ARCHITECT

Adalbert Niklewicz

ARTIST

Marcelle Ferron

OPENING DATE

14 October 1966

This station's kiosk, angled up southward to receive sunlight better, is graced with a glorious set of stained-glass windows letting in the sunlight from three sides. The vivid abstract forms splash gaily coloured light across the kiosk and down into the shallow platform, providing a spectacular rainbow-coloured burst to passengers as their trains roll through.

The antique stained glass, installed in 1968 through the sponsorship of the government of Quebec, is by the Automatiste painter Marcelle Ferron. It is spectacular both by day and, from outside the station, by night.

It is also of historical significance as the only piece of abstract art to be sponsored and installed in the initial network, in defiance of the existing art policy and as a witness to the artistic revolution gripping Quebec when it was created. It is without question the most gorgeous work of art in the metro, and no visit to the metro should omit it.

To provide a muted surface for the colours to play on, the walls of the platform and kiosk are done in blue and cream tiles.

Just outside the station, a walkway leads across the Autoroute Ville-Marie to a series of tunnels that allow pedestrians to negotiate the tangle of offramps there, allowing access to Old Montreal. It terminates with three metro-like exit kiosks, including one near City Hall in Champ de Mars park. Unfortunately, this tunnel, which belongs to the city, has been poorly maintained, and the viaduct on rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville to the west of the station is much easier to negotiate. The tunnel may be replaced if and when the autoroute is decked over.