Square Saint-Louis is a public park in Montreal’s Le Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, known for its central fountain, public artworks and surrounding Victorian homes. It’s about an 11-minute walk from Hotel Victor, making the square a straightforward stop on foot.
- Location: Rue du Square Saint-Louis, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
- Walk: about 11 minutes
- Regular hours: 6:00 a.m. to midnight daily
- Nearby seasonal stop: Carré Saint-Louis Market, usually open May 1 to October 30
Walking to Square Saint-Louis
Head toward Rue du Square Saint-Louis in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal; the square sits near Saint-Denis Street and the Latin Quarter.
For a wider route through the city, pair the square with this one-day Montreal itinerary. If you’d rather use public transit for part of your outing, consult the Montreal metro and transit guide.
The square and its surroundings
At the centre of Square Saint-Louis, a fountain sits in a painted pool, with paths and promenades around it. The square lies between Rue St-Denis and Avenue Laval, at the foot of Prince-Arthur Street and across from the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec.
The City of Montréal lists four public artworks: Monument à Émile Nelligan, La Sainte Trinité, Fontaine du square and Monument à Louis-Octave Crémazie. The fountain itself is cast iron, with two basins arranged one above the other.
The square began as a reservoir called Saint-Jean-Baptiste, established in 1848 and inaugurated in 1851. After the McTavish Reservoir made it obsolete, the land became a public park and was later arranged as a square with a central fountain and surrounding promenades. The square’s name was officially adopted in 1997.
Architecture and nearby streets
Turn-of-the-century Victorian homes frame the square, and poet Émile Nelligan lived in the area. Take a loop along the edges to see the residential façades, then continue toward Saint-Denis Street or Prince-Arthur Street.
The Carré Saint-Louis Market is at 312 Square-Saint-Louis Street, on the corner of Rue Saint-Denis and Square Saint-Louis. Its usual season runs from May 1 to October 30, though seasonal offerings and opening times vary with the weather.
When to visit and what to check
The City of Montréal lists regular park hours as 6:00 a.m. to midnight every day. Its listed amenities include a fogger and a washroom; a temporary portable toilet is installed from May to October.
The market’s regular hours are Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Since market hours and seasonal offerings can change with the weather, check the official site before you go.
For the fountain’s history, look closely at its location: it dates to 1849, was installed in the eastern part of Viger Square in 1850, and moved to its current position in 1931 after Rue Berri was extended.
FAQs
Where is Square Saint-Louis?
It’s on Rue du Square Saint-Louis in Montreal’s Le Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, near Saint-Denis Street and the Latin Quarter.
How long is the walk?
It takes about 11 minutes on foot.
Is there a market at the square?
Yes. Carré Saint-Louis Market is at the corner of Rue Saint-Denis and Square Saint-Louis, and its usual season runs from May 1 to October 30.
What is the fountain’s history?
The cast-iron fountain dates to 1849 and has stood at its current location since 1931.