Nuns' Island History

Formerly known as island Saint-Paul, the island was cultivated since 1670. It was then the property of Jacques Le Ber, and was include in a wider land named Saint-Paul stronghold. In 1668, the population of the island was around 20 peoples.

In the year 1695 the religious congregation Notre-Dame took possession of a part of the island after receiving it as a gift on behalf of one of the Jacques Le Ber daughter. They will buy thereafter in 1706 most of the island. In 1769 they will become the full owners of the island. They start the construction of a mansion in 1790 and then cultivated about the third of the island surface.

In 1955, an amount of 1.300.000 dollars was versed to the Sisters of the Notre-Dame congregation for the acquisition of the island by the company Quebec Home (in fact an American firm).

In 1960, two kids of 11 and 12 years old set on fire the old mansion of the Sisters for the simple pleasure of seeing the firemen stop the fire! Here goes in smoke the only historical residence of the island.

Nuns' Island today.

With its little wood, the Battures Lake (created in 1990 from a marsh) and its bicycles path, Nuns' Island is one of the most beautiful place to live in the Montreal area. Although very inhabited because of all condominium and apartments towers, the place preserves a good balance between nature and urbanization.