Things to do in Pointe-Saint-Charles

• Discover les sans-taverne, a worker cooperative in Bâtiment 7, a bar which picks up the thread of a district once known for having a tavern on every block. 

• Just steps from the iconic Farine Five Roses sign, where Pointe-Saint-Charles meets the Old Port, discover the art of glassmaking at Espace VERRE or explore the craft of blacksmithing at Les Forges de Montréal during a guided tour (included with the Passeport MTL).  

• For sports enthusiasts, in addition to Aventures H2O, try a game of pickleball at Club PKL, go climbing at Allez Up, or play a round of indoor golf in the friendly atmosphere at Le Muni. 

Best restaurants, cafés and bars in Pointe-Saint-Charles 

From classic poutine to new Québec cuisine, independent cafés to craft microbreweries, Pointe-Saint-Charles is packed with some of Montréal’s most beloved spots. I highly recommend Clarke Café for one of the city’s best Italian sandwiches, and Café Redwood for sipping coffee in a bright, welcoming space—two of my personal favourites. Discover our curated picks for a mouth-watering foodie itinerary in the neighbourhood. 

• Before the arrival of the colony: The area known today as the Pointe was once marshland called Teiontiakon by Indigenous peoples, who settled there in the spring and fall to hunt geese and fish.

• 1662: Marguerite Bourgeoys, the first teacher of Ville-Marie, received a land concession in Pointe-Saint-Charles and later acquired Maison Saint-Gabriel in 1668 to welcome the Filles du Roy (young women who received financial support from Louis XIV to settle in New France). The arrival of these women played a major role in the growth and development of the French colony.  

• 1821: To stay competitive with New York City as a maritime hub, the neighbourhood entered its industrial era with the construction of the Lachine Canal, completed in 1825. 
• 1847: Irish immigrants fled their country during the Great Famine and arrived in large numbers in Montreal. Of the 100,000 people who crossed the Atlantic in search of a better life in Canada, 75,000 landed in Montréal—even though the city’s population was only about 50,000 at the time. More than 6,000 died of Typhus and were buried in a mass grave near the site of what would later become the Victoria Bridge. 
• 1853: Construction began on the first bridge to span the St. Lawrence River—the Victoria Bridge—which opened in 1860. Much of the work was carried out by members of the Kahnawà:ke community (who also helped build many skyscrapers in New York City) alongside Irish workers. During construction, Irish labourers uncovered human remains and raised what is now known as the Black Rock: a memorial stone marking the mass grave of Irish immigrants who died of Typhus.  
• 1875: The second widening of the Lachine Canal was carried out largely by Irish labourers known as “canallers.” The canal’s expansion transformed Pointe-Saint-Charles into the largest industrial park in North America. 
• 1970: Replaced by the Saint Lawrence Seaway in 1959, the Lachine Canal closed to shipping, plunging the neighbourhood into a period of economic decline. 
• Today: Since the Lachine Canal reopened to recreational boating in 2002 and former industrial lands were redeveloped, the neighbourhood has experienced a revival, attracting young adults and families. Pointe-Saint-Charles stands out for its architectural heritage and strong community spirit.