Montréal's amusement park was run for most of its 35 years by the city. In recent years, that arrangement clearly wasn't working, with the facility sliding into massive disrepair. Now it has been sold to the American-owned Six Flags theme park empire. At first, La Ronde under the new management seemed pretty much the same as it had been, minus the threat of insolvency. But recently it has introduced seven promised new rides. Le Vampire, for one, is a suspended coaster, where willing riders experience five loops at over 80km per hour, meaning that they are upside down much of the time.

The park fills the northern reaches of the Ile Ste-Hélène with a sailing lagoon, an "Enchanted Forest" with costumed storytellers, and a Western town with a saloon. There are also Ferris wheels, carousels, roller coasters, carnival booths, and plenty of places to eat and drink. Thrill-seekers will love rides like Le Boomerang, Le Monstre, and Le Cobra, a stand-up roller coaster that incorporates a 360-degree loop and reaches speeds in excess of 97km (60 miles) per hour. While many of the 35 rides test adult nerves and stomachs, there are ample attractions for youngsters, such as the Tchou Tchou Train and the Super Volcanozor, which combines 3-D images of dinosaurs with swooping, twirling movement.

A big attraction every year is the International Fireworks Competition, held once a week in June and July (postponed in bad weather). The pyromusical displays are launched at 10pm and last at least 30 minutes. Many Montréalers choose to watch them from the Jacques Cartier Bridge, which is closed to traffic during the display. Take along a Walkman to listen to the accompanying music, which is broadcast.