Jean-Talon Market Facts for Kids

Farmer's stand

The Jean-Talon Market (also known as Marché Jean-Talon in French) is a very popular farmer's market in Montreal. You can find it in the Little Italy area. It's surrounded by Jean-Talon Street, Mozart Avenue, Casgrain Avenue, and Henri-Julien Avenue. Inside, there are two streets called Place du Marché du Nord. It's easy to get there, as it's located between the Jean-Talon and De Castelnau metro stations.

This market is the biggest in Montreal. It's also the largest open-air market in all of North America!

A Look Back: Market History
- The Market Building
- Modern Updates
What You Can Do at the Market
- Summer Fun
- Surrounding Shops
Images for kids
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A Look Back: Market History

The Jean-Talon Market first opened its doors in 1933. At that time, Camillien Houde was the mayor of Montreal. Before the market was built, this spot was a lacrosse field. It was used by a club called the "Shamrock Lacrosse Grounds."

The Market Building

The market has one main building, called the chalet. This building quickly became a central point for the area around it. From when it opened until 1961, the chalet was a bus station. Buses would leave from here to go to the nearby city of Laval.

Later, between 1961 and 1970, the bus station was replaced. A public library and a social services center moved into the chalet. Since then, the building has been used for market offices.

Modern Updates

In 2004, the market went through big changes. These updates were made to help with the large crowds, especially in summer. An underground parking lot was built. Above this parking area, a new structure was added. This new space now holds 20 special shops.

What You Can Do at the Market

The Jean-Talon Market is open all year long. You can even visit it during Montreal's cold winters! In winter, walls are put up around the middle part of the market. The outdoor areas are empty during this time.

Summer Fun

The busiest time is from May to October. During these months, the open-air areas are full of vendors. About 300 sellers come, mostly farmers from around Montreal. They sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and more.

Surrounding Shops

The open-air market is surrounded by many other food stores. You can find shops selling meat, fish, and cheese. There are also places for bulk foods, spices, and imported goods. Bakeries and restaurants are also nearby. You can even find a branch of the SAQ (a liquor store).

Some of the shops around the market include:

La Fromagerie Hamel (a cheese shop)
William J. Walter boucherie (a butcher shop)
Les Touilleurs kitchenware (a kitchen supply store)

Since July 15, 2006, cars are not allowed inside the market streets. This rule is in place during summer weekends. It helps make the market safer and more enjoyable for walkers.