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| In
1680, 8th Street in Montreal was renamed in honour of the first Sulpician
priest in Ville-Marie (Montreal's former name). Dubbed St-Gabriel, this
street became famous for prominent personalities who gathered there. In
this glamorous time and place, the seeds were sown for what is now the
Auberge St-Gabriel.
Eight years later, Étienne Truteau, one the 1000 French soldier sent as reinforcements against the Indians, acquired a plot of land on St-Gabriel Street and built a two-storey house. This house was later
turned into the first North American inn (or, as the French say, "Auberge").
On March 4, 1769, the first liquor licence ever granted under British
rule was given to Richard Dulong, the inn's owner |
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| In
the 19th century, the building was purchased by Dolly Hart, the wealthy
widow of Aaron Hart, one of the country's first millionaires. She converted
it into a mansion, and lived there lavishly for nearly a quarter of a
century, organizing many balls for Montreal's upper crust.
When she died, the inn was reopened. It changed hands and names several times until it was purchaseed by Ludger Truteau, a descendant of Étienne Truteau. He restored in to its former glory, and renamed it the Auberge St-Gabriel. The inn remained
in the family for nearly 75 years. In 1987, it was acquired by the Bolay
family. Their goal was to carry on Montreal's tradition of warm and
relaxed hospitality, while offering you the chance to enjoy this magnificent
building. |
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Although
it is only a restaurant now, the original term "Auberge"
still appears in its name as a historical reference. Indeed, the auberge
St-Gabriel is rich in history, anf bears witness to the splendour of a
bygone era.
However, it has changed with the times as well, offering "nouvelle cuisine" made by the country's greatest chefs from the best products Quebec has to offer. Atribute to the glory of the past, present and future, the Auberge St-Gabriel is still the most beautiful jewel in Place St-Gabriel. |
