Without even having disembarked from the river shuttle that takes us to Vieux-Pointe-aux-Trembles, we see cranes that bear witness to the ongoing revitalization of its village heart.
But you shouldn’t wait until the end of the work to visit The tip of the islandin particular to see the screening of the same name of Cité Mémoire which can be seen at nightfall until September at the Place du Village.
Especially since the parish of Pointe-aux-Trembles, the second oldest in Montreal, is celebrating its 350th anniversary with festivities until September. Matt Holubowski and FouKi have already given shows there, and historical events, outdoor cinema and sailing and rowing are still planned.
The best way to get there from the city center? By river shuttle. We can’t stress enough how this is the best form of public transportation, with incredible views of the city center and a feeling of being on vacation, hair blowing in the wind1.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Navark river shuttles arrive at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste quay in Pointe-aux-Trembles, coming from the Old Port or Varennes.
For several more Saturdays, the public market will liven up the Place du Village-de-la-Pointe-aux-Trembles, while the Buvette du quai will be open from Thursday to Sunday.
During our visit, on a Tuesday evening, we witnessed – and were charmed! – the daily life of the Pointeliers. People were fishing on the quay, children were throwing stones into the river while watching the merchant ships go by, while a yoga class was taking place in the Fort park.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
A yoga class by the river
Then, when night fell, we witnessed The tip of the island, the series of 25 interactive and immersive scenes from Cité Mémoire projected on the ground. A design by Michel Lemieux, while Michel Marc Bouchard signs the text of the soundtrack (to be downloaded in advance via the free application of Montréal en Histoires).
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Our journalist’s children loved the Cité Mémoire experience.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The projections react to our steps.
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There is a reference to the landing of the British army in 1760, to the time of the Montreal Hunt Club, founded in 1826, and to the heyday of Bissonnette Beach on Sainte-Thérèse Island, just opposite.
Pointe-aux-Trembles is the gateway to Montreal by river. It is an important historical anchorage.
Martin Laviolette, producer of Cité Mémoire and founder of the organization Montréal en Histoires
We learned that the name Pointe-aux-Trembles comes from Jacques-Cartier and that a fire ravaged its village heart in 1912. However, its reconstruction resulted in the transformation of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street into a boulevard inspired by the City Beautiful movement, with a median lined with trees and street lamps (like Morgan Boulevard in the former city of Maisonneuve).
In 1914, the Roussin Academy, a secondary school, was built. Today, it is a community center with a swimming pool, a café, a performance hall named after two original Pointeliers (Marie-Claire and Richard Séguin), and it is the home of the Station VU neighborhood cinema.
Reviving PAT’s downtown
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The demolition of old buildings is underway to build others for which the aim is to obtain LEED certification. Ultimately, there will be around ten shops and a hundred rental units.
Let’s be honest: right now, there are few options for grabbing a bite to eat in what is nicknamed Vieux-PAT, unlike other waterfront areas like Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, on the western tip of the island.2.
Fortunately, since 2019, the Angus Development Corporation has had a mandate to revitalize Old Pointe-aux-Trembles.
This is a major project. We want to improve the living environment so that it is as pleasant as possible to use.
Stéphane Ricci, Vice President of Development at the Angus Development Corporation
The historic district of Vieux-Pointe-aux-Trembles was its downtown before its annexation to Montreal in 1982, explains urban planner Stéphane Ricci, vice-president of development at the Société de développement Angus, who grew up nearby, on Route 14e Avenue, and which still remains in the neighborhood. It was a once lively commercial corner that suffered, like many others in Quebec, from the arrival of shopping centers.
The Angus Development Corporation has acquired seven buildings around the intersection of Notre-Dame Street East and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard. “It’s a mixed project. There will be businesses on the ground floor and affordable housing on the upper floors,” explains Stéphane Ricci. “We want local and independent businesses to have a local, cutting-edge identity.” It’s the result of consultations and workshops with the population and with historian Martin Landry.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The Church of the Holy Child Jesus
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The old presbytery
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The heritage house at 76, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The barn will be renovated.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
All this near the quay accessible to all.
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The heritage house at 76, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste will be transformed into a café, while a barn will be transformed into a sort of refreshment bar. The Saint-Enfant-Jésus church, in the heart of the second oldest parish in Montreal, will become a cultural venue – it already hosts a circus company – while the presbytery will become a country-style restaurant with a terrace overlooking the river.
These are exceptional locations. The village heart has been well preserved with heritage buildings. And there is a very strong community spirit.
Stéphane Ricci, Vice President of Development at the Angus Development Corporation
The Angus Development Corporation claims that Old Pointe-aux-Trembles will be as charming as villages in the Lower St. Lawrence, while being accessible by public transportation and river shuttle. “There is enormous potential,” insists Stéphane Ricci.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGUS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
An image of the future Old PAT that we hope will become reality.
The work is in its first phase and should be completed in 2026. We will therefore have to be patient. Until then, the images of the project are inspiring and arousing great expectations.
1. Read the article “Boat, work and sleep”
2. Read the article “In vacation mode in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue”
Visit the project website