Verdun

Verdun is not far from the centre of Montreal but is boxed in by the expressways Decarie and Ville Marie, so it feels a bit out of the way. Some people say it feels like a village. If so, it is a lively one. Rue Wellington is seldom quiet. The resto-bar beside my apartment, La Belle Province, has a steady crowd of regulars, and weather permitting, you can hear a good number of them talking or shouting or laughing or arguing outside while they smoke.

I’ve tried to express a few words about Verdun.  In this short video, I claim that people are too busy working to be ostentatious in Verdun, but watching it after the fact, I must conclude that I am a possible exception.

Here are a few things I’ve found out about Verdun since living there.  I am recalling all this from memory, which might be hazy.

It was founded around 1670.  Bars have always been banned in Verdun.  The original Irish and Italian workers were expected to buy from the “depanneurs” and go home and drink.  Even today, the law dictates that to buy alcohol in licensed establishments you must also buy food.  Verdun is approximately 85 per cent francophone.  The local paper is the Messager de Verdun.  It comes to our door every week. 

The tour of Verdun continues in slideshow format.

I hope you have enjoyed the tour of the neighbourhood I currently call home.

Laurence