At the top of the basilica steps, Michelle scanned Place d’Armes for potential threats. The main square was jammed with people, street entertainers and food carts, but no one seemed ominous. Louis-Philippe Hébert created these bronze sculptures. Holding the flag is Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve. In 1642, Maisonneuve established Fort Ville-Marie (City of Mary). The French fortress, settlement and missionary evolved into today’s Montreal.
