The Chinatown Gate stands at the intersection of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and René-Lévesque Boulevard. It features four massive stone pillars topped by traditional tiled roofs, painted in bright reds, greens, and yellows. This structure, a…
Immigrant History on The Main
This walking tour traces the cultural spine of Montreal along Boulevard Saint-Laurent, where successive waves of immigrants first settled. You'll visit historic Jewish delis, bustling community hubs, and quiet parks that reveal the rich multicultural history of 'The Main'.
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1. Gate of Chinatown (South Paifang)
2. Monument-National
The Monument-National distinguishes itself with a facade of heavy grey limestone carved into ornate, rounded arches that break the vertical rhythm of Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Opened in eighteen ninety-three, it served as the headquarters…
3. MEM - Centre des mémoires montréalaises
The MEM features a distinct, rhythmic facade of terracotta louvers that filter daylight into the building. This center serves as the home for the Montreal History Centre, replacing its long-time residence in a former fire station in Old…
4. Edifice Balfour
The Edifice Balfour stands out for its curved corner facade, where rows of large, industrial-style windows follow the bend of the street. Built in nineteen nineteen, this structure once housed the Balfour Shirt Company. Workers…
5. La Vieille Europe
The storefront of La Vieille Europe is defined by its wall of glass shelves packed with hundreds of imported sausages, cheeses, and artisanal tins. For over sixty years, this shop has operated as a corner delicatessen for the neighborhood.…
6. Schwartz's Deli
A narrow, wood-paneled storefront sits on Saint Laurent Boulevard with a faded yellow sign and a line of people constantly spilling onto the sidewalk. This is Schwartz's Deli, a meat-smoking institution that opened its doors in nineteen…
7. Musée du Montréal juif - Museum of Jewish Montreal
The Museum of Jewish Montreal occupies a narrow, brick-faced storefront on Saint Laurent Boulevard. It operates as a community hub dedicated to mapping and preserving the history of the Jewish population that once turned this street into a…
8. Park of Portugal
The Park of Portugal marks the intersection of Saint Laurent Boulevard and Marie-Anne Street with a distinctive mosaic wall of blue and white ceramic tiles. This small public space serves as a central hub for the city’s Portuguese…