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Naked travel takes you to places where you are stripped of your notions and expectations. The traveler is whisked out of the familiar and placed into a different setting, a setting which leaves you bare and open to possibilities and adventure. Montréal is such a destination. Without exaggeration, one of the gay-friendliest places in the world, Montréal boasts a huge gay community. Le Village, a well developed gay hub, begins at rue Ste. Catherine est and rue St. Hubert and runs for blocks; this village also branches north and south of Ste. Catherine creating a unique experience. Rainbow flags wave proudly all throughout Le Village, making gay tourists feel not only welcome but integral to the community. Gay presence does not begin and end in Le Village. Gay and lesbian life is integrated into the fabric of life in Montréal itself. There is a respect for gay and lesbian people; gay/lesbian relationships are valued equally with heterosexual relationships and gay life is seen by the city and its officials as something that adds value to the city and that brings a vibrant quality to city life. Montréal is composed of old world charm and savoir faire, a robust sex-positive attitude, civility and culture, as well as a spirit of conviviality. The city is civilized and playful at the same time. Its citizens are passionate about many things, one of which is knowing how to have a good time. This joie-de-vivre combines with a laissez faire attitude to produce a wonderfully celebratory atmosphere. The feeling in the air, at once sensual and romantic, makes this city one of the best places to enjoy a vacation. Lodging is plentiful; gay guesthouses exist alongside more strait-laced establishments. One interesting hotel is l'Aux Berges (not in the Village but not far), with plenty of rooms, a bar, a spa (sauna, steam, showers, and a clothing optional sun deck), and complimentary continental breakfast. Hotel le Saint Andre, right in the middle of the Village, is comfortable and recently refurbished; when I stayed there, they provided a complimentary in-room continental breakfast. Le Houseboy is a winner just because of its name. It is a small B&B, with a cozy atmosphere and gracious hosts. There are plenty more and you can find them and other gay information at www.fugues.com or www.tourisme-montreal.org or www.gayellowpages.com. Gay bars and clubs abound in the Village and elsewhere. Unity, Sky Pub, Le Parking, Le Stud, L'Aigle Noir, Le Drugstore, Cabaret Mado are only a few. Some, like Le Drugstore and Sky Pub offer multiple floors of fun and entertainment. L'Aigle Noir is a cruisy leather bar which draws quite a crowd. Le Stud, where you may find your perfect match, is often crowded to overflowing. Walk down Ste. Catherine and you'll find a bar that fits your style or will expand your range. You will also see any number of fine restaurants and cozy cafes. A specialty of the Village is its strip bars. Could the Naked Traveler not mention this? In Québec, strippers are permitted to disrobe completely. Stock Bar, Campus, L'Adonis and Taboo are four favorites. Each has its own style and each caters to different tastes in men. Campus and L'Adonis are open 3pm-3am and dancers are featured continuously. The quality of performers is uniformly excellent – they are beautiful, sensual, and vibrant. You'll find yourself whiling away more than a few hours once you step into the fantasy worlds these places provide. Of course, Montréal has saunas - a staggering 14 of them. Sauna Centre Ville, 456, L'Oasis, 5018 and others are there when you want them. Many are located in Le Village but others are in far-flung corners of this vast city. Most are usually abuzz 24 hours a day. If you can't imagine foot traffic in the Village being even more voluminous, wait until Divers Cité (Gay pride celebration) or the Black and Blue circuit party. The pride event is held the last week in July up to early August; the circuit party jams the streets with boys in October during Canadian Thanksgiving weekend (Columbus Day in the USA). Life outside the Village comes in the form of cultural offerings such as excellent museums (The Museum of Fine Art and the Contemporary Art museum are just two), theater and music. Culinary establishments of every kind and for every taste and budget are found here. A stroll to the rue Prince Arthur brings you to a pedestrians-only site packed with restaurants and cafes, enabling you to sample a variety of cuisines or just be part of the café set. The atmosphere is electric, especially on a summer evening when everyone sits outside eating, drinking, people watching or having tête-à-têtes. The rue St. Deni and the Boulevard Saint Laurent, in the vicinity of Le Village are also alive with a variety of types. Did I mention the party spirit that inhabits the city and its citizens? Once spring arrives, outdoor dining blossoms and things stay this way as long as weather permits. Warmer weather also brings about the many festivals the city sponsors throughout spring and summer. The Jazz Festival, The Comedy (Juste pour Rire) festival, the World Film festival, the Divers Cité Festival (www.diverscite.org), and the Fireworks competition are among the major events. But if you're observant and pay attention, you can find other events which are more low-key but every bit as much fun. Lest we forget, Montréal gives that extra twist to the naked traveler - one is stripped of one's language. French is the order of the day in Québec and Montréal - you can get along without it, but it will take a while and this enhances that naked feeling. Abandon yourself to the experience.  Joe DeMarco's latest projects include The Lavender Raven, an online GLBTQ mystery & more journal, at www.lavenderraven.com, as well as Mysterical-E, www.mystericale.com. Joe's website is www.josephdemarco.com Top |
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