Montreal – Vieux Montreal (Part 2)

Marché Bonsecours (Bonsecours Market), completed in 1847 evolved from being the Parliament of United Canada, then as the City Hall, later becoming the central market, a music recital hall, and finally the home of the municipality's housing and planning offices. It is more of a retail centre now, but is also used for exhibitions and musical performances.

Marguerite Bourgeoys, a nun and teacher who was made a saint in 1982, founded the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel (Sailors' Church). It is named as such because many seamen come to worship here, while sailors saved at sea made pilgrimages to the church to give thanks. A museum within tells the story of Bourgeoys' life, and beautiful views of the port and Vieux Montreal can be seen from the top of its tower.

Snapshots of the interior

Views from atop the tower

Vieille Douane (Old Customs House) was erected from 1836 to 1838. One side of the building faces Place Royale, the first public square in the 17th-century settlement of Ville-Marie (Montréal). It's where Europeans and Amerindians used to come to trade.

Opposite Vieille Douane is Pointe-à-Callière, the original site where Ville-Marie (Montreal) was founded in 1642. It now houses the impressive Museum of Archaeology and History, where ruins of the ancient city can be seen. The museum is connected to Vieille Douane via an underground connection.

My last stop was Vieux-Port (Old Port), Montréal's historic commercial wharves which have been reborn as a waterfront park frequented by cyclists, in-line skaters, joggers, strollers, and picnickers.