Crescent Street

Crescent Street (officially in French: rue Crescent) is a southbound street in downtown Montreal. Running perpendicular to Saint Catherine Street, Crescent Street descends from Sherbrooke Street south to René Lévesque Boulevard. Crescent Street is a popular attraction for both tourists and locals. North of De Maisonneuve Boulevard, there are many luxury boutiques and art galleries in a Victorian architectural setting. To the south of de Maisonneuve is a concentration of nightclubs, bars, and restaurants. The street, which opened around 1860, was originally in the form of a crescent, and was just north of Dorchester Boulevard. The first bar on Crescent Street opened in 1967. Prior to that year, the street was home mainly to professional offices. Crescent Street merchants hold an annual street fair, known as the Grand Prix Festival, the week prior to the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix with open air free concerts, terraces for the bars into the streets, street vendors, and racing displays. This festival unofficially kicks off Montreal's festival season.