Vintage Photos of Montreal's Most Famous Landmarks, from the Notre-Dame Basilica to Marché Maisonneuve

See what these iconic spots looked like over 100 years ago.

Daniel Bromberg

Daniel Bromberg

April 13, 2023- Read time: 11 min
Vintage Photos of Montreal's Most Famous Landmarks, from the Notre-Dame Basilica to Marché MaisonneuveMarket, Jacques Cartier Square, Montreal, QC, about 1930 | Photograph: William Fowle / Notman photographic Archives - McCord Museum

Ask most people what they think of when you say Montreal and they’ll probably say: construction, winter, construction, snow, construction, cold, construction… you get the point. And while true, those answers miss the mark: Visitors to the city often recall its thriving arts and nightlife scene, incredible food and drink culture, and the intermixing of French and English (sadly now under fire by the current Quebec government).

De plus, Montreal is renowned for its rich history and beautiful architecture. From gigantic spheres like the skeletal remains of the Biosphere to the neo-gothic Notre-Dame Basilica in the heart of Old Montreal, the city is home to a number of famous landmarks that have withstood the test of time. And although AI-generated images are currently all the rage, there's something – dare I say magical – about vintage photos that help transport us back in time and give us a glimpse of what life was like in Montreal decades ago.

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