Dorchester Square

Dorchester Square is a leafy and large urban park in downtown Montreal surrounded by boutiques and skyscrapers; it is bordered by René-Lévesque Boulevard to the south, Peel Street to the west, Metcalfe Street to the east, and Dominion Street to the north. The elegantly manicured alleys are shadowed by mature trees and lead to four statues, each representing a segment of Canadian history (Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Boer War Memorial, which is the the only equestrian statue in Montreal, Lion of Belfort, and Robert Burns Statue). From spring to autumn, it almost bursts to the seams with smartly dressed office workers enjoying fresh air during their lunch break.
But what is currently known as Dominion Square used to be, in fact, two different squares: Dorchester Square and Place du Canada, which were both inaugurated in 1878. The recent reunification of the two created a new area just over 21,000 m2 (2.1 hectares), making it a focal point for pedestrian traffic in the district. Over the years, the site of the Square has served many purposes – even serving as a cemetery for the victims of the 1851 Cholera Epidemic; several small crosses have been added to the walkways to commemorate this former use. The park has just gone through significant renovations (including restoration of antique light posts and drinking fountains) and landscaping works, making it one of the nicest green spaces in downtown Montreal. 

Practical Info

Dorchester Square is very central and can be reached in a number of ways: by foot from shopping street Sainte-Catherine, by metro from Peel or Bonaventure stations, by train from Gare centrale, or even by car thanks to abundant metered parking spots in the nearby streets and an underground parking located under the square.