header site background image

Citizen alert

Pointe-Claire Windmill

5, Saint-Joachim Avenue, Pointe-Claire

Contribute to this page

2025

Views on this page

Published on : May 07 2021

Last modified on : July 16 2025

The Pointe-Claire windmill was built in 1709 at the request of the Sulpicians, then lords of the island of Montreal, on a portion of the land they reserved for themselves in 1698 on one of their concessions. It is one of the last vestiges of the genre; in fact, there are only about twenty windmills left in Quebec and this one is one of the oldest, bearing witness to the days of New France.

In addition to being used to grind staple grains, the mill was built for defensive use at a time when attacks from the Iroquois were still feared. For this purpose, it has been pierced with loopholes in several places to be used as a redoubt. Finally, the mill was an important place for meetings and exchanges for the community.

Source: Société pour la sauvegarde du patrimoine de Pointe-Claire

Add additionnal information
slider image

Moulin de Pointe-Claire

Source: Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

slider image

Mur de pierre du moulin de Pointe-Claire

Source: Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

slider image

Dégradation du mur de pierre du moulin de Pointe-Claire

Source: Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

slider image

Tour et hélice du moulin de Pointe-Claire

Source: Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

slider image

Moulin et ancien couvent des Soeurs de Notre-Dame

Source: Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

keyboard_arrow_left
keyboard_arrow_right

Although the mill is a heritage building, classified by the Ministry of Culture and Communications of Quebec since 1983 (in French), in addition to being on the heritage site of Pointe Claire (in French), cited in 2013, it is exposed to the elements and its condition deteriorates more and more over the years. The owner of the premises, the Compagnie des prêtres de Saint-Sulpice, is faced with a reality that affects all religious communities, namely the difficulty of having sufficient financial resources to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of their architectural heritage.

In addition to being an exceptional witness to the beginnings of the French presence in America, the mill has been used as a visual identifier of the city of Pointe-Claire for many years, confirming its importance in the history and the landscape of the city (in French).

In 2025, an organization called La Société pour la sauvegarde du patrimoine de Pointe-Claire mobilized to reengage the municipality and the Archdiocese regarding the restoration of the mill. Following this mobilization and a fundraising campaign, an agreement was reached between the organization and the Archdiocese. Thanks to a lease signed by both parties, the nonprofit organization will now occupy the site and oversee its management for the next 50 years. The organization is also responsible for managing the restoration work, which is set to begin in 2025.

  • Municipality or borough

    Ajouter

    City of Pointe-Claire

  • Issues

    Ajouter

    Mechanisms for protection

    Urban landscape

  • Owner(s)

    Ajouter

    Private: Archdiocese of Montreal

  • Threat(s)

    Ajouter

    Vacant

    No upkeep

    Lack of knowledge

    Demand for land, speculation

  • Conception

    Ajouter

    Léonard et Charles Paillé (roof frame and mechanism); Jean Mars (masonry work)

  • Manager(s)

    Ajouter

    Occupants: la Société pour la Sauvegarde du Patrimoine de Pointe-Claire

  • Categorie(s)

    Ajouter

    Public art

    Cultural

  • Construction year

    Ajouter

    1709

  • Recognition status

    Ajouter

    Recognized heritage building (1983); Located on a recognized heritage site – La pointe Claire (2013)

background image

Take action!

The actions of Heritage Montreal are sometimes direct and public, sometimes more discreet, but heritage is everyone’s concern. With Memento, we want to support your ambitions, your ideas and your actions. Whether your role is that of an explorer, revealer, protector, ideator or investor, this platform will help us to maintain together a coherent action to protect and enhance our metropolitan heritage.

Toolkit

Join the discussion

How do you see this Montreal site? What legacy has it left us? What future can we create for it? Where to start to get there? Who wants to participate in the project?

You have questions? Want to do more, but lack the information? Consult our toolkit to learn more about the heritage of the Montreal metropolitan area, the preservation mechanisms in place and possible actions.