Visiting Longueuil, Quebec: Fine Views of the World's Tallest Inclined Tower at Montreal's Olympic Stadium
Reaching for the skies
From Longueuil, Quebec may be obtained fine views of the world's tallest leaning structure: the tower of the Stade Olympique de Montréal / Olympic Stadium of Montreal, which rises to 175 metres.
A particularly good vantage point from which to see this striking building is from Parc Marie-Victorin. From there, the tower may be seen across the waters of the Saint-Laurent / Saint-Lawrence.
I have included two photos taken from Longueuil of this very impressing structure.
The tower and Stadium were designed by French architect Roger Taillibert (1926-2019)(1). The Stadium is situated in Montreal's Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district
The inclined design of the tower relates to a system for opening the dome roof of the State Olympique / Olympic Stadium.
Part of the history of the State Olympique / Olympic Stadium, built for the 1976 Olympic Games, involves huge cost-overruns, law suits, late completion and protracted, structural problems with the building. For the Quebec government, issues of both prestige and financial headaches have characterized its relationship with the preparation of the project and the maintenance of the building. Even when one acknowledges all these problems, however, it is hard to detract from the sheer impressiveness of this structure, which constitutes one of Quebec's most noted sights.
The tower has been converted into office use, providing for a somewhat prestigious — if unusual — business address. The State Olympique / Olympic Stadium complex includes the Biodôme de Montréal / Montreal Biodome, Canada's biggest natural science museum.
Longueuil's Parc Marie-Victorin is located along the southern shoreline of the Saint-Laurent / Saint-Lawrence, close to a Boulevard of the same name; the naming recalls Marie-VIctorin Kirouac (1885-1944)(2).
February 5, 2020
Notes
(1) Other works by Architect Taillibert include sports domes in Paris, Lille and Doha, Qatar.
(2) Marie-VIctorin Kirouac, of the Frères des Écoles Chrétiennes / Brothers of the Christian Schools, was the founder of the Jardin botanique de Montréal / Montreal Botanical Garden, in 1931.
Also worth seeing
In Longueuil itself, the Gothic Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Co-Cathedral, in Vieux-Longueuil (Old Longueuil), was built in 1884; close to the Co-Cathedral are some remains of Fort Longueuil, fortified residence of New France's Governor Charles le Moyne de Longueuil (1656-1729); Maison Daniel-Poirier dates from 1750.
Montréal (distance: 5 kilometres) The architectural and cultural attractions of Montreal are too numerous to mention here, but of special note, among many others, are the domed Bonsecours Market (Marché Bonsecours), dating from 1847, which was a venue used to house the Parliament of United Canada, prior to Confederation. The Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal ) was built mainly between 1824 and 1829; many Montrealers attend annual performances of Handel's 'Messiah' there.
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How to get there: Longueuil may be reached via Routes 132, 134, 112 and 15-10 from Montréal. Air Canada flies to Montreal (Aéroport international Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau de Montréal) from Toronto-Pearson, and from New York-Newark and New York-La Guardia, with wide connections. A number of car rental companies offer service at Montreal-Trudeau airport. Longueuil-Université-de-Sherbrooke station connects to Métro de Montréal. The AMT train (Mont-Saint-Hilaire line) from Montréal stops at Saint-Lambert and Longueuil-Saint-Hubert. Please check with the airline or your travel agent for up to date information.
MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.
Other of my hubpages may also be of interest
- Visiting Longueuil's Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Co-Cathedral, Québec: A Study in Gothic Verticality
With a profusion of typically Gothic features such as pinnacles and arches, Longueuil's Co-Cathedral has been a very conspicuous landmark since the late 19th century. - Visiting Mount Royal: Commanding Views of Montreal, Quebec
From Mount Royal — and particularly from the Belvedere — may be obtained fine vistas of a great North American city on the St. Lawrence River.
Related
Montreal's Museum of the First Canadian Female Saint: Marguerite Bourgeoys and Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel
Highlights of Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica: A Family Day Trip in Canada
Montreal's Biosphere: The Environmental Museum in a Geodesic Dome!
Quebec City Is Always Fun to Visit
The Olympic Games Swindle
