Exploration

Back to IntroInteractive Map
1

Everyone to Parliament!

2

The Present-Day Place D'Youville

3

Place Royale

4

Place d’Armes

5

Notre-Dame Street

6

Champ-de-Mars

Interactive VersionPedagogic ResourcesAboutContact usSite MapFrançais

You are about to access the interactive version of the site.

This version is designed to provide a more immersive experience, presenting all content in a dynamic and interactive way.

Would you like to proceed to the interactive version?

Yes, interactive version
Back
fr

Château Ramezay

Detail from a 19th-century illustration of Château Ramezay. The one-storey, rectangular building is surrounded by trees and a low stone wall. A British flag stands in front of the château.

John Henry Walker, “Château Ramezay, Montréal” (detail), McCord Stewart Museum, M930.50.3.172.

Government House was one of the capital’s key places. It was here that the governor worked with his Executive Council and civil servants.

But this historic building was already well known in another role… as the former residence of Governor Claude de Ramezay, and later of the intendants. It was subsequently acquired by the Compagnie des Indes. Its story is almost legendary!

A Prestigious Building Inherited from the French Regime

19th-century illustration of Château Ramezay. The one-storey, rectangular building is surrounded by trees and a low stone wall. A British flag flies in front of the château.

John Henry Walker, “Château Ramezay, Montréal”, McCord Stewart Museum, M930.50.3.172.

Built in 1705, the residence of Claude de Ramezay, Governor of Montréal, was then considered the finest home in Canada. After the governor’s death in 1724, the château often changed roles, successively housing commercial, political, educational and administrative institutions.

In 1778, the government of Lower Canada purchased it to make it a local seat of the provincial administration. This role became even more important in 1844, when Montréal became the capital of the Province of Canada.