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The Main Media Inc. 2026

✦ Built By Field Office
    The Main

    Montreal's Cultural Directory

    Help us improve! Share your thoughts on how we can make your experience better.

    Leave feedback

    For partnerships and collaborations:

    partnerships@themain.com

    Content

    • Articles
    • Food & Drink
    • Arts & Culture
    • History Lesson
    • Bulletin
    • Events

    Guides

    • All Guides
    • Best Restaurants
    • Best Cafés
    • Best Bars
    • Best Brunch
    • Best Bakeries

    Explore Montreal

    • Browse Directory
    • Restaurants
    • Bars
    • Cafés
    • Bookstores

    About

    • About us
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Advertise
    • Pitch us
    • RSS Feed

    Legal

    • Terms of service
    • Membership Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    Follow us
    InstagramTwitterTiktokLinkedin

    The Main Media Inc. 2026

    ✦ Built By Field Office
      --°C|Wednesday, April 15, 2026|
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      --°C|Wednesday, April 15, 2026|
      Subscribe today to get 3 free articles per month.ROYALMOUNT Wants to Be Your Dining Destination for a Whole MonthGet 50% off your first 5 rides with Lyft
      InstagramTwitterTiktokLinkedin
      |
      Advertise
      The Main Logo
      Arts & CultureFood & DrinkHistoryCity Guides
      Explore
      Popular Guides
      • The Best Restaurants in Montreal
      • Best new Restaurants
      • Best Cafés
      • Unique Boutiques
      • Romantic Restaurants
      • Best Bookstores
      • See all Guides
      Neighbourhood
      • Downtown
      • Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
      • Mile End
      • Mile-Ex
      • Saint-Henri
      • See All
      Business Type
      • Restaurant
      • Café
      • Boutique / Store
      • Bar
      • Bakery
      • See All
      Near the Metro
      • Peel
      • Mont-Royal
      • Place-Saint-Henri
      • Place-d'Armes
      • Jarry
      • View all
      More
      Categories
      • Beyond Montreal

        Travel, adventure, and global perspectives.

      • Design

        The best of Montreal design.

      • History

        Stories, lessons, and context.

      • Newsletter

        Our weekly newsletter.

      • Weather
      • See all original stories
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      More History Lesson

      The Montreal Punch That May Have Killed Houdini
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      The Montreal Punch That May Have Killed Houdini

      A backstage encounter at a Montreal theatre, a few punches, a death six weeks later. The cause remains disputed.

      The Little Store That Runs Montreal: A Complete History of the Dep
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      The Little Store That Runs Montreal: A Complete History of the Dep

      How a 1970 law, a Rosemont grocer, and generations of immigrant families created Montreal's most essential institution.

      How Montreal Built Its Own Irish Pub Culture
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      How Montreal Built Its Own Irish Pub Culture

      The shamrock has been on Montreal's coat of arms since 1832, and the pub culture that followed has been here just as long.

      What Happened to Montreal's Red Light District?
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      What Happened to Montreal's Red Light District?

      Jazz legends, burlesque queens, and organized crime made it one of the most alive corners in North America. Then Montreal decided it had a reputation to protect.

      The House That Haitian Montreal Built
      History Lesson
      The Main

      The House That Haitian Montreal Built

      The story of La Maison d'Haïti: Its welcome and advocacy for Montreal's growing Haitian community since 1972.

      The Woman Who Taught a City How to Play the Piano
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      The Woman Who Taught a City How to Play the Piano

      In so many ways, Montreal jazz exists because Daisy Peterson Sweeney both masters and generations of kids in Little Burgundy.

      History Lesson

      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.

      ByDaniel Bromberg

      April 13, 2023 · 11 min read

      Vintage Photos of Montreal's Most Famous Landmarks, from the Notre-Dame Basilica to Marché Maisonneuve
      Market, Jacques Cartier Square, Montreal, QC, about 1930 | Photograph: William Fowle / Notman photographic Archives - McCord Museum
      How the Atwater Market fed Montreal through depression and renewal
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      How the Atwater Market Fed Montreal Through Depression and Renewal

      A civic monument, a neighbourhood anchor, and a living archive of what Montreal eats since 1933.

      How Montreal got its Little Italy
      History Lesson
      Daniel Bromberg

      How Montreal Got Its Little Italy

      A century-long story of how a neighbourhood grew from railroad workers to family legacies everywhere you look today.

      How Little Portugal carved out its place in the Plateau
      History Lesson
      Phylida Tuff-West

      How Little Portugal Carved Out Its Place in the Plateau

      From postwar migration to piri piri chicken, Azorean immigrants transformed an iconic Montreal neighbourhood with enduring community.

      What Montreal's 1976 Olympics left behind, 50 years later
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      What Montreal's 1976 Olympics Left Behind, 50 Years Later

      Were the Summer Games a triumph, a total failure, or somewhere in between?

