The Forges of Montreal

Inside the former Riverside pumping station, the clang of hammer on steel still echoes through a craft that nearly vanished in Quebec. Les Forges de Montréal, founded in 2000 by blacksmith Mathieu Collette with his father Pierre, operates as both workshop and cultural space devoted to preserving traditional forging techniques. The non-profit restored the 19th-century industrial building to house demonstrations, training programs, exhibitions, and hands-on workshops that introduce visitors to the craft’s tools, materials, and history. Beyond public programming, the forge supports contemporary artisans while documenting practices tied to centuries-old metalworking traditions. After years of advocacy to remain in the building amid redevelopment pressures, the organization secured ownership of the site in 2023 through an agreement with the City of Montreal. Today, the space functions as a rare place in the city where blacksmithing is still studied, practised, and passed on.