Description of the attraction
Located in the heart of Old Montreal, just a few minutes' walk from the old port, Jacques Cartier Square is one of the favorite places of both city residents and its guests.
In 1723, on the site of today's square, a luxurious mansion and beautiful gardens were built especially for the current governor of New France, Philippe de Rigaud, the Marquis de Vaudreuil (Vaudreuil). In honor of its first owner, the estate was named Château Vaudreuil and subsequently served as the residence of all French governors, and after the British conquest, a college for boys was located in the chateau.
In 1803, as a result of a fire, Chateau Vaudreuil was completely destroyed, and it was decided to give this land plot as a public square and place the main city market here - New Market Place. The square was lined with shopping arcades, and the stone buildings surrounding the square were occupied by hotels, workshops and various shops. In 1809, a memorial was erected on the square - Nelson's Column, in memory of the outstanding British naval commander Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died during the legendary Battle of Trafalgar, which played a decisive role in the confrontation between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars. The square received its present name in 1847 in honor of the famous French navigator who initiated the colonization of North America - Jacques Cartier.
In the mid-19th century, the Bonsecourt market was opened in Montreal, which became the city's main trading platform. The shopping arcade was removed from the Place Jacques Cartier over time, although up to the 1950s, it still hosted exit fairs twice a week.
Today, Place Jacques Cartier is a popular tourist center with many hotels and cozy restaurants, traditional souvenir shops and, of course, street artists who will paint your portrait for a very reasonable fee. During the summer, the Jacques Cartier square is completely pedestrianized.
