Montreal Then and Now - Place Jacques Cartier

Copyright Photo: Place Jacques Cartier Square - Market - About 1930 by Montreal Photo Daily, on Flickr
This was Place Jacques Cartier (Jacques Cartier Square) in Old Montreal... about 1930. Market days were twice a week from 1803 until the end of the 1950s: merchants from across Quebec gathered here to sell fresh produce and other goods. (Note: Nelson's Column is the monument at the top right... erected in 1809 to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.)


Copyright Photo: Place Jacques Cartier Square - 2011 by Montreal Photo Daily, on Flickr
Today, Place Jacques Cartier is mainly a playground for tourists. It's a pedestrian zone that features bistros, bars, souvenir shops, street performers and artists selling Montreal / Quebec landscapes. We locals love coming down here too! During the summer months, there's nothing like sipping a glass of wine in an outdoor terrace while enjoying the va-et-vient (people-watch). If you're in the know, there are weekly private parties that are held in penthouse / lofts in this area too. NOTE: You are facing the harbour side... Walk 3 blocks straight ahead and you will come to the St. Lawrence River. Nelson's Column is directly behind you.


Copyright Photo: Place Jacques Cartier Square - Building From 1930 Photograph by Montreal Photo Daily, on Flickr
I was happy to discover that this building has not been demolished! Nor has it been de-faced with a modern front. In the black & white photograph at the top, look for the building with the "U. Perrault & Cie" sign, on the left side of photo. NOTE: Perrault is a family name that dates back to as early as 1634 in New France.


Copyright Photo: Place Jacques Cartier Square - Building From 1930 Photograph 3 by Montreal Photo Daily, on Flickr
The greystone building next to it has also survived. From what I can tell, most of the building's architectural details have remained intact.


Links of Interest: Welcome to Shuttsville, Father Julien Perrault - pg.110, Island of Seven Cities - A CBC Documentary

14 comments:

Birdman said...

I enjoyed both shots, the old and the updated. Seems like a fun place to take in a morning's sunlight.

Leif Hagen said...

Fun to see the then and now comparison! I loved seeing those old produce delivery trucks!
Bonne journee et bon weekend, Ken!

Randy said...

Looks like my kind of place! Love the old photo to.

RedPat said...

Wouldn't that market have been a fun place to shop? Glad some of the buildings have survived and have been kept intact.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Love that 1930 shot of a place I often visit - and photograph. Thank you for sharing it!

magiceye said...

that was a beautiful series of images

Mo said...

Time has improved this square.

Arija said...

Great to see the comparisons. I am glad that at least some of the old buildings still remain. A pity the market was not retained though. Markets too are a great tourist attraction.

Thank you for your visits and comments.

Spare a thought for me freezing as you sip your wine i a sidewalk cafe.

Kaori said...

So lovely how they've preserved the buildings! I love eating and drinking outside, too. Looks like a great place to hang out on a sunny day! Cheers :D

Judy said...

Fantastic before and after shots! It looks to be a busy place, way back in time and is beautiful now. I am very glad that those buildings are still there and looking much like they did in the old photo. Wonderful post, Ken! Happy weekend to you!

Rae Walter said...

Great to have the before and after shots and to see the square is as relevant today as it has been in the past.

Elisa said...

Wonderful pictures!
I´ll put a +1 in Google!

Montreal Photo Daily said...

Wow, Elisa! Thanks! :))

Charlestonjoan said...

I love now and then shots! Montreal is so beautiful.