Bonsecours Market

With its gleaming silver dome, Bonsecours Market is another iconic symbol of Montreal. It’s an impressive sight—so much that it ranks among the top 10 most beautiful buildings in Canada, as listed by the federal government. When it was built in 1847, the architect imagined a monument that would reflect the good taste and generosity of Montreal’s citizens, so that visitors would see a beautiful yet thriving city. At the time, Montreal was still the capital of the French-speaking province of Canada, and this big public market was built as a true urban centre, featuring multiple market halls, meeting rooms, concert venues, and private residences. It quickly became the colony’s social and cultural hub. Today, the building is home to the headquarters of the Quebec Crafts Council as well as the Montreal Institute of Design. It features several exhibition spaces, restaurants, and boutiques, remaining an important cultural venue that regularly hosts festivals and trade shows. One of its most popular events is the World Press Photo exhibition—the world’s most prestigious photojournalism competition. If you pass by at night, you’ll notice that the market is beautifully lit—and that lighting isn’t just decorative, it also indicates the time! A flash of light signals the hour, while four different colors alternate between every quarter of an hour. Right beside, you’ll find the Bonsecours Chapel, the oldest stone chapel in Montreal. It was built in 1771 on the ruins of an earlier chapel from 1675, named after the wooden statue brought to the city by Marguerite Bourgeoys and still housed in the chapel’s left side altar. Together, the market and the chapel form one of Old Montreal’s most picturesque and historic corners—a place where trade, culture, and faith have coexisted for centuries.