Montreal's Hidden History: 10 Overlooked Historical Sites in Old Montreal

While tourists queue for Notre-Dame Basilica (rightfully so, it's magnificent), several equally compelling sacred spaces sit quietly nearby, their histories whispering to those who listen.

The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours (Our Lady of Good Help) may lack the grandeur of its famous counterpart, but its significance runs deeper. Built in 1771 over the ruins of an earlier chapel founded by Marguerite Bourgeoys in 1655, this modest stone church earned the nickname 'The Sailors' Church' as generations of mariners came to pray for safe passage on the St. Lawrence. The small museum beneath contains remarkable archaeological remains from Montreal's earliest European settlement, including foundations dating to the 1670s.

Just blocks away stands St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, an architectural gem that represents the Scottish influence on Montreal's development. Its distinctive Gothic Revival style with a Greek portico creates a unique architectural fusion that reflects Montreal's cultural blending. The church's cemetery contains graves of prominent Scottish merchants who shaped the city's commercial development.

Perhaps most overlooked is the Old Saint-Georges Anglican Church on Rue Saint-Joseph. Now repurposed as office space, careful observers can still spot the ecclesiastical elements in its façade. This church once served Montreal's English Protestant elite during the height of British colonial influence in the 19th century.

Few visitors realize that Old Montreal was once a walled city, its perimeter defined by stone fortifications that protected the settlement from the 1720s until their demolition in the early 19th century. While the main walls are long gone, fascinating remnants persist for the observant traveler.

The Champ de Mars public space, located behind City Hall, reveals the most substantial remaining section of Montreal's original fortifications. Archaeological excavations in the 1990s uncovered the stone foundations of the city's northern wall and two of its bastions. The city wisely preserved these findings under glass panels, allowing visitors to literally walk above history. I spent a quiet afternoon here sketching the outlines of these defensive works, imagining the city as it existed three centuries ago.

Nearby, the Customs House on Rue de la Commune incorporates stones from the original fortifications into its foundation—a literal example of building upon history. This elegant Beaux-Arts structure from 1915 replaced an earlier customs house and serves as a reminder of Montreal's importance as a trading port.

For a comprehensive understanding of Montreal's military past, I recommend packing a reliable field guide in your daypack. Having specific historical context enhances the experience tremendously when examining these subtle historical traces.

Beyond the well-trafficked main streets of Old Montreal lie several remarkable mansions that tell the story of the merchant class that once controlled the fur trade and later the city's banking and shipping industries.

The Papineau House on Rue Bonsecours stands as one of Montreal's finest examples of early 19th-century residential architecture. Built in 1785 for Joseph Papineau and later home to his son Louis-Joseph (a key political figure in Lower Canada's history), this elegant stone house offers guided tours that reveal the domestic life of Montreal's French-speaking elite. The period furnishings and family artifacts provide an intimate connection to the past that large museums often lack.

Less known but equally fascinating is the George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site on Rue Notre-Dame. This pair of connected townhouses showcases the lifestyle of the Montreal bourgeoisie during the Victorian era. Cartier, a Father of Canadian Confederation, lived here from 1848 to 1871. The immersive exhibits recreate the atmosphere of upper-middle-class life with remarkable attention to detail.

For couples interested in architectural history, I suggest bringing a good camera to capture the intricate details of these historic homes. The lighting can be challenging in these old buildings, but a quality compact camera with good low-light performance will help you document these architectural treasures without disturbing other visitors.

My personal favorite is the often-overlooked Maison Malard on Rue Saint-Paul, one of the oldest residential buildings in Montreal (circa 1715). While not open for interior tours, its distinctive gambrel roof and thick stone walls exemplify the French colonial architectural style that defined early Montreal. The adjacent courtyard offers a peaceful spot for reflection away from tourist crowds.

While Old Montreal is celebrated for its colonial architecture, its role as an industrial powerhouse is often overlooked. The area along the Lachine Canal and the Old Port contains remarkable industrial archaeology that tells the story of Montreal's economic development.

