Bonsecours Market, in Vieux Montreal, is a bustling gallery of shops selling arts and crafts, leather goods and garments. The sprawling 19th century neoclassical building - with its long facade, a colonnaded portico, and a silvery dome - makes a visit worthwhile. Since it was built, the imposing structure has been everything from a farmers market to a concert theatre to a brief stint as city hall.
Inside, shops stock everything from Inuit art and locally made jewelry to luxurious made-in-Canada beaver coats. Over at the Diffusion Griff' 3000 boutique, you can browse the creations of some of Québec's finest designers. Also here is an exhibition hall, which showcases displays on history and culture; three restaurants, which line the facade on rue St-Paul; and a dozen or so art galleries.
Bonsecours Market is located on rue St-Paul, at the foot of rue St-Claude, on the east end of the Vieux Montreal. It’s in walking distance to all the Vieux Montreal attractions, including the Notre-Dame Basilica and Jacques Cartier Place, as well as the Vieux Port. Bonsecours Market is easily accessible by bus and Metro.