One Montreal woman’s voice is famous all over the city, but few people have any idea what voice actress Michèle Deslauriers looks like in person… Her voice has been a “signature” of sorts for the Montreal Metro system since 2003, when she replaced Judith Ouimet.
Aside from her face, which we rarely see, there is one other thing that is rare for Michèle Deslauriers: having her voice broadcast in English in the metro system! Indeed, the vast majority of announcements in the metro are made in French. However, there is one special circumstance in which her voice is broadcast in English for all to hear…
Emergency announcements!
Fortunately, emergencies are rare in the Montreal metro. It’s a relatively safe network, in a relatively safe city. But they do occasionally happen, as was the case last summer at Place-des-Arts Station. One lucky YouTube user going by the name “Sky Of The Universe” seized the opportunity to catch this rare emergency message on video as it was being broadcast in French AND English!
Click here to listen for yourself!
Should more announcements in the Montreal metro be bilingual? Or does the French add to the charm and signature Montreal style? Let us know what YOU think in the comments on Facebook!