Old Montreal in Montréal, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)

Place Vauquelin

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 20, 2024

1. Place Vauquelin Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[Français] Partie du fief concède en 1658 à Lambert Closse, Lieutenant de Maisonneuve et un des premiers colons de Montréal. Cède aux jésuites en 1692, puis a la couronne en 1763. Prison commune de 1783 à 1836, on y exposait les criminels. Place publique depuis 1858.

[English] Part of the fief given in 1658 to Lambert Closse, Lieutenant of Maisonneuve and one of the first colonists of Montreal. This land was ceded to the Jesuits in 1692 and passed to the crown in 1763. Site of the city jail in 1836, where criminals were put on view. A public square since 1858.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Law Enforcement • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1658.

Location. 45° 30.516′ N, 73° 33.261′ W. Marker is in Montréal, Québec. It is in Old Montreal. It can be reached from Rue Notre-Dame Est just south of Rue Gosford, on the right when traveling south. The marker is mounted on the south facade of the Montréal

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City Hall building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 275 Rue Notre-Dame Est, Montréal QC H2Y 4B7, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jacques Viger (here, next to this marker); Jean Vauquelin (within shouting distance of this marker); Ancien Palais de Justice / The Old Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Horatio Nelson (within shouting distance of this marker); Le Château Ramezay / Château Ramezay (within shouting distance of this marker); The Nelson Column, Montreal (within shouting distance of this marker); Entrez dans l'histoire! / Step into History! (within shouting distance of this marker); Visitors Center (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montréal.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Place Vauquelin / Vauquelin Square

Also see . . . Place Vauquelin / Vauquelin Square (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: In 1846, the government of Lower Canada took over the prison and demolished it in 1850 so that it could build a new courthouse. The demolition of the old city jail freed up the space on the east side of the new courthouse. In 1858, that land was used to create a square
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 20, 2024

2. Place Vauquelin Marker
The marker is mounted on the left side of the Montréal City Hall south entrance.
called "Neptune Square". At its center, a fountain was built featuring a statue of Neptune, God of the Sea.
In 1902, the city of Montreal rented the land at the annual rate of one dollar. In 1924, following the reconstruction of City Hall, the square was renamed "City Hall Square" for a short time. Six years later, following a public subscription, the square was renamed Vauquelin Square and a statue of Jean Vauquelin, created by Paul-Eugène Benet, was erected within it. Vauquelin was a captain in the French navy who distinguished himself during the Siege of Louisbourg and the Battle of Neuville during the Seven Years' War.
In 2017, the Vauquelin square was reinaugurated following a restoration by Lemay for the 375th anniversary of Montreal, resulting in a redeveloped fountain and pool, urban furniture integration, planted trees, lighting and other landscape components.

(Submitted on May 24, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Montréal City Hall (<i>south elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 20, 2024

3. Montréal City Hall (south elevation)

The marker is on the left side of the leftmost doorway.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 24, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.