The Darling Foundry on Rue Ottawa represents the industrial heritage that once defined this neighborhood. Built in 1918 as an iron foundry, it manufactured machinery parts until the 1960s. Today, it's been thoughtfully repurposed as a contemporary arts center while preserving its industrial character. The massive interior space with its original crane system offers a visceral connection to Montreal's manufacturing past.

Nearby, the Silo No. 5 grain elevator complex dominates the waterfront landscape. While not open for regular tours, this massive concrete structure (built in stages between 1903 and 1958) stands as a monument to Montreal's role as one of North America's most important grain shipping ports. The complex stretches nearly half a kilometer along the Lachine Canal and offers photographers exceptional opportunities to capture industrial architecture at its most monumental.

For those interested in industrial history, I recommend walking the Lachine Canal National Historic Site, which features interpretive displays explaining how this 14.5-kilometer canal (completed in 1825) allowed ships to bypass the treacherous Lachine Rapids and facilitated Montreal's industrial boom. The restored locks and industrial buildings along the canal's edge provide a fascinating counterpoint to Old Montreal's more celebrated colonial architecture.

During my exploration of these industrial sites, I relied heavily on my waterproof hiking boots which proved invaluable when navigating the sometimes muddy canal paths and industrial areas. The ankle support and waterproof protection made a significant difference in comfort during long days of urban exploration.

Long before European colonization, the island of Montreal was home to indigenous peoples whose history is too often overshadowed in tourist narratives. Several sites in and around Old Montreal acknowledge this deeper history and the continued indigenous presence in the city.

The area now called Place Royale holds particular significance as the precise location where Samuel de Champlain established a temporary fur trading post in 1611. Archaeological excavations revealed evidence of both French colonial and prior indigenous occupation. The Pointe-à-Callière Museum built above this site incorporates these archaeological remains into its exhibitions, allowing visitors to literally descend through layers of Montreal's history to its pre-colonial foundations.

Less known is the small Place de la Grande-Paix de Montréal, a modest square commemorating the 1701 Great Peace of Montreal treaty signed between the French and 40 First Nations. This diplomatic achievement ended a century of conflict and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of northeastern North America. The square features an easily missed stone marker with inscriptions explaining the treaty's significance.

For those seeking to understand Montreal's indigenous connections more deeply, I recommend visiting the Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center in Kahnawake, just a short drive from Old Montreal. Though technically outside the old city, this cultural center offers essential context for understanding the Mohawk presence that predates European settlement.

During my explorations of these sites, I found my field journal indispensable for recording observations and reflections. There's something about physically writing notes that helps me process and remember historical information better than digital alternatives, especially when trying to connect different historical narratives across sites.

Some of Old Montreal's most enchanting historical spaces are hidden within interior courtyards, accessible through narrow passages that many visitors walk past without noticing. These intimate spaces offer couples a quiet retreat from tourist crowds while revealing another dimension of the district's architectural heritage.

The Cours Le Royer complex represents one of Old Montreal's most successful adaptive reuse projects. Originally constructed as warehouses for the fur trade in the mid-19th century, these buildings now enclose a series of connected courtyards surrounded by residences and boutique businesses. The central courtyard features a small fountain and benches where you can sit quietly surrounded by history. I spent a peaceful afternoon here sketching the architectural details and watching light play across the weathered stone.

Nearby, the courtyard of the Hôtel Pierre du Calvet dates to the 1770s and represents one of the finest examples of Montreal's early stone architecture. While the building functions as a boutique hotel, respectful visitors can enter the courtyard to admire its period features. The adjacent restaurant makes this a perfect spot for a romantic lunch surrounded by history.

Perhaps my favorite hidden space is the courtyard of Château Ramezay, which features a meticulously maintained French colonial garden based on 18th-century designs. The geometric layout, medicinal and culinary herb collections, and period-appropriate plantings offer insight into the horticultural practices of New France. It's a perfect spot for quiet conversation away from the bustle of nearby tourist areas.

For couples exploring these intimate spaces, I recommend bringing along a good travel thermos filled with coffee or tea. Montreal's weather can be unpredictable even in summer, and having a warm beverage makes these peaceful courtyard moments even more enjoyable, especially during morning or evening hours when temperatures can drop.