What happened to the Latin Quarter?

This story originally appeared in URBANIA, an online magazine based in Quebec focused on pop culture and society.

For many of us, myself included, the Quartier Latin represents a first kiss with Montreal. A unique place that becomes a rite of passage for young people arriving from the far reaches of the province, seeking not just the thrill of their first drinks but the rush of urban life—the energy of the streets, the glow of the lights, and those unpredictable nights where anything feels possible. Schools, bars, and hole-in-the-wall eateries intertwine with cinemas, theaters, and music venues, weaving a bohemian tapestry where knowledge and art brush up against the margins and subcultures, accessible to those daring enough to explore them.