Maison Cartier, National historic site and restaurant in Old Montreal, Canada.
Maison Cartier is a house and restaurant on Notre-Dame Street East that was built from stone and has a gabled tinplate roof with large multi-pane windows. Dormer windows on the front face give the structure additional light and visual interest at street level.
The building was constructed between 1812 and 1813 and first operated as a small inn serving farmers and market visitors from the adjacent marketplace. It was built during a period when Montreal was growing and establishing itself as a major urban center.
The building reflects how people lived and worked in early Montreal, with its layout showing the blend of residential and commercial spaces typical of that time. Walking through it today gives a sense of daily life during the early 1800s in the city.
The restaurant is located in the heart of Old Montreal and is easy to reach on foot since it sits on Notre-Dame Street. Visitors should plan time to experience both the dining and the historic building itself, as they are part of the same visit.
The structure retains its original protective firewalls, which prevented fires from spreading between buildings, a practical safety feature from early urban design. These elements reflect how the city managed safety concerns during its rapid growth period.
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