This is the oldest part of the city of Montreal, Ville-Marie, founded in 1642 by the French settlers to New France. Ten years later, relentless attacks by Iroquois had reduced its population to less than 50 inhabitants and people of Quebec City (founded in 1608) still thought of Montreal as "a crazy undertaking." But new recruits arrived in 1653, thus guaranteeing the permanence and evolution of Ville-Marie and of New France. Eventually, Montreal became a fortified city - the location of these former city walls mark today's boundaries of Old Montreal.
The Bonsecours Market and Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, one of the oldest churches in Montreal...
The entrance to an old inn, Auberge Bonsecours...
A view of the St.Lawrence river, from the Old Port, and the Jacques Cartier bridge...
The old and the modern city as seen from the banks of the St.Lawrence river in the Old Port...
Art on an old street...
"The Gossipers"...
Old and new in Downtown Montreal...
8 comments:
Ah, thank you for that virtual holiday :-). I've only been to Canada once - to Toronto and Niagara Falls - I always felt it was such an open, friendly country which holds infinite possibilities.
By the way, I've tagged you for a book meme... ;-)
Bonjour Vesper! Ces images sont merveilleuses!
I used to go to Montreal once or twice a year for business for my last job. It is one of my favorite cities. THere were some boutique hotels near Old Montreal I would stay in that I always enjoyed my stay at. I would be in walking distance of all the wonderful restaurants. Although the last time I was there, I went to a fantastic Belgium restaurant in Old Montreal where service was extremely slow and the food was incredibly good. I also love the University area as well as the Cathedral. Thanks for reminding me of how much I miss going there. I will have to bring my family someday soon. Merci beaucoup.
C'est magnifique, Vesper.
In Windsor once, just over the river from Detroit.
Laissez les bon temps roulez,
John
Thank you, Vanilla. You should visit Montreal too, when possible. It's very different from Toronto, older, and it has a European feel...
Thank you for thinking of me for the book meme.
You should come back with your family, Ello, and do it during summer, when all the festivals are taking place in the streets, the fireworks competition, the Jazz Festival, the Just For Laughs... It's very pleasant and animated.
John, I'm glad you liked it. See my answers above. Do plan a trip sometimes to Montreal (and Quebec City) - it's worth it.
Bonjour!
LOVE your photos, there are several thoughts here.
1. Is Ville-Marie named after Marie Antoinette? Seems right, but wanted to know for certain.
2. The chapel is beautiful; it's architecture is reminiscent of the same style of Versailles. I'd love to walk through this.
3. Montreal bears a striking resemblance to Boston in many ways: bridges, river, buildings... I took a photo of an old Episcopal church with the (Boston) John Hancock tower behind it... something of old and new and was delighted to see that you did as well, they are very similar.
4. The 'art on an old street reminds me of Montmartre in Paris. Loved that neighborhood the most. It appealed to my artistic bohemian side.
I enjoyed this so much, thank you.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
PS - I posted the 3rd addition to the Shameless Lions story this morning. At 3:15 a.m....
Thank you, for the very pleasant walk. And my feet aren't tired at all. (nor are my eyes)
I remember that bridge, but haven't been a Montreal for too long a time.
Kathy Reichs manages to capture some of its flavour in her Temperance Brennan series.
And yes, Montreal has an entirely different character from Toronto.
Scarlett, I'm glad you liked the photos. I think the name has religious origins and refers to Virgin Mary. The French Catholics have given most of the places here names of saints.
Taff, my pleasure...
Bernita, you should visit again. I've been twice only to Toronto - it is an American city, it feels (to me anyway) much "colder" than Montreal. I'm sure though that people who live there or know it better, can easily find nicer things about it.
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