مونتريال
The Vieux-Port is Montreal's Old Port, on the St. Lawrence River. Today it is a park with promenades and bike paths, open to everyone.
The waterway
The St. Lawrence River links Montreal to the Atlantic Ocean. The first settlers arrived this way in 1642, followed by the fur traders. The first piers were built around 1760. In 1825 the Lachine Canal opened, letting boats get past the rapids.
The great port
In 1830 a commission was set up to enlarge the port. From 1850 a deeper channel was dug in the river. Then came the trains: in 1886 the first train to cross Canada left from here. In 1898 the government built concrete piers and steel warehouses.
The port moves
In 1959 a waterway to the Great Lakes opened, and ships no longer had to stop here. The port moved farther east. In 1981 a company was created to turn the old piers into a park.
A park on the river
In 1982 the demolition of the old port buildings began. The new Vieux-Port was inaugurated in 1992. Today there are promenades and bike paths along the water.