      From opera house to haunted relic to hot ticket, Montreal's Rialto Theatre refuses to die
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      From Opera House to Haunted Relic to Hot Ticket, Montreal's Rialto Theatre Refuses to Die

      A near-forgotten movie palace that's outlasted demolition plans, disco dreams, and decades of decline to become one of Montreal’s most resilient cultural landmarks.

      Before the world knew his name, Montreal heard him first
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      Before the World Knew His Name, Montreal Heard Him First

      The Harlem of the North, Little Burgundy, raised a legend. It took 100 years to say it as loudly as possible from the city's rooftops.

      More History Lesson

      The Montreal Punch That May Have Killed Houdini
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      The Montreal Punch That May Have Killed Houdini

      A backstage encounter at a Montreal theatre, a few punches, a death six weeks later. The cause remains disputed.

      The Little Store That Runs Montreal: A Complete History of the Dep
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      The Little Store That Runs Montreal: A Complete History of the Dep

      How a 1970 law, a Rosemont grocer, and generations of immigrant families created Montreal's most essential institution.

      How Montreal Built Its Own Irish Pub Culture
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      How Montreal Built Its Own Irish Pub Culture

      The shamrock has been on Montreal's coat of arms since 1832, and the pub culture that followed has been here just as long.

      What Happened to Montreal's Red Light District?
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      What Happened to Montreal's Red Light District?

      Jazz legends, burlesque queens, and organized crime made it one of the most alive corners in North America. Then Montreal decided it had a reputation to protect.

      The House That Haitian Montreal Built
      History Lesson
      The Main

      The House That Haitian Montreal Built

      The story of La Maison d'Haïti: Its welcome and advocacy for Montreal's growing Haitian community since 1972.

      The Woman Who Taught a City How to Play the Piano
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      The Woman Who Taught a City How to Play the Piano

      In so many ways, Montreal jazz exists because Daisy Peterson Sweeney both masters and generations of kids in Little Burgundy.

      History Lesson

      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.

      ByDaniel Bromberg

      April 13, 2023 · 11 min read

      Vintage Photos of Montreal's Most Famous Landmarks, from the Notre-Dame Basilica to Marché Maisonneuve
      Market, Jacques Cartier Square, Montreal, QC, about 1930 | Photograph: William Fowle / Notman photographic Archives - McCord Museum
      How the Atwater Market fed Montreal through depression and renewal
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      How the Atwater Market Fed Montreal Through Depression and Renewal

      A civic monument, a neighbourhood anchor, and a living archive of what Montreal eats since 1933.

      How Montreal got its Little Italy
      History Lesson
      Daniel Bromberg

      How Montreal Got Its Little Italy

      A century-long story of how a neighbourhood grew from railroad workers to family legacies everywhere you look today.

      How Little Portugal carved out its place in the Plateau
      History Lesson
      Phylida Tuff-West

      How Little Portugal Carved Out Its Place in the Plateau

      From postwar migration to piri piri chicken, Azorean immigrants transformed an iconic Montreal neighbourhood with enduring community.

      What Montreal's 1976 Olympics left behind, 50 years later
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      What Montreal's 1976 Olympics Left Behind, 50 Years Later

      Were the Summer Games a triumph, a total failure, or somewhere in between?

      From opera house to haunted relic to hot ticket, Montreal's Rialto Theatre refuses to die
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      From Opera House to Haunted Relic to Hot Ticket, Montreal's Rialto Theatre Refuses to Die

      A near-forgotten movie palace that's outlasted demolition plans, disco dreams, and decades of decline to become one of Montreal’s most resilient cultural landmarks.

      Before the world knew his name, Montreal heard him first
      History Lesson
      J.P. Karwacki

      Before the World Knew His Name, Montreal Heard Him First

      The Harlem of the North, Little Burgundy, raised a legend. It took 100 years to say it as loudly as possible from the city's rooftops.

      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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      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.

      Free account required

      For readers who care about Montreal

      Create a free account to read this story and access 3 articles per month, plus our weekly Bulletin.

      Independent. Local. Reader-supported.

      or

      Already a member? Sign in

      The Main

      Comments

      Welcome to The Main's comments section!

      Share your thoughts and join the conversation. Please be respectful and constructive.

      No comments yet. Be the first!

      Advertisement

      Follow on Google

      Related Classics

      From our archive.

      The Bulletin: From Ice Storm 2 to Summer Weather In 7 Days or Less [Issue #20]

      Previous

      The Bulletin: From Ice Storm 2 to Summer Weather In 7 Days or Less [Issue #20]

      Next

      The Bulletin: Orange Cones as Old as You, a New Leonard Cohen TV Series, Art Fairs and Flea Markets [Issue #21]

      The Bulletin: Orange cones as old as you, a new Leonard Cohen TV series, art fairs and flea markets [Issue #21]

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