Place d'Armes

Culture, arts and heritage Leisure activities Architecture Outdoor Old Montreal and Old Port Old Montréal Montréal

Originally built at the end of the 17th century, Place d’Armes has become a prestigious address in Montréal. The surrounding buildings are remarkable mementos of all the major milestones in the city's history. Since 1895, a statue of Paul de Chomedey, "Sieur de Maisonneuve," the founder of Montréal, stands in the centre. Nearby is the city’s oldest building, the "Vieux Séminaire" (130 Notre-Dame Street West), erected between 1684 and 1687, by the Messrs of Saint-Sulpice who were "seigneurs" of the island of Montréal for nearly two centuries. On the north side of the square sits the Bank of Montréal (and its Museum) (119 Saint-Jacques Street West), which was founded in 1817. It is the oldest banking institution in Canada.