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My hotel was only a short walk from Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal), the historic center of the city. I woke up in the morning and headed out to explore.
Viger Hotel & Station
As I walked out the front door, the first building I noticed was the Viger Hotel & Station (Gare-hôtel Viger). Built in 1898, this grand structure was once a railway station and a hotel built as a series of chateau style hotels by Canadian Pacific Railway (like Château Frontenac in Québec). It has since been redeveloped into offices.
Chapel of Our Lady of Good Help
I made a quick stop at the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Help (Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours) for the Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum, but unfortunately it was closed when we passed by. The museum contains a history exhibit and an archaeological site revealing artifacts from natives who camped at the site over 2400 years ago. You can also get a look at Old Montréal from the tower of the chapel. While there’s no fee to enter the chapel, adult admission to the museum is CAD$14 (as of July 2024). It’s open daily from mid-May to mid-October and closed Mondays the rest of the year.
Bonsecours Market
Next, I walked past Bonsecours Market (Marché Bonsecours), the main public market in Montréal for over 100 years. It was built in 1844 and also served as parliament for one session in 1849. Today, it’s used as office space, restaurants, and banquet rooms.
City Hall
A short walk uphill is the Montréal City Hall (Hôtel de ville de Montréal), which was originally built in 1872. It burned down in 1922 and was completely rebuilt shortly after. Charles de Gaulle gave a controversial speech from the balcony in 1967. I popped in for a quick look.
Château Ramezay
Across the street is Château Ramezay. It was built in 1705 as a governor’s residence. One interesting fact is that Benjamin Franklin stayed there one night in 1776 while trying to raise troops to fight in the American Revolution. It’s now a museum of Montréal history and is well worth visiting. Adult admission is CAD$14.50 (as of July 2024) and it’s open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Vauquelin Square
Next to City Hall is the small Vauquelin Square (Place Vauquelin). It was originally part of a fief given to French merchant Lambert Closse in 1658, and later ceded to the Jesuits in 1692. It was the site of the old prison from 1763 to 1836. The square contains a monument dedicated to Jean Vauquelin, an 18th century French naval officer, unveiled in 1930.
The other building on the square is the Old Palace of Justice (Vieux Palais de justice de Montréal), built in 1856.
Champ de Mars
Behind Vauquelin Square is Champ de Mars, an old military parade ground that was the site of the fortifications of Old Montréal. The fortifications were destroyed after City Hall was constructed. Champ de Mars was later turned into a parking lot but was restored as a park in the 1980s.
Jacques Cartier Square
The focal point of Old Montréal is Jacques Cartier Square (Place Jacques-Cartier), lined with shops, restaurants and street vendors. It’s located on the site of Château Vaudreuil, which was built in 1723 and burned down in 1803. The site was turned into a public space called New Market Square (renamed Jacques Cartier Square in 1847 after the explorer who claimed Canada for France in 1535). Nelson’s Column, the oldest public monument in Montréal, was erected there in 1809.
From Jacques Cartier Square, I wandered down Saint Paul Street (Rue Saint-Paul) and the side streets and admired the architecture until I found my way to Place d’Armes.
