Montreal Get a taste of France without the jet lag From the April 22, 2002 Issue of New York Only a 90-minute flight away, Montreal is the closest you'll get to the taste of France without leaving the hemisphere. Visit the beautifully curated Musée des Beaux-Arts, prowl the narrow cobblestone streets, and wander the colorful Jean-Talon farmers market before sniffing out La Fromagerie Hamel, which offers more than 450 varieties. At dusk, head downtown for a drink at the hushed Ritz-Carlton (but stay in one of Old Montreal's newer hotels, like the seven-room Auberge Bonsecours, a converted stable on a quiet courtyard; or Hotel St.-Paul, whose Beaux-Arts exterior belies the modern space within). To see how much Montreal can really feel like Paris, dine at L'Express, a casual spot with a zinc bar, a lively din, and perfect bistro fare. Savor a bottle of Saint-Émilion and some confit de canard while you revel in the feeling of being far away, without changing time zones. -- LIZA SCHOENFEIN Details Continental flies nonstop from Newark (800-525-0280); L'Express (514-845-5333); Ritz-Carlton Montréal (800-363-0366); Auberge Bonsecours (514-396-2662); Hotel St.-Paul (514-380-2222); Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal (514-285-2000).