The Carré Saint-Louis and its houses in Montreal

Once in Montreal, it is difficult to miss Carré Saint-Louis or Square Saint-Louis. Located in the heart of the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough between avenue des Pins and rue Sherbrooke, Square Saint-Louis has it all. In addition to being easily accessible, it is full of splendid places not to be missed. Among them we can cite the surprising colorful houses with Victorian architecture.

The Carré Saint-Louis is undoubtedly one of the most photographed places in Montreal. Authentic architecture, diverse colors and pleasant atmosphere, all the conditions are met to make your stay memorable.

The first question that arises is: where is the famous Saint-Louis square? This place, which is part of the Plateau Mont-Royal, has the advantage of being easy to find and above all easy to access. To get there, you have a metro station nearby, that of Sherbrooke. If you prefer bus rides, there are also stops not far from there like 144 Sherbrooke, 144 and 360 De Bullion / Des Pins. In addition, there is the SPAQ Cherrier car park at 455 Rue Cherrier which meets your parking needs.

Square Saint-Louis is a mythical district. We recognize it from several things starting with the colorful facades that adorn the streets. Moreover, these Victorian-style houses are very popular with tourists. But what can we really say about the Carré Saint-Louis?

Originally, Saint-Louis Square was a municipal water reservoir that was used to supply all the houses in the district: the Jean-Baptiste reservoir or the Côte-à-Baron reservoir. Moreover, the square owes its name to two entrepreneurial brothers who are responsible for having erected several structures around the square. As for the iron cast in the center of the basin, it was originally placed in Square Viger, but was moved following the lengthening of rue Berri.

The Carré Saint-Louis is made up of a fabulous wooded park surrounded by several colorful houses with very particular shapes. Over time, this park has become a real landmark for many artists. Among the best known, we can mention the poet Émile Nelligan whose bust was erected and inaugurated in 2005 in the park, Dany Laferrière who wrote his first novel "Comment faire l'amour à un nègre sans se tireur" on a bench in the parc, the poet Octave Crémazie who is one of the first national poets and many others. Moreover, at the present time, one can still meet painters and draftsmen of all kinds there.

If you are visiting Montreal, a short detour to Carré Saint-Louis is a must. Why ? Because the neighborhood has many surprises in store for you. To take full advantage of the sunny days, you can go there to have a picnic or read a book. The calm and pleasant setting will bring you all the comfort you need. The landscape is also conducive to shooting. Indeed, you can take splendid photos there, in any season. The shaded park also allows you to cool off, unwind and relax. In addition, Kiosque K opens its doors to you to taste good dishes (salads, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches, croque-monsieur, etc.) as well as to delight you with fresh drinks. You can also borrow a book there. For those who like to stay connected, a free WiFi network is available at the park. The latter is also the meeting place for squirrels.

In addition to the park, the Saint-Louis square is also distinguished by its many colorful houses. Taking advantage of Victorian architecture, the latter offer an extraordinary landscape. Moreover, these homes emphasize the richness and authenticity of Montreal.

• The barracks of the Carré Saint-Louis and its specificities

The construction of Victorian houses in the neighborhood was taken over by the French-speaking bourgeoisie between 1736 and 1737. Originally, they were to serve as places to house a market, but they quickly became dwellings. They are recognizable by their appearance with slate roofs, wooden joinery and their colorful facades. These huts in question form the Carré au Puits, the Carré à la Fontaine, the Carré à la Terre and the Carré à l'Avoine.

Some houses are home to businesses as well as many craftsmen. Moreover, you can go there to do your shopping or to enjoy delicious dishes. In addition, a warm welcome and a friendly atmosphere await you. Among the culinary artisans and restaurants of the Carré Saint-Louis are: The Octopus which is both a fishmonger's and a seafood restaurant, the Boucherie des Carrés where quality products and good humor are at the rendezvous and La Petite chocolatière where you can enjoy several sweet delights and spend pleasant moments.

Moreover, these colorful houses were the home of various famous personalities: Gérald Godin, Michel Tremblay, Claude Jutra, Emile Nelligan as well as several poets, writers and filmmakers.

• A place conducive to photography

It must be said that the colorful houses of Montreal represent a panorama that is really worth the detour. In addition to admiring the beauty of the neighborhoods, you can freeze the moment through never-before-seen shots. Indeed, the place is ideal for taking souvenir photos. Fortunately, the Saint-Louis square is close to the rue St André which abounds with colorful buildings, the rue Prince Street and the boulevard Saint Laurent.

To make modern photos, the street art of the neighboring streets is at your disposal. In winter, the spectacle is even more marvelous when the streets are dressed in their white coat to further highlight the colors of the Victorian-style houses.

We can conclude that Montreal has not finished surprising us through its various attractions and unique neighborhoods. Square Saint-Louis is a calm, pleasant and historic place that is open to everyone. A site visit will certainly make your stay memorable. Moreover, the district did not stop at its Louis XVI version, but to continue its development and changes with the new generations and the height of new technologies. Moreover, the square Saint-Louis is a place where the old and the modern mix in perfect harmony.