The infamous cross on the top of Mont-Royal is not shining brightly as a beacon these nights. Rather, it has been under construction since September. One of the workers explained that the cross has not been painted for 84 years, so it is in need of a bit of cosmetic refurbishing. We were told that it is being repainted in silver, to look much as it was before. This 31.4 m high illuminated cross was installed in 1924 by the Saint Jean-Baptiste Society and is now owned by the city. It was converted to fibre-optic light in 1992. The new system can turn the lights red, blue, or purple, the last of which is used as a sign of mourning between the death of the Pope and the election of the next.
Although it is called “The Mountain,” Mount Royal is more like a big hill. La Colline de la Croix (or Mont Royal proper) is 233 metres high, which still makes for a great walk. It is like a gift in the middle of the city. Just north of the downtown area, you can dip into the forest and enjoy the smell of the grass, and almost pretend that you are somewhere else completely.
