Le Plateau · Gift idea
Plateau Mont-Royal keepsake, and a little neighbourhood guide
Carré Saint-Louis, brick duplexes, outdoor staircases and the bike lane: the Plateau Mont-Royal hand-drawn across the four seasons, as postcards or a poster. And, further down, my favourite spots in the neighbourhood.
Choose my gift Pack of 4 cards $15 · Poster $20
Le Plateau, in every season
What the drawing shows
The poster settles on Carré Saint-Louis, around its fountain. Behind it, the Plateau's Victorian houses, mansard roofs and red brick, with their famous outdoor staircases.
On the ground floor, the « Le Marronnier » restaurant and a café terrace, a cat on a windowsill and, on the road, the bike lane, an essential detail of the neighbourhood.
Four seasons, four gifts
- Spring Lilacs in the laneways and the first café terraces on Saint-Denis: the Plateau waking up.
- Summer Carré Saint-Louis in the shade, the busy bike lane, full balconies: summer on the Plateau.
- Autumn Leaves on the spiral staircases and moving boxes barely unpacked: the season of new neighbours.
- Winter Snowy staircases and lit duplex windows: the gift for someone who left the neighbourhood.
Who is it for?
Those who lived on the Plateau and miss it: the laneways, the staircases, the corner dépanneur.
Friends moving on July 1st, for a housewarming gift that speaks of the neighbourhood.
French expats and visitors who fell in love with the neighbourhood during a stay.
Plateau cafés, restaurants and shops, for truly local decor or client gifts.
An easy gift to give
- Cards slip into an envelope and travel for the price of a stamp: ideal for someone who lives far away.
- The 8.5 × 11 in poster fits a standard frame: a gift ready to hang in minutes.
- The pack brings together the four seasons of the Plateau Mont-Royal: keep your favourites and mail the others.
- Everything is in stock and shipped from Montréal, delivered in Canada in 2 to 7 business days.
Hand-drawn in Montréal
Behind Klemstudio is Clément, an illustrator based in Montréal. Each city is drawn one by one in flat design: simple shapes and flat colours, so you recognise the Plateau Mont-Royal at first glance.
The drawing is vector-based: it stays perfectly sharp, from the small postcard to the poster. The Plateau Mont-Royal belongs to the « One city, four seasons » collection, with Montréal, Québec City, Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke and the Plateau.
Little Plateau guide: where to eat
A few neighbourhood institutions, easy to find and worth the trip. Check opening hours before you go.
- Schwartz's Montréal's most famous smoked meat, on boulevard Saint-Laurent. There is a line, and that is part of the fun.
- La Banquise The poutine spot on rue Rachel, near Parc La Fontaine, with dozens of different poutines.
- L'Express The Parisian bistro on rue Saint-Denis, a place Montrealers have been passing on for decades.
- Au Pied de Cochon Hearty Québécois cooking on avenue Duluth, for a memorable meal.
- Beauty's The retro breakfast diner on avenue du Mont-Royal Ouest, perfect before a walk up the mountain.
- Avenue Duluth A street of small bring-your-own-wine restaurants: buy a bottle at the dépanneur and sit down.
Where to stroll
- Le carré Saint-Louis The fountain and the colourful Victorian houses around it: this is the scene on the card. Perfect for a break on a bench.
- Le parc La Fontaine Its pond, tall trees and, in winter, its skating rink: the neighbourhood's big garden.
- L'avenue du Mont-Royal Thrift shops, bookstores, cafés: the Plateau's main shopping street, pedestrian for part of the summer.
- Les ruelles vertes Between the streets, laneways planted and tended by neighbours. Walk in quietly, it is their home.
- Le mont Royal A few minutes' walk: the Kondiaronk lookout for the view and, on summer Sundays, the tam-tams at the George-Étienne Cartier monument.
Frequently asked questions
Do you ship to Montréal?
Yes. Orders ship from Montréal by Canada Post and usually reach Montréal in 2 to 7 business days. Shipping $5, free over $40.
Which season should I give?
The one of the memory: summer for the terraces and Carré Saint-Louis, autumn for a move, winter for the snowy staircases. The card packs include all four seasons.
Can I order single cards?
Online, cards are sold as packs of 4 (the four seasons of the Plateau Mont-Royal): $15 in 4 × 6 and $22 in 5 × 7. Posters are sold individually, $20. Single cards are available in partner shops.
Can I ship directly to the recipient?
Yes, within Canada: just enter their delivery address at checkout. Handy for sending le Plateau to someone who lives far away.
Is the poster framed?
No, it ships on its own, in the 8.5 × 11 in letter size: it fits a standard frame that is easy to find in stores, so you can pick one that matches the decor.
Do the cards have a back to write on?
Yes. Every card has a classic correspondence back, with room for a message, the address and a stamp: it mails like any postcard.
I run a café, restaurant or shop on the Plateau.
Get in touch: I prepare larger orders for local businesses and I can draw your storefront in the same style.
Want to see the whole city? the Plateau Mont-Royal postcards