternoon or evening adventure. Bundle up and explore Mont Royal, either just the two of you or join a Valentine’s snowshoeing tour, complete with mulled wine and chocolate truffles. Or stroll hand-in-hand through the city’s antique shops, on the lookout for unique collectibles, 18th- and 19th-century furniture, rare glass and porcelain, jewellery and more: find it at Milord Antiquity, Grand Central Inc., Petit Musée, Rowntree Antiques and beyond. Step activity up with ice skating at Beaver Lake at the top of Mont Royal, at the moat-like rink at Parc Lafontaine, down in the Old Port, accompanied by music and the glittering lights of the city, or even indoors at Atrium Le 1000. Romantic adventurers head to Parc Jean-Drapeau for a dogsled ride for two, cross-country skiing, snowshoe tours and even snowboarding. If you decide to extend your stay until February 20, don’t miss winter festival Montréal en Lumière’s days and nights of art, culture and gourmet cuisine.

When evening falls, Montreal entertains in the name of love. The Montreal Museum of Fine Art, currently hosting a gorgeous exhibition by acclaimed international painter Peter Doig, presents the Arion Baroque Orchestra on February 14 as part of the Bourgie Hall music program, while on February 15, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kent Nagano, takes Mahler to new heights. If theatre sends happy shivers down your spine, see Chekov’s masterpiece The Seagull transform winter into passionate summer at the Segal Centre. Absorb yourselves in the African dance of Zab Maboungou and Compagnie Danse Nyata Nyata at the SAT February 13-14, or go dancing yourself, from dance lesson to a hot dance floor, at one of Montreal’s many tango and salsa clubs. And even watch the universe unfold and the stars align at the Montreal Planetarium.

Relax side-by-side in the warmth of a Montreal spa, from Bota Bota, a multi-storey spa located on a boat in the Old Port, to the tranquil Scandinave Spa Vieux-Montréal, Spa Eastman Montréal and Rainspa, all with water circuit, massage and beauty
packages for two. And end the day at one of Montreal’s hotels, offering special Valentine’s packages featuring rose petals and wine, chocolate and champagne. Among the many, Hotel St Paul, Auberge Le Pomerol, Auberge Le Jardin d’Antoine, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth and Hotel Le St-James come highly recommended for romance.

Take advantage of your stay in Montreal with this Sweet Deal package!