Montreal In Pictures

Feb 29 2012

Since today was an extra day I decided to concentrate on a single theme – TIME.

Most of the clocks included in this quick review of clocks to be found in Montreal are in and around the old port – give one or 2 exceptions. The one selected as photo of the day is the clock on City Hall (rue Notre Dame) photographed from Place Jacques Cartier. I was quite pleased how the bokeh came out on this one.

City Hall Clock from Place Jacques Cartier

I grabbed another shot of the City Hall clock, taken from the elevated walkway on the Quai Jacques Cartier so as to include the Hotel Nelson in the shot.

City Hall Clock with Hotel Nelson in the foreground

I couldn’t do a post of clocks in the Old Port without including a shot of the Clock Tower on the Quai de l’Horlage. I was hoping to get a shot of it lit up, but was a bit early and was in a rush.

Clock Tower on Quai de l’Horlage

At the other end of the Old Port is the Museum of Archaeology and History – with another clock to shoot.

Clock on the Montreal Museum of Archaelogy and History

Clock on the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History

Close by to the museum on rue de la Commune is the 357C private members club run by local businessman Daniel Langlois’ Art Foundation.

Clock on the 357C private club on rue de la Commune

On rue McGill opposite Place d’Youville is the Grand Trunk Railway building which I noticed has a nicely decorated clock.

Grand Trunk Railway building clock

I actually photographed the following clock on the corner of rue Saint Jacques and rue Saint Pierre at the start of my clock hunting walk, but passed it again when it was lit and saw it reflecting in the window, so decided to grab another shot – as if I didn’t already have enough clocks.

Clock on corner of rue Saint Jacques and rue Saint Pierre

Along rue Saint Paul I found a few more clocks for the photo collection.

Clock on rue Saint Paul – needs a new battery

l’Usine de Spaghetti Restaurant clock

On Place d’armes there are 2 specific clocks I wanted to capture. The first is on the Saint Sulpice Seminary (next to Notre Dame Cathederal).

Clock on Saint Sulpice Seminary

The second clock on Place d’Armes is on the beautiful New York Life building – which when built in 1888 was the tallest building in Canada. Another clock with the wrong time.

New York Life building clock on Place d’Armes

Next door to the New York Life is the wonderful Art Deco style Aldred building. I hadn’t noticed the clock over the entrance before, but guess tonight I was hyper sensitive to ticking clocks – But maybe not in this case since it looks like it needs winding up (or a new battery).

Aldred Building entrance clock

The French newspaper – LaPresse – have a wonderful antique clock hanging on the corner of their offices on rue Saint Laurent and rue Saint Jacques.

La Presse clock

On rue Sainte Catherine is Henry Birks and Sons – an upmarket jewelry store which has a magnificent clock over the main entrance. I was pleased I hit this area of town at dusk and so it was nicely lit up to show it off at its best.

Henry Birks and Sons on rue Sainte Catherine

The final clock I shot on this brisk tour of some of Montreal’s finest clocks was at the entrance to McGill University on Sherbrooke street.

Birks clock at entrance to McGill University on rue Sherbrooke

Well at least I discovered that there are still lots of public clocks in Montreal – but given many don’ have the right time, still best to wear a wrist watch or – like so many people these days – check your phone. Maybe I’ll revisit this theme on March 11 for daylight saving day. So if you know of any great clocks in Montreal, let me know in the comments!

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