May 5 2012
In 2006, the City of Montreal reduced the number of calèche permits by half and only 24 can now be found providing tour guides in the city. Each permit owner can have a few horses which are checked twice a year by a veterinarian. Horses also cannot be put to work between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. once the temperature hits 30C.
The calèches have been in the news quite a bit of late. The main stable, the Horse Palace in Griffintown, is under threat of demolition by condo developers. Constructed around 150 years ago, it’s one of the oldest stables in continuous use in Montreal. I plan to go get some shots of the stables one day.
A few weeks ago one of the calèche horses bolted when the driver was adjusting the bridle. The 5 year old horse Ulysse was caught a few blocks away, but not before a passenger was thrown from the carriage and slightly injured. Despite the hundreds of rides made each year, this was a very rare incident
Some would like to see the Calèche removed from Montreal streets, including the SPCA. I for one would be sad to no longer see them on the cobbled streets of Old Montreal.
Calèches waiting for clients at Place d’Armes
Calèche in Old Montreal
Calèche in Old Montreal
Calèche in Old Montreal
Calèche in Old Montreal
To view images in gallery format, simply click on one of the images below.
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.
– Martin
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