Pointe-Claire Windmill

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Pointe-Claire Windmill

5, Saint-Joachim Avenue, Pointe-Claire

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Moulin et ancien couvent des Soeurs de Notre-Dame. Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

Sent on May 07 2021

Last Modification 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

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Moulin de Pointe-Claire

Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

Mur de pierre du moulin de Pointe-Claire

Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

Dégradation du mur de pierre du moulin de Pointe-Claire

Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

Tour et hélice du moulin de Pointe-Claire

Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

Moulin et ancien couvent des Soeurs de Notre-Dame

Source: Richard Boudrias (2020)

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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

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    City of Pointe-Claire

  • Issues

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    Mechanisms for protection

    Urban landscape

  • Owner(s)

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    Private: Archdiocese of Montreal

  • Threat(s)

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    Vacant

    No upkeep

    Lack of knowledge

    Demand for land, speculation

  • Conception

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

  • Manager(s)

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

  • Categorie(s)

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    Public art

    Cultural

  • Construction year

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    1709

  • Recognition status

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

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News and medias

Stay tuned for the latest developments on this issue

March 27, 2025

Pointe-Claire Windmill

L’Archidiocèse de Montréal met sur pied une corporation immobilière

Le Devoir

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March 3, 2025

Pointe-Claire Windmill

Le moulin à vent de Pointe-Claire sera enfin restauré : P.-A. Saulnier

Radio-Canada

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September 8, 2022

Pointe-Claire Windmill

Le moulin à vent de Pointe-Claire sera restauré

Le Devoir

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September 7, 2022

Pointe-Claire Windmill

Pointe-Claire approves funding for future windmill restoration project

GlobalNews

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July 22, 2021

Pointe-Claire Windmill

Heritage group wants Quebec to restore Pointe-Claire windmill, convent

Montreal Gazette

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April 11, 2021

Pointe-Claire Windmill

Le moulin à vent de Pointe-Claire dans un imbroglio

PatrimoineMontreal.com

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January 26, 2020

Pointe-Claire Windmill

Schukov: The church should donate the Pointe-Claire windmill, in good faith

Montreal Gazette

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November 20, 2019

Pointe-Claire Windmill

Repairs to iconic Pointe-Claire windmill held up by negotiations

GlobalNews

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November 5, 2019

Pointe-Claire Windmill

Iconic Pointe-Claire village windmill damaged in windstorm

GlobalNews

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March 18, 2019

Pointe-Claire Windmill

Un plan de conservation de la pointe Claire

Journal Métro

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