Category: Walking tours

For a second year running, Friends of Saint-Laurent Boulevard propose a discovery tour of the Main during the Nuit blanche of the Montréal en lumière Festival.

Saint-Laurent Boulevard, recognised as a National Historic Site of Canada since 1997, is known as the point of arrival for successive waves of immigration. Its history has been marked by people—famous and ordinary—from all over the world. Come and (re)discover the eternally cosmopolitan character of The Main! In both French and English.

Led by Bernard Vallée and Catherine Browne of Montréal explorations.

Description on the Nuit blanche web site

An innovative and original tour to learn about the history of cinema on Saint-Laurent Boulevard!

Saint-Laurent Boulevard is an iconic street in Montreal, well-known as the point of arrival for successive waves of immigrants and as the bridge between Montreal’s two principal linguistic communities. But did you know that it also plays a role in the history of cinema? The first film screening in North America took place on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in 1896.

Numerous places on the Main between Sherbrooke Street and Mont-Royal Avenue have been significant for the film industry, such as the Cinema Parallèle, Excentris and the old Cinema Élysée, now demolished.

Come along on this tour led by Québécois filmmaker Luc Bourdon, and be one of the few to see behind the scenes at the Cinema l’Amour, or to learn more about the history of Excentris…

Don’t miss the opportunity!

Walking tour – Saturday, October 12 [FULL] and Sunday, October 13, 2013 – 10 am – 12 am

Reservation required: info@amisboulevardstlaurent.com or 514-286-0334

Meeting point: Cinéma l’Amour, 4015 Saint-Laurent Boulevard

A free activity, offered by the Friends of Saint-Laurent Boulevard, organised with the participation of the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

During Mix’arts, discover the history of the Main!

Walking tour led by Catherine Browne

While the street is closed to traffic, come discover or rediscover the historical and architectural heritage of the Main, between Sherbrooke Street and Mont-Royal Avenue.

Our guide will share her knowledge and passion for one of the most iconic streets of Montreal.

Walking tour, in French, 9:30 am – noon.

Meeting point: service station on the northwest corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Sherbrooke Street

Price : $12 non-members / $10 members

Reservation recommended : culture@boulevardsaintlaurent.com or 514-286-0334

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Come visit the Portuguese district, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the arrival of this community in Montreal and Canada!

Walking tour led by Joaquina Pires and Miguel Simão Andrade

The Portuguese community, particularly active on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, is celebrating this year the 60th anniversary of the arrival of its first immigrants to Montreal.

This is a perfect occasion to discover or rediscover the Portuguese district, accompanied by two guides from this community who will share their passion for their culture and their traditions.

Walking tour, in French, 10:30 am – noon.

Meeting point: corner of Avenue des Pins and Saint-Laurent Boulevard

Price: $12 non-members / $10 members

Reservation recommended: info@amisboulevardstlaurent.com

Information : 514-286-0334

Sunday, June 16, 2013

During the Mural Festival, (re)discover the history of the Main in a different way !

Walking tour led by Catherine Browne and Bernard Vallée

On the occasion of the first edition of this public art festival, come to discover or rediscover the historical and architectural heritage of the Main, while also admiring the new artwork being created on buildings along Saint-Laurent Boulevard, between Sherbrooke Street and Mont-Royal Avenue this coming weekend.

A meeting between the heritage of the past and the heritage of tomorrow, in appreciation of one of the most iconic streets of Montreal.

Walking tour, in French or English (specify when reserving), 9:30 am – noon.

Meeting point: service station on the northwest corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Sherbrooke Street

Price : $12 non-members / $10 members

Reservation recommended : culture@boulevardsaintlaurent.com or 514-286-0334

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Walking the Main: a 6-km guided tour of Saint-Laurent Boulevard on the weekend of the Formula 1 pedestrian zone !

Tour led by Bernard Vallée, Catherine Browne and Justin Bur

From the Old Port to Jean-Talon Street, discover the richness and diversity of the neighbourhoods adjoining the six kilometres of Montreal’s historic Main. During this day-long walk, our experienced and enthusiastic guides will tell the stories of the different communities that have shaped the boulevard.

The Formula 1 weekend may be the occasion to glance at some fancy machinery, but it also implies that much of the boulevard will be closed to traffic, allowing us to walk freely up the street.

A different sort of guided tour, back for the first time in four years. Not to be missed!

Walking tour, in French, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Starting point: Rue de la Commune south side, at the foot of Saint-Laurent Boulevard, in the Old Port.

There will be a one-hour break for lunch.

Price: $25 non-members / $20 members (lunch not included)

Reservation recommended: culture@boulevardsaintlaurent.com or 514-286-0334

As part of Jane’s Walk, presented by Montréal Urban Ecology Centre, The Friends of Saint-Laurent Boulevard invite you to enjoy a fascinating walking tour.

THE FAMOUS BAGG STREET AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

Discover the Jewish neighbourhood with its typical triplex, the Bagg Street synagogue, shops and historic baths of Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Devonshire Park, Hotel-Dieu Hospital and, of course, the view over the mountain! Terminus next to the legendary Schwartz Smoked Meat.

Sunday May 6^th 2012, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Rain or shine, the departure is at the south-west corner of Bagg and St-Urbain streets.

* Free activity. No reservation needed. This activity will be offered in French only.

During the International Day for Monuments and Sites 2012, presented by Héritage Montréal, The Friends of Saint-Laurent Boulevard invite you to enjoy a fascinating walking tour of the Main, historic cradle of the Montréal Portuguese community.

THE PORTUGUESE NEIGHBORHOOD: AT THE HEART OF THE MAIN

Discover the visible and hidden traces of the rich and diversified contribution of this cultural community that planted its roots on the Main some 60 years ago.

After a historic overview of the Portuguese immigration and integration in Québec, the tour explores the Portuguese neighbourhood and multifaceted Luso-Montréal culture on a visit of the area’s popular meeting place and its heritage.

Sunday April 22, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Rain or shine, departure on Northeast corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Des Pins Avenue.

* Free activity. No reservation needed. This activity will be offered in French only.

Mile End Memories* and The Friends of Saint-Laurent Boulevard invite you to their next joint activity:

Walking Tour: The Main of Mile End

Susan Bronson

Discover the rich history of the built heritage of Saint-Laurent Boulevard between Mount Royal and Van Horne Avenues, as well as the many personalities who built it and lived and worked there over the last century.

Date and time:
Saturday 30 April 2011, 2:00-4:30 p.m., rain or shine

Departure point:
Southwest corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Mount Royal Avenue (55, 97 or 11 bus, métro Mont-Royal)

End point:
Corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Van Horne Avenue (55 bus, métro Rosemont)

Language:
English ( Details of French Tour here )

Cost:
$12 per person

Reservations:
Not necessary

* Mile End Memories is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the heritage, history and culture of the Mile End neighbourhood.