Canadian World traveller Winter 2017-18 Issue

26
La Grand Roue
An Exciting New Attraction in Montreal’s Old Port
by Susan Campbell
Visitors to Montreal now have a new
reason to visit The Old Port, not that
they need one, in the past two years
the historic quarter cresting the docks along
the St. Lawrence River has seen some seriously
exciting improvements. There is a
new zip line over the water, new cruises, a
new cruise ship port, a giant pirate ship
playground, a manmade beach, an indoor
labyrinth, and pedal boat rentals in the
summer, and skating in the winter. Plus of
course the original attractions like Notre
Dame cathedral, Cirque de Soleil and the
cobblestoned old world charm of the
region. But now the crowning glory of the
landscape is a brand new observation
wheel, and at 60 meters high it is the
largest of its kind in Canada.
Canadian World Traveller Winter 2017-18
The wheel is called La Grande Roue, and
it’s surrounded by a massive new gourmet
food and drink complex with the largest terraces
in the Old Port. The new age Ferris
wheel style attraction was built by Dutch
Wheels NV that had created similar attractions
in Singapore and Paris. You have a
choice of gondolas- there are 42 in allsome
public holding 8 people, others private
holding 4 people, and one uber
deluxe VIP cabin number 42 which holds 4
people and boasts high end leather seats
and a glass bottomed floor. Each car is
glassed in with video screens and music –
you can choose to play your own tunes via
Bluetooth or select one of theirs, and every
cabin is air-conditioned or heated depending
on the season.
The panoramic views from the wheel are
incredible- the St. Lawrence River, the Old
Port, the downtown city skyline and the
marina. And at night the wheel lights up in
neon colors competing with the city’s twinkling
lights, and provides a great place to
catch the fireworks over the water that are
launched from La Ronde nearby during the
Montreal’s annual summer festival. There
are often fireworks in the Old Port to mark
special occasions throughout the year as
well.
The entire project was privately funded to
the tune of 28 million, and the wheel
opened on Sept. 1st, 2017 while the grand
bistro and café complex followed in
November. The dining areas can hold up to
2,500 people, and the entire attraction is
now open year round. Parking is available
right beside it.
www.lagranderouedemontreal.com