Project 365 – Day 226: A Clock tower with a view

By Montreal in Pictures | Published August 13, 2012

August 13 2012

I forget the last time I visited the top of the Montreal Clock Tower (Tour de l’Horloge) in the Old Port situated at the end of the Quai de l’Horloge, but today I climbed the 192 stairs to take in the view.

Designed by Montréal-based engineer Paul Leclaire, construction of the tower began on October 31 1919 with the Prince of Wales laying the cornerstone. The 45 metre tower took 2 years to complete and was constructed as a memorial to Canadian sailors who died in WWI, hence the tower also being known as the The Sailors’ Memorial Clock.

The mechanism is a replica to that of Big Ben in London and was manufactured by Gillett and Johnston in Croydon, England. Looking at the mechanism situated near the top of the tower reminded us of the film Hugo.

Inside the Clock Tower

Inside the Clock Tower
ISO 100 – 10mm – f4 – 1/40 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

View of Montreal through the clock face

View of Montreal through the clock face
ISO 100 – 11.5mm – f4.2 – 1/250sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

The viewing platform at the top of the tower is cramped but provides some great views of Montreal and the Saint Lawrence river.

Montreal skyline from the Clock Tower

Montreal skyline from the Clock Tower
ISO 100 – 11-5mm – f4.2 – 1/1250 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Montreal skyline from the Clock Tower

Montreal skyline from the Clock Tower
ISO 100 – 18mm – f10 – 1/200 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

View from the Clock Tower

View from the Clock Tower
ISO 100 – 28mm – f10 – 1/320 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

View from the Clock Tower

View from the Clock Tower
ISO 100 – 20mm – f5.6 – 1/400 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

The Jacques Cartier bridge from The Clock Tower

The Jacques Cartier bridge from The Clock Tower
ISO 100 – 40mm – f10 – 1/250 sec

I can never resist taking pictures of the Jacques Cartier Bridge and as I hadn’t yet taken one with the ND 3.0 filter I added another to the collection.

Long exposure of the Jacques Cartier Bridge

Long exposure of the Jacques Cartier Bridge
ISO 100 – 58mm – f29 – 120 sec

And a long exposure of the old warehouse turned condo complex.

Apartment building in Old Montreal

Apartment building in Old Montreal
ISO 100 – 42mm – f29 – 82 sec

For some reason I didn’t take a shot of the clock tower from the outside – thankfully though I’ve taken quite a few in the past here is one view and here’s another in less pleasant weather.

To view images in gallery format, simply click on one of the images below.

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Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.

– Martin

Related Images:

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5 Comments

  1. Sylvie August 14, 2012 at 8:10 pm #

    I really like the clock tower and old port serie. Great work Martin !

  2. marekzyskowski August 15, 2012 at 8:24 am #

    Great pics. I didn’t even know you can go in the clock tower.

    • Montreal in Pictures August 15, 2012 at 11:25 am #

      Thanks Marek…It’s a good workout and it’s FREE 😉

  3. gnelsongnome August 16, 2012 at 9:52 am #

    The Clock Tower is a favorite stop in Montreal. I remember when the apartment building when it was being refurbished from an abandonded industrial complex.

    • Montreal in Pictures August 16, 2012 at 1:09 pm #

      I recall my girlfriend and I going to check the condo’s when they were being built and stopped to talk with the security guy. He told us the story of him being on night duty and nodding off in his car to be suddenly woken by trains on the tracks (that run next to the building) shunting their cargo vans and he thought someone was firing a shotgun – we didn’t bother checking the condo’s any further 😉 The top 4 penthouses look nice though – I think one is currently on the market for a few million $$$