Place Jacques-Cartier
From Freepedia
Place Jacques-Cartier is, perhaps, the central street of Montreal's Vieux Port (Old Port). The street is named for Jacques Cartier, a French explorer popularly thought of as one of the major discoverers of Canada. The broad, divided street slopes steeply downhill from the City Hall and Rue Notre-Dame to the waterfront and Rue de la Commune. During the high tourist season, the street hosts many street artists and kiosks. During the Christmas season, the street is lined with lighted trees. At any time of year, one can can find restaurants on both sides of the street and many more on the surrounding streets of Vieux Port, notably on Rue Saint-Paul.
During the high season, Jardin Nelson is a popular garden restaurant on Place Jacques-Cartier. Other restaurants offer classical Parisian "terrace" dining.
Near Place Jacques-Cartier on Rue de la Commune, an original piece of the wall of the old fortified city can still be seen in the basement restaurant of the Auberge du Vieux-Port. At the upper end of the Place stands what may be the most controversial monument in all of Montreal: The Nelson Column, installed in memory of Admiral Horatio Nelson. Dating from 1810, it precedes the statue in London by 33 years, and represents to many a reminder of British imperialism.
See also
- Montreal Metro: Champ de Mars station
