Old Montreal in Montréal in Communauté-Urbaine-de-Montréal, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)
L’Ancien Édifice de la Douane / The Old Custom House
Photographed By PaulwC3, March 28, 2014
1. L’Ancien Édifice de la Douane / The Old Custom House Marker
Erected between 1836 and 1838, this striking Palladian-style custom house is the work of John Ostell, one of the most important Montréal architects of the period. The building is distinguished by an elegant façade embellished with pilasters and a wide pediment. Strategically sited on the former marketplace and facing the river, it signaled the rise of Montréal as a commercial centre and the city’s new role as a metropolis. The building housed the customs service until 1871, and has maintained its harmonious appearance despite extensive enlargements in 1881-1882
Erected 2001 by Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada / Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
this page online
Location. 45° 30.192′ N, 73° 33.255′ W. Marker is in Montréal, Québec, in Communauté-Urbaine-de-Montréal. It is in Old Montreal. Marker is at the intersection of D'Youville Place and Place Royale, on the right when traveling north on D'Youville Place. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 Rue Saint Paul Ouest, Montréal QC H2Y 3Y5, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Aux origines de Montréal / The origins of Montréal (within shouting distance of this marker); Joe Beef’s Canteen (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Montréal’s Founders and First Colonists Monument (about 90 meters away); Jeanne Mance (about 150 meters away); Kondiaronk and Callière (about 180 meters away); History of Basilique Notre Dame de Montréal (about 240 meters away); La Basilique Notre-Dame / Notre-Dame Basilica (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Saint-Laurent Boulevard (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montréal.
Regarding L’Ancien Édifice de la Douane / The Old Custom House. The building is now part of the Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History complex. It houses exhibits and the underneath the building and forecourt
Photographed By PaulwC3, March 28, 2014
2. Wide view of the L’Ancien Édifice de la Douane / The Old Custom House Marker
Also see . . . Former Montréal Custom House National Historic Site of Canada. The Former Montréal Custom House was designated a national historic site in 1997 because:
- it is a remarkably fine example of Palladian architecture in Canada designed by John Ostell, one of the most important Montréal architects of his day;
- the construction of the custom house marked the end of Montréal's lesser importance in comparison with the Port of Québec; and
- the building serves as testimony to the growing importance and independence of the city in the early decades of the 19th century. (Submitted on April 8, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
Photographed By PaulwC3, March 28, 2014
3. L’Ancien Édifice de la Douane / The Old Custom House (1838)
Photographed By PaulwC3, March 28, 2014
4. Remains of the L’Ancien Édifice de la Douane / The Old Custom House Fountain
On display in the Pointe-à-Callière underground archaeological crypt which is part of the Where Montréal Was Born exhibit.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 651 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 7, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 4. submitted on April 9, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
