The built heritage of Laval includes preserved structures that represent the history, culture and heritage of Laval. The city is rich in beautiful and diversified built heritage. They are part of, not only the city’s landscape, but its history, as well.

The 1700s
Located at 9770 boulevard de Mille-Îles, you’ll find the Therrien House, which was built around 1722 and belonged to the Beauchamp family. In 1846, Charles Therrien bought the house. His family will own it for 140 years. In 1934 and 2007, the house was significantly modified and restored. In 1974, the Therrien house was classified as a heritage location. Its French-inspired architecture gives character to this one-and-a-half floor home, which is well known by its small, square windows. The roof has two straight slopes and is covered with cedar shingles. Skylights were also added in 2007.

The Joseph-Labelle House, located at 570 boulevard des Mille-Îles, was built between 1735 and 1743 for Michel Charles, a wealthy resident of Laval. In 1837, Joseph Labelle acquired the property, and in 1975 it was named a heritage site. Like the Therrien House, the Joseph-Labelle House is of a French-inspired architecture. It is one floor and a half and also has a gable roof. However, certain architectural adaptations have been made to accommodate the Quebec climate.

The 1800s
The André-Benjamin-Papineau House was built between 1820 and 1830. It is currently located at 5475 boulevard Saint-Martin Ouest and has been restored as an art gallery. Protected under the Cultural Property Act, it is one of Laval’s largest heritage acquisitions. André-Benjamin Papineau, an important figure in the history of Île Jésus, lived in the house from 1832 to 1886. He was a notary, a member of Parliament for Terrebonne, and the first mayor of Saint-Martin, from 1855 to 1860. The André-Benjamin-Papineau House was named a heritage property in 1974, following the threat of demolition for the construction of Highway 13.

Located at 5443 boulevard Lévesque Est, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church was built between 1854 and 1875, the same time as Collège Laval. Intendant Gilles Hocquart authorized the project in 1740. The plans of the church were designed by architect Victor Bourgeau and are of neo-Roman inspiration.

The 1900s
More than 30,000 vehicles and 1,000 pedestrians and cyclists traveling between Montreal and Laval use the Pont Viau every single day. It was originally built in 1929. The first bridge to be built at this location was built in 1847. It was a toll bridge made of wood. In 1887, the first wooden bridge was destroyed and replaced by a steel bridge. Facilitating travel between Laval and Montreal allowed a large number of people to live near the bridge and the outskirts of Montreal, which was quickly developing. In 1929, the City of Montreal bought the Pont Viau and rebuilt it in concrete. At the time, the bridge was called Pont Des Roches and later became the Ahuntsic Bridge. In 1978 the bridge officially took the name of Pont Viau.

The Saint-Maurice-de-Duvernay church, located at 1961 rue Ivry, was built from 1961 to 1962. The Archbishop of Montreal, Cardinal Paul-Émile Léger, authorized its construction on June 14th, 1958. The architect in charge was Roger D’Astous and his work was greatly inspired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Still today, the church is considered to be a major work of modern architecture in Quebec. Several materials were used for its construction including concrete, stone, wood and copper. Inside the church, there is a stained glass window by Jean- Paul Mousseau. The interior arrangement allows closeness between the priest and the parishioners.

From Auteuil to Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, through Chomedey, Duvernay, Laval-sur-le-Lac, Pont-Viau and Saint-François, we can see the City of Laval is full of treasures and wonders of the past that make Laval what it is now. The heritage of the city of Laval is a reflection of the ways of thinking, values and beliefs of the men and women who built Laval throughout the ages. For more information, visit laval.ca.

Translated by Maria Barillaro