Tucked behind rows of traditional triplexes and century-old façades, Montréal’s alleys reveal a quieter layer of the city’s architectural story. These narrow passageways, often paved with cobblestones or lined with uneven asphalt, mirror the evolution of the city’s urban grid — practical spaces born from necessity that now carry a distinctive charm.
Architecturally, the alleys frame the backs of Montréal’s iconic spiral staircases, brick walls, and wooden balconies. They expose the raw, utilitarian side of the city’s built environment, where function meets improvisation. Here, materials age gracefully — red brick softens under vines, and weathered doors hint at generations of adaptation.
Today, these alleys serve not only as service corridors but also as informal galleries of vernacular architecture. Residents embellish them with murals, gardens, and reclaimed wood fences, transforming once-overlooked spaces into intimate expressions of Montréal’s layered architectural identity.
1928 – Photograph of Notre-Dame Street looking west, at the corner of Longueuil Alley. The Tampa Café can be seen.1930 – Photograph showing a short alley located between two residential lots.1930 – Photograph showing an alley in a residential neighborhood. It shows the rear facades of residential buildings, one of which has a two-door garage. A car can be seen at the end of the alley.1930 – Photograph showing an alley in a residential neighborhood. It shows the rear facades of two- or three-story apartment buildings, as well as adjoining sheds or garages.1930 – Photograph showing two electric poles located at the entrance to an alley in a residential neighborhood. It shows the rear facade of several triplexes, equipped with exterior fire escapes.1930 – Photograph taken on the alley west of Durocher Avenue, at the intersection of Bernard Avenue, looking north.1933 – Photograph taken on an alley at the northwest corner of the intersection of Prince Albert and Windsor Avenues in Westmount.1957 – It shows debris (mattresses, various objects, furniture) in the backyard of 80 Leduc Street. In the background, an uninhabited house, with its door and window open.1957 – It shows the backs of the row houses on Leduc Lane, their sheds and wooden staircases. The photo was taken looking east, at the end of Grubert.1957 – It shows the back of Leduc Alley, looking west.1957 – The photo was taken from the back of 1570 Rue de Bullion. It shows row houses, sheds, and wooden staircases connecting them to the houses.1957 – This image shows the east side and corner of Gravel Alley in the Jeanne-Mance block of Montréal. It shows three-story stone and brick buildings in a row.1957 – This photo of Brunet Alley was taken looking east from 1654 Avenue de l’Hôtel-de-Ville.1972 – Photograph showing an alley in the Pointe-Saint-Charles area.1972 – Photograph showing an alley in the Pointe-Saint-Charles area. A car is seen at the end of the alley.1972 – Photograph showing an alley in the Pointe-Saint-Charles area. A car is seen parked in the alley.1972 – Photograph showing an alley in the Pointe-Saint-Charles area. A clean alleyway, with a car parked on the left.1972 – Photograph showing an alley in the Pointe-Saint-Charles area. Boxes are set on the curb, as pictured in this photograph.1972 – Photograph showing an alley in the Pointe-Saint-Charles area. There is a lot of garbage in the alley pictured here.1972 – Photograph showing an alley in the Pointe-Saint-Charles area. We can see the facade of two homes.
Find more photos from the Montréal archives on their website.
Dalia, a photojournalist hailing from Montreal, is deeply passionate about documenting events and sharing stories about people's lives. She is on track to graduate from Concordia University with a degree in journalism and a minor in art history. Currently, Dalia holds the position of Editor-in-Chief at her school's newspaper, The Concordian. Following graduation, she aims to secure a full-time reporting job at a major news outlet.
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