Le Plateau – Part 1 (Square Saint-Louis and area)

Le Plateau is a vibrant neighbourhood on the east side of Mount Royal, traditionally noted for it’s culture of artists, poets and musicians. Almost a bohemian atmosphere mixed in with beautiful streets and varying architecture, cafe’s and restaurants. Politically, this area is called Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, but, this is more of a city borough designation based loosely on an electoral map, as this political borough encompasses several true neighbourhoods. We will focus on the true Le Plateau.

C & D from WalkMontreal are pleased to bring to their followers a five-part series of walking Le Plateau. Part one will take us from Square Saint-Louis, admiring the Victorian homes that surround it, to the nearby streets of Laval, Henri-Julien, Drolet and then onwards to Saint-Denis, Saint-Hubert and back along Roy and return to Square Saint-Louis. This walk was done on Saturday June 25, 2022 between 11 AM and 1:30 PM. The walk is not difficult, mostly flat terrain. Below is a map highlighting the directions.

We started here at the corner of Laval Avenue and Square Saint-Louis.

Square Saint-Louis was created in 1876, on the site of a former reservoir.

Monument to the poet, Émile Nelligan, created by Roseline Granet, in 2005.

Monument to the poet, Émile Nelligan.

The centre piece to the Square is this beautiful fountain.

Monument to Louis-Octave Crémazie, created by Louis-Philippe Hébert in 1906.

Cast-iron fountain by Jordan L. Mott Iron Works of New York City, created in 1849.

Rue du Square Saint-Louis

Laval Avenue

Rue du Square Saint-Louis

Corner of rue du Square Saint-Louis and Henri-Julien Avenue

Rue du Square Saint-Louis

Laval Avenue

Walking north on Laval Avenue

Laval Avenue

Corner of Laval Avenue and Napoleon Street

Laval Avenue

Corner of Laval Avenue and Rachel Street…turn right (or east).

Alley off Rachel Street

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church, corner of Henri Julien and Rachel, built in 1872 and then partially rebuilt in 1912 after interior fire. This is the third largest church in Montreal.

Walk south on Henri Julien Avenue

Henri Julien Avenue

Corner of Henri-Julien and Duluth

Henri-Julien Avenue

Turn around and look back up Henri Julien

The armoury of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, a Primary Infantry Reserve Regiment, built in 1911 at the corner of Pine Avenue and Henri Julien Avenue.

Henri Julien Avenue

Corner of Henri Julien and Square Saint-Louis

Rue Square Saint-Louis

Square Saint-Louis

Turn left (east) and walk up Drolet Street.

Drolet Street

Corner Drolet and Duluth

Drolet Street

Back on Rachel at corner of Drolet, turn right (or east).

Alley off Rachel Street.

We are now at the corner of Rachel and Saint-Denis Street, walk south on Saint-Denis.

Saint-Denis Street

Corner of Saint-Denis Street and Roy Street.

Walk to Cherrier Street on your left (east side).

Plaque commemorating journalist Louis Francoeur.

Walk east in Cherrier Street

Looking south on Berri Street as you cross Cherrier and Berri Streets, the stark contrast in buildings, architecture and cityscape from what we just walked thru is incredible. We are not walking towards these buildings!