It is immediately easy to see why Montreal, with its European cafe-culture and North American vitality, is consistently named one of the world's most livable cities. When the sun shines, no sobriquet is more fitting for this Canadian metropole than <i>La Belle Ville</i>, the beautiful city. "It's always nice to get the feeling that there's a grand prix in town even when we're away from the track, and that's certainly the case in Montreal," Mark Webber said last year. While this accessible F1 bubble is great for tourists looking to enjoy the special atmosphere and maybe find themselves rubbing shoulders with a driver or team-member out dining with their partner, for the past two years, when I have visited Montreal I have opted to instead stay near to the Latin Quarter in the east side of the city. Escapism at times feels essential when you work for nine months of the year with the same small group of people. As well as that, the Latin Quarter is a hive of bohemia that charms like no other. Rue St Denis, which scythes through the district like a cheese knife, is only about 7km from Crescent, but offers a window to a completely different side to the city. It is alternative and grungy, filled with student-types and young professionals. It is possible to walk the entire length of St Denis and remain completely ignorant to the fact a grand prix is taking place. The nearby Mount Royal sits at the top of the area and is almost always bustling with cyclists, skateboarders, folks on roller blades, people playing frisbee and friends just relaxing on the grass. The shops at the foot of the mountain, offer an eclectic range from high-street brands such as American Eagle and Gap to small independent clothing boutiques and vintage stores. On Wednesday, while exploring some of the area's vibrant streets, I spotted 1) a young man in a T-shirt and kilt, 2) a middle-aged woman with pink hair, and 3) several suited men and women sipping lattes while whiling away their early evenings. The late nights that we do not get the joy of experiencing in the UAE, is capitalised on here with many cafes and shops staying open late. Once nightfall sets in, the neon switches on and the sheer number of international bars and restaurants becomes apparent. A quick glance down St Denis throws up cuisine options of Tibetan, Thai, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Greek, French, Spanish and others. At weekends, the bars are often packed full of friendly young Canadians, although I still smirk when I see a group of jocular young men clad in baseball caps and baggy shorts sitting discussing French politics. In French.