Who Founded Montreal? Maisonneuve & Jeanne Mance (1642)
Who founded Montreal?
Founders: Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve + Jeanne Mance
Date: May 17, 1642
Original name: Ville-Marie
Purpose: Catholic missionary outpost + fur trade hub
💡 Insider tip: Pointe-à-Callière Museum in Old Montreal is built directly on top of the 1642 founding site. You walk through Maisonneuve’s actual fort foundations underground — more powerful than any upper-city tour.
✨ Best for: history lovers, school groups, visitors interested in Indigenous + colonial Montreal.
Visit Pointe-à-Callière →📜 Key founding facts
| Founded | May 17, 1642 |
| Original name | Ville-Marie (became “Montreal” through 1700s) |
| Lead founder | Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve (governor) |
| Co-founder | Jeanne Mance (officially recognized 2012) |
| Funded by | Société Notre-Dame de Montréal |
| Mount Royal name | Jacques Cartier, 1535 (a century earlier) |
| First hospital | Hôtel-Dieu (1645) by Jeanne Mance |
👤 The founders, in brief
Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve (1612-1676)
French soldier and first governor of Montreal (1642-1665). Led the founding expedition, defended Ville-Marie against attacks during its fragile early decades, returned to France in 1665. His statue stands in Place d’Armes alongside Jeanne Mance’s.
Jeanne Mance (1606-1673)
French nurse and co-founder. Established Hôtel-Dieu (1645) — still operating today as a teaching hospital. Saved the settlement from collapse during the 1650 crisis by securing 20,000 livres from her patron Madame de Bullion. Officially recognized as co-founder by the Canadian government in 2012.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Montreal?
Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve + Jeanne Mance on May 17, 1642, funded by the Société Notre-Dame de Montréal. Originally called Ville-Marie.
When was Montreal founded?
May 17, 1642. The name Montreal (from Mount Royal, named by Jacques Cartier in 1535) gradually replaced Ville-Marie through the 1700s.
Why was Montreal founded?
Catholic missionary outpost on the Hochelaga site previously visited by Jacques Cartier. Also became a fur trade hub thanks to strategic river location.
Who was Jeanne Mance?
French nurse, co-founder, established Hôtel-Dieu (1645) first hospital in Montreal. Officially recognized as co-founder by Canada in 2012.
Who was Maisonneuve?
French soldier and first governor of Montreal 1642-1665. Led the founding expedition. Returned to France in 1665.
Reviewed by: Montreal Tips editorial team · Last updated: May 13, 2026
Sources: Pointe-à-Callière Museum, Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Library and Archives Canada.
