Marché Jean-Talon

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Main entrance on Henri-Julien Avenue

The Jean-Talon Market (French: Marché Jean-Talon) is one of Montreal's four farmers' market located in Montreal's Little Italy, which is located in the Montreal borough of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. It is named in honour of Jean Talon.

1 Location & Access
2 History
3 Activities
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Location & Access

It occupies an entire block bordered by Jean-Talon St. to the north, Mozart Ave. to the south, Casgrain Ave. to the west and Henri-Julien Ave. to the east. It contains two city-maintained streets both called Place du Marché du Nord. The market is located in proximity to the Jean-Talon metro station.

Since July 15, 2006 vehicles are banned from circulating inside the market's streets during the summer weekends. ^[1]

[edit] History

The market was opened to the public in 1933 while Camilien Houde was the city mayor. Before that, the space the market now occupies was a lacrosse field for the "Shamrock Lacrosse Grounds" club.

The market's single building (the chalet) quickly become the focal point for development of the area around it. From the opening until 1961, the chalet was used as a terminal for buses heading to the neighbouring city of Laval. Between 1961 and 1970 a municipal library and a social services centre replaced the bus station. Since then, the space was occupied by administrative offices.

Major renovations were undertaken in 2004 to handle the crowds that populate the market during the summer months. An underground parking lot was constructed, and the central building was expanded to host 20 specialty boutiques.

[edit] Activities

The market is open year-round, even during Montreal's rigorous winters, although during this time walls are placed around the entire market area. During the peak summer period, between June and October, its open-air arcades are occupied by about 300 vendors, mostly farmers from the countryside around Montreal.

The open air market is surrounded by other food businesses: meat, fish and cheese stores, bulk food emporia, dealers in spices and imported goods, bakeries, restaurants and a branch of the SAQ, among others.