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.)
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.
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.
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:
I enjoyed both shots, the old and the updated. Seems like a fun place to take in a morning's sunlight.
Fun to see the then and now comparison! I loved seeing those old produce delivery trucks!
Bonne journee et bon weekend, Ken!
Looks like my kind of place! Love the old photo to.
Wouldn't that market have been a fun place to shop? Glad some of the buildings have survived and have been kept intact.
Love that 1930 shot of a place I often visit - and photograph. Thank you for sharing it!
that was a beautiful series of images
Time has improved this square.
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.
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
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!
Great to have the before and after shots and to see the square is as relevant today as it has been in the past.
Wonderful pictures!
I´ll put a +1 in Google!
Wow, Elisa! Thanks! :))
I love now and then shots! Montreal is so beautiful.
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