Maisonneuve Monument

The Maisonneuve Monument stands in Place d'Armes in Old Montreal and features a central bronze statue elevated on a pedestal. Four relief panels surround the base, each depicting different scenes from Montreal's early colonial period.

Sculptor Louis-Philippe Hébert created this monument in 1895 to commemorate Montreal's founding as a French colonial settlement. The work was completed to mark a major anniversary of the city's establishment.

The monument depicts scenes of early settlement through its carved panels, showing how French colonists shaped the area around them. These sculptural details reveal what people valued about founding moments and remain visible expressions of how the city's origins were remembered.

The site is easily accessible through the Place d'Armes metro station, located right at the square. Visiting outside peak hours allows for a clearer view and more comfortable experience around the monument.

One of the relief panels depicts the erection of the first cross on Mount Royal in 1643, a moment that predated the official city establishment. This detail reveals how artists chose to weave together different historical layers into a single monument.

GPS coordinates: 45.50480,-73.55726

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:41