Saint-Michel

Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension · 58 photographs · 1947–1975

At Parc Frédéric-Back, the spheres cover biogas collection wells on the site of a former limestone quarry and landfill. Montée Saint-Michel, now Boulevard Saint-Michel, opened in 1707 to link Ville-Marie with Sault-au-Récollet, beside the Rivière des Prairies. Felled ash trees provide wood for benches, while material scaled from the quarry cliffs goes into new paths and trails. The Miron and Francon quarries previously supplied jobs for working families, including Italian immigrants; their limestone helped build Sainte-Justine hospital, Place Ville-Marie and Complexe Desjardins.

The quarries’ adverse effects also prompted protests that brought community organizations together, including the Association pour la défense des droits des Michélois and Vivre Saint-Michel en santé. At Francon, the former excavation serves as a disposal site for snow cleared from city streets. In 1995, Cirque du Soleil purchased part of the former Miron quarry site to bring its artistic and administrative operations together. The National Circus School opened on Second Avenue in 2003, followed by the TOHU in 2004.

Key places

Frédéric-Back park : former quarry and landfill transformed into parkland.
Francon quarry : former limestone extraction and snow disposal site.
Cirque du Soleil : artistic and administrative operations on the former Miron site.
National Circus School : school inaugurated in 2003.
TOHU : venue opened in 2004.