1255 Saint-Joseph Boulevard – Lachine

Located along the historic Promenade Père-Marquette and facing the imposing Convent of the Sisters of Sainte-Anne, this modest yet significant stone building tells a rich story of Quebec’s economic and colonial past. Constructed in 1803, the warehouse originally served as a key fur storage and trading site, strategically positioned beside the Lachine Canal to allow easy access for canoes and boats transporting goods. Its architecture—a simple, single-storey rectangular stone structure—reflects the utilitarian style of early 19th-century commercial buildings.

The fur trade, central to the economic development of New France and later British North America, dominated the region’s economy from the 17th to the early 19th century. Beaver pelts, in particular, were highly sought after in Europe for hat-making, driving exploration, settlement, and complex trade networks with Indigenous nations. The site was purchased by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1833, a major player in the fur trade and one of the oldest commercial corporations in the world. In 1861, the property was sold to the Sisters of Sainte-Anne, a religious congregation known for its role in education and healthcare.

Since 1985, the building has served as a museum, preserving and presenting this layered history. It offers a tangible connection to themes taught in schools—colonial expansion, commerce, and Indigenous-European relations—making it a valuable educational resource. Surrounded by the charm of the old canal, mature trees, and riverside paths, a visit to the site evokes a strong sense of place and time. Walking here truly feels like stepping back into an earlier chapter of Montreal’s history, where commerce, culture, and community once converged along the water’s edge.

Other place to visit in the area: Parc Rene-Levesque, Fleming Mill, LeBer-LeMoyne House and Lachine Museum.

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