"Marché Bonsecours / Bonsecours Market" Old Montreal Tip by tiabunna

As you head down through the Old Town, you cannot miss seeing the Marché Bonsecours. This very substantial building, dating from 1847, once housed the Canadian Parliament, but also has served as the Montréal City Hall before becoming the main markets for Montréal for over a century. Now it has been renovated and houses restaurants and upmarket shops selling a range of collectable, fashion and tourist-related products. I’m more attracted to things like newsagencies, camera and hardware shops, but looked in vain for one while Pauline happily chased souvenirs. The website link below has a listing of the shops currently there, should you be proposing a visit.

I considered putting this tip under “to do”, but finally decided that the main activity is shopping. Frankly, as far as the building itself is concerned, the outside is where the architectural interest lies: the interior has been fitted out with the shops in what appears to have been an empty shell (photo 2) – though I understand the upper level is fitted out with rooms.

What to buy: Collectable, fashion and tourist-related products

What to pay: Let's just say this is not an arcade of discount shops!

Address: 350 rue Saint-Paul
Theme: Other
Website: http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/marchebonsecours/