In this season of Bridgerton, Colin and Penelope, dubbed "Polin," have everyone in high society catching spring fever with their sudden engagement. It's not just flowers in bloom but rumours too, spreading faster than seasonal allergies. Meanwhile, Penelope’s life as Lady Whistledown is dangerously close to being exposed, adding even more tension to the mix.
Inspired by the genteel drama, here are seven local ways to dine, dance, and dress like a member of the ton in Montreal:
Go to the "modiste" at Ponton for a new gown
Penelope holds up a yellow gown. Right: A sign with a top hat outside Ponton in Hochelaga.
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Where: 4846, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
Cost: $125/weekend
Reason to go: If you're a fan of Bridgerton's regal style, Joseph Ponton Costumes in Hochelaga is a must-visit. Open since 1865, it's Quebec's oldest costume store, packing a massive selection of historical outfits perfect for any fan wanting to channel the show's extravagant fashion. You can rent everything from lace gloves and feathered hats to brocade jackets and full-on period gowns. It's a way of engaging in smart, sustainable fashion — renting a costume for a short time instead of buying. Just step into the shop, pick your persona and party like it’s 1813.
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Read in the garden of Château Ramezay
Someone reads by a fountain in the garden of Château Ramezay. Right: Eloise reads a Lady Whistledowne pamphlet.
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Where: 280, rue Notre-Dame Est
When: Every day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $13.50/adults, $10/students
Reason to go: You can channel your inner Eloise Bridgerton with a book in hand at Château Ramezay. Standing as one of the oldest buildings in North America, the Old Montreal landmark give you a direct line to the days when it served as the residence of Montreal's governors. The Governor’s Garden, a faithful recreation of an 18th-century setup, surrounds you with the herbs and plants that once fed and healed a historical Montreal. The curated gardens out back include a satyr head fountain that makes for a prime spot to settle down with a Julia Quinn book.
More at chateauramezay.qc.ca
Take a break with "Me Tea" at Lady Porcelaine
Queen Charlotte sips a cup of tea. Right: A lavish spread of tea and sweets.
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Where: 4545, rue Saint-Denis
Cost: $15.45/"Me Time" session; $49.45/person for "Afternoon Tea Experience"
Reason to go: Forget Lady Whistledown's society papers; in Montreal, all the secret whispers circle around Lady Porcelaine. At the Plateau tea salon, you can indulge in a "Me Time" session for a decadent solo high tea with a personalized teapot, assorted scones, clotted cream, and seasonal jam. Or gather your dearest friends for the "Afternoon Tea Experience," featuring a selection of fine teas, savoury bites, and sweet treats. No reservations are required for the one-person experience, so even the most spontaneous aristocrat can partake in the ritual. The group experience is limited to three guests at a time, makes for an intimate setting is where Montreal's high society secrets are best shared.
More at ladyporcelaine.com
Learn how to arrange blooms with Floralia
Someone arranges flowers on a table covered in bloom-filled vases. Right: Penelope stands in a doorway surrounded by plants and flowers.
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Where: 5338, boul. Saint-Laurent
Cost: $25/flower socials; $75/bouquet workshop; $135/table centrepiece workshop
Reason to go: Just as Lady Danbury or the Featheringtons might fuss over the perfect floral centerpiece, so too can you dabble in the art of flower arranging. There's a table centrepiece workshop ideal for learning how to style and place flowers in a vases and a hand-tied bouquets class that focuses on the technique of portable displays. On Friday evenings, the Plateau studio also welcomes guests for a relaxed floral arranging social. You can invite your friends, bring your own wine, and practice your skills in a laid-back setting.
More at floralia.ca
Perfect your waltz at a ballroom dance class
A couple dance under a flowering wisteria branch covered in lanterns. Right: Two people dance under chandeliers with an instructor nearby.
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Where: 4847, rue Jean-Talon O.
When:
- Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reason to go: If you've ever dreamed of gliding across the ballroom like the characters in Bridgerton, this is your chance to learn the waltz, a dance steeped in history and elegance. The dance school explains, "This 'mother of all dances' originated in Italy in the 1600s as a round dance called the Volte. It arrived in America in the early 1800s as the first social dance where a woman was held in a man’s arms." The waltz is known for developing graceful movement and poise, essential at every wedding reception, social black-tie formal, and holiday party. For the truly dedicated, the school offers "Medal Balls" with banquets celebrating students who advance to the next level of their dance training..
More at arthurmurraymontreal.com
Have an enchanting musical evening at a Candlelight Concert
A concert performed by candlelight in the Église Notre-Dame des Sept Douleur. Right: Queen Charlotte under a large stained glass window while people in period costumes look down the aisle.
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Where: Varies
Reason to go: You can dress to the nines for a Candlelight concert, where the flicker of candles sets the scene for an electrifying musical journey—no time machine needed. These concerts replicate the pre-electricity ambiance that your favorite Bridgerton characters would have enjoyed, elevating live performances to a spectacular sensory experience. Venues are often elegance and you can imagine Queen Charlotte nodding along to an instrumental homage to Queen. Or, travel back further to revel in the timeless melodies of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven, the rock stars of their era.
More at feverup.com
Have your potrait painted (or just a caricature) in the Old Port
An artist paints on a canvas surrounded by caricatures in the Old Port. Right: Daphne and Simon from Bridgerton stand by their portrait.
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Where: Place Jacques-Cartier
Cost: Varies based on the artist
Reason to go: You can step back to a time before selfies and filters with a portrait session in Old Montreal. Local artists set up in the iconic square offering a flash from the past with their skill in painting portraits or caricatures. Bonus points if you dress up and pose in Regency attire, but you an also always opt for an everyday look. Either way, you'll gain insight into the days when a portrait sitting was the only way to capture a person's image. Reviews of the experience highlight the exceptional talent of the artists and the value for money.
