Country Canada Owned by Government of Canada Phone +1 514-496-7678 Owner Government of Canada | Location Montreal, Quebec Province Québec Opened 1830 | |
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Operated by Old Port of Montreal Corporation inc. Address 333 Rue de la Commune O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2E2, Canada Similar Old Montreal, Notre‑Dame Basilica, Pointe‑à‑Callière Museum, Montreal Biodome, Mount Royal Profiles | ||
The Old Port of Montreal (French: Vieux-Port de Montréal) is the historic port of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Located in Old Montreal, it stretches for over two kilometres along the St-Lawrence River in Old Montreal. It was used as early as 1611, when French fur traders used it as a trading post.
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In 1976, Montreal's Port activities were moved east to the present Port of Montreal in the borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
The Old Port was redeveloped in the early 1990s, under the direction of architects Aurèle Cardinal and Peter Rose. It is today a recreational and historical area and draws six million tourists annually.
Attractions
The historical Old Port offers Montrealers and visitors alike access to a wide variety of activities, including the Montréal Science Centre, with an IMAX Theatre, and the Montreal Clock Tower. It offers riverfront access for walking, cycling, roller-blading, quadricycle, pedalo and Segway rentals. It is also located at the eastern end of the Lachine Canal, which has itself been extensively refurbished as a popular destination for cycling, roller-blading and pleasure boating. Cultural events include the Festival Montréal en lumière, Igloofest and the Matsuri Japon festival.
In June 2012, an urban beach, called the Plage de l'Horloge (Clock Beach), opened adjacent to the Clock Tower. The beach consists of sand, Muskoka chairs, a boardwalk, a bar, showers and misting stations. Visitors are charged a fee for admission. Work began on the site in the fall of 2011, including the installation of parasols. The beach was designed by Claude Cormier, who has also designed urban beaches in Toronto.
The Old Port of Montreal changed its name to The Quays of the Old Port of Montreal in 2005. Approximately every 2 years the Cirque du Soleil launches a new show from the Jacques Cartier Quay.
The Old Port was rejected as the site of a proposed aerial gondola.
The Old Port was also known as one of the most famous fishing spots in Great Montreal area. A popular shore fishing position is Parc de la Cité-du-Havre, which provide a fishing spot with wide ranges of fish species. In the winter, Ice Fishing Events were held on the ice inside the old port.
Management
The Old Port is managed by the Old Port of Montreal Corporation, a subsidiary of Canada Lands Company, an arms length,self-financing Crown corporation reporting to the Parliament of Canada through the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. Although it is a subsidiary of Canada Lands, the Old Port reports directly to the government.