Following on from yesterday’s post and multiple pictures of the spiral staircase in the Roger Gaudry Pavilion at the Université de Montréal, today I have some more shots of the beautiful Art Deco style architecture of the main Roger-Gaudry pavilion.
The francophone institution comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal. With more than More than 55,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs, UdeM is the second largest university in Canada in terms of student enrolment (1st being University of Toronto with 75,000 students).
Out of interest, I looked up the student numbers for each of the 4 Montréal universities:
Université de Montréal – 55,540
Concordia University – 43,944
Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) – 41,670
McGill University – 32,514
The location of the current campus on the western slope of Mount Royal in the district of NDG dates back to 1943 upon the completion of the Roger-Gaudry Pavilion designed by Ernest Cormier. The building was started in 1930, but was delayed with the financial crisis of the 30’s.
Together with the nearby Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, the dome topped 16 story high tower form an impressive sight to the western slope of Mount Royal.
In the following picture, taken at the rear of the Roger Gaudry Pavilion, on the right hand side is the École Polytechnique de Montréal – one of Canada’s leading engineering schools. Unfortunately it made world headlines on December 6, 1989, when 14 women were killed in the École Polytechnique massacre.
Unfortunately we weren’t able to access the main entrance of the Roger-Gaudry Pavilion, but did get to wander some of the corridors.
The Student accommodation blocks are not the most beautiful looking buildings, but have a certain style to them.
I came across a couple of sculptures on the walk around the campus.
The first is located near the Claire McNicoll Pavilion. The Concrete untitled sculpture is the work of Robert Roussil completed in 1985.
The second sculpture was done by French sculpture Maxime Real Del Sarte (1888-1954) in 1944 called Jeanne au Bûcher.
I’m sure I missed some other interesting buildings and should make an effort to visit this area of Montreal a bit more often.
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.
– Martin
Montréal in Pictures
Your virtual guide in and around Montréal