When you travel, do you seek historical sites to visit? Being the very birthplace of the city, there are many varied historical sites in Old Montreal to amaze you.
Whether you are planning a visit to Old Montreal or if you live here but haven’t gotten around to visit this historical neighborhood, we’ve got you covered. In our research to develop a Tourist Scavenger Hunt in Old Montreal, we came across much information, some of which can only be gleaned when doing the actual scavenger hunt.
However, we also wanted to share some of that information with you for your visit planning. Here are 6 historical sites in Old Montreal.
6 Historical sites in Old Montreal
Ancienne-Douane / Old Customs House- The British government built this Customs House in 1836 on what is now Place Royal. In fact, its crest is a stone sculpture of Albion, representing Great-Brittan.
- Previously, Samuel de Champlain set up the first fur-trading post on the island of Montreal right here in 1605.
April 1886 Flood marker- On April 17-18, 1886, huge masses thawing spring ice floating down the St. Lawrence river jammed in the narrow shallow waters at the Jacques Cartier Bridge. As the water levels went up, they spilled over the Old Port’s protective wall. Consequently, flooding affected many neighborhoods for a few days.
- You will find a water height marker located on a building at the intersection of De La Commune and Marguerite d’Youville. The John Young Monument is immediately in front of an entryway and you will find the water marker on the right.
Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel- You will find Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel (Our Lady of Good Help) located at 400 Saint-Paul East. The archdiocese built it in 1771 over the ruins of an earlier church built in 1755 which burnt down. It features the remains of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, the first teacher of the colony and founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame.
- Bonsecours Market
- Opened in 1847, the Bonsecours Market accommodated the Canadian Parliament for one session in 1849. It also housed the City Hall of Montreal between 1852 and 1878.
- It now houses art galleries, artisan shops, and outdoor cafés. This is also what you will find all along Saint-Paul including some of Montreal’s best restaurants.
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal- The Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal with its 2 bell towers, in Gothic Revival style stands at Place d’Armes, located on Notre-Dame and Saint-Sulpice Streets. Its stained-glass windows do not depict biblical scenes but rather scenes from Montreal’s religious history. Construction completed in 1829.
- Celine Dion married René Angélil here in 1994.
- This is also where most Quebec statesmen and celebrities have their funeral service held, as was the case for hockey legend Maurice “The Rocket” Richard in 2000.
- Old Firehouse
- You will find the Centre d’Histoire de Montréal (Montreal’s History Museum), located in an old Firehouse dating from 1903. It is built in a Flemish style.
- It is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
We invite you to try our Old Montreal Tourist Scavenger Hunt. It is a 2 and a half hour guided walking tour around Old Montreal you do on your mobile phone (how it works). It only costs $30 for your group. You will enjoy seeing these historical sites and much more while completing challenges and learning Montreal’s history.
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