Place D'Youville, Historical square in Old Montreal, Canada
Place D'Youville is a square in Old Montreal that tells the story of different historical periods through its materials: wooden walkways connect to concrete, granite, and limestone surfaces. The space opens toward museums, offices, and restaurants, while wide seating areas invite visitors to linger.
This location once housed St. Anne's Market, which served as Canada's Parliament beginning in 1844 until a fire destroyed the building in 1849. That loss shaped the city's memory and eventually led to a thoughtful redesign of the space.
The square honors Marguerite d'Youville, founder of the Grey Sisters, whose orphanage once operated in this area for generations. Visitors today can sense this charitable legacy in the quiet corners and the stone facades of surrounding buildings.
The square is easy to navigate on foot and invites exploration with its many pathways and seating options. Plan time to walk through different sections and visit nearby museums or restaurants.
During its redesign between 1997 and 2008, black materials and scorched earth elements were used to remember the fire that destroyed the parliament building. This quiet memorial shows how the square wove its tragic past into its design.
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