Maisonneuve Monument

Cultural Origin of Subject: France

Erected in 1895, this monument rises in the center of Place d’Armes to commemorate Paul de Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve.  Chomeday is credited with the founding of Montreal in  1642.  Chomeday, whose occupaton was as French military officer, is well known for having protected the city's early settlers from the aggressive Iroquois that surrounded the area.  This monument memorializes the strength and conviction of Francophone culture and its early historical roots in Montreal. The monument also has four additional sculptures at the base of the monument. They include:

Charles Le Moyne de Longueuil et de Châteauguay (1) – Lord of Longueuil, but most known for his explorations and skirmishes with First Nations groups.

1. Lambert Closse (2) – A Seargeant Major for the garrison at Ville-Marie, he is most known for his work fighting the Iroquois with creative and effective military tactics.

2. Jeanne Mance (3) -  An early settler of New France and co-founder of Montreal, she also is known for establishing the first hospital in North America in Montreal.

3. Iroquois figure (4) – A major First Nations group of the area, the inclusion of this figure represents Maisonneuve’s defense of Montreal against this tribe.