Verdun

Built in 1710 on the St. Lawrence waterfront, Maison Nivard-De Saint-Dizier housed farming families for nearly two centuries. It stands on a former Indigenous campsite. The residential Desmarchais-Crawford area, dating from the 1940s, follows the aqueduct canal. Wellington Street brings together shops and restaurants, while métro stations connect Verdun with downtown Montréal. Founded in 1875, the former municipality became a Montréal borough in 2002. Cyclists, pedestrians and skateboarders share the active transport network.

On Boulevard LaSalle, the Natatorium’s Art Deco architecture forms part of the riverfront landscape and the neighbourhood’s shared recreational life. Deterioration of its reinforced concrete and structural problems have driven debate about its preservation. The Auditorium underwent a different intervention: its original brick facade, concealed behind a steel wall, was uncovered and restored. A central space beneath a large glass roof now connects the arenas. Maison Nivard-De Saint-Dizier now houses a museum connecting the building with its outdoor site through Indigenous and colonial histories.

Key places

• Maison Nivard-De Saint-Dizier : house built in 1710 on a former Indigenous campsite.
• Wellington Street : shops and restaurants along the Well.
• Desmarchais-Crawford : 1940s residential area beside the canal.
• Natatorium : Art Deco building on Boulevard LaSalle.
• Auditorium : restored brick facade and glazed connection between the arenas.