Parc Jean-Drapeau

Parc Jean-Drapeau is one of the most interesting and varied parks in the Montreal area. Even for those who don't cross the water to visit, the geodesic dome of the Biosphere, the old Martello tower and the Alexander Calder stabile Man are visible from the Old Port as a reminder of different eras of the city's history.

The park encompasses two islands: Île Sainte-Hélène, named in honour of Hélène Boullé, the young wife of explorer Samuel de Champlain, and Île Notre-Dame, which is entirely man-made. Originally, Île Sainte-Hélène had been on its own in that part of the river, with only tiny Île Ronde downstream. The island was used as an army base during the War of 1812 and became a city park in 1874. The islands exist in their present form due to work done in preparation for Expo 67, the international world's fair held 40 years ago. In the early 1960s Île Notre-Dame was built alongside Île Sainte-Hélène, using earth and rocks dug up during excavations for the metro system, and the original island was enlarged to encompass Île Ronde east of the bridge, now the site of the La Ronde amusement park.

The park, known variously as "Man and His World" and "Parc des Îles", was renamed in honour of Mayor Jean Drapeau, under whose administration the city embarked on the international exposition project, after his death in 1999.

During Expo 67 Île Notre-Dame was covered in pavilions linked by canals and footbridges. After the event was over, buildings were gradually removed from the island, leaving only the pavilions of France and Quebec, which have been renovated and linked, and turned into the Montreal Casino. The island now includes the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, used for Grand Prix and other car races, a man-made beach and various bike paths.

/>When Île Sainte-Hélène was enlarged, much of the parkland was preserved, as can be seen in this photo from the era. After Expo 67, most of the pavilions were removed from the western end of the island, but the erstwhile U.S. pavilion, Buckminster Fuller's biggest geodesic dome, was left as a gift to the city. It has since been turned into the Biosphere, a museum and study centre about water and ecosystems. The tower and roof piece of the Korean pavilion are now used as a bus shelter not far from the metro station but no other pavilions remain on the island.

Île Sainte-Hélène has features dating back well before Expo 67. The old military fort houses the David M. Stewart Museum and the Festin du Gouverneur restaurant, which hosts groups to a re-enactment of 18th-century banquets. Another restaurant, the tonier Hélène de Champlain, is nearby. A vintage Martello tower, uphill in the park, has been restored in recent years. There is also the Calder stabile and a second large sculpture along the city-side shore, La ville imaginaire, by Portuguese sculptor João Charters de Almeida, given to Montreal by the city of Lisbon to mark the 30th anniversary of the metro system in 1996. There are also a number of smaller sculptures in various spots in the park. The swimming pools were upgraded and enlarged to host the Fédération internationale de natation games in 2005.

Île Notre-Dame also has a man-made beach open during the summer months. In winter the park offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and skating on the Île Notre-Dame basins. The park is also the site of the Fête des Neiges held over several weekends in midwinter.

Despite all the installations and services in the park, Île Sainte-Hélène still has some pleasantly idyllic walks that are relatively uncrowded and unfrequented. From the higher points of the island, near the tower, there are some incomparable views of the city skyline.

To get to the park take the metro's yellow line to metro Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène, and walk. From the station you can also take the 167 bus to Île Notre-Dame and the Casino, but the distances are easily walkable for the able-bodied and the park is well signposted. The islands are linked by the Pont de la Concorde and by a foot bridge not far from the metro station. You can also drive to the park, taking the well-marked exit from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge in either direction; there are large pay parking lots down by the river.

Official website Société du parc Jean-Drapeau
1 circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
Île Notre-Dame Montreal H3C 1A9
514-872-6120
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