Former palestra nationale, 840 Cherrier Street

In 1894, the Francophone middle class, made up of affluent businessmen and academics, founded a sports and leisure association: the Associafion Afhlétique d’Amateurs Nafionale, the first athletic club exclusively for French Canadians. The goal of the association was to "promote athletics and gymnastics among young people." It was not until 1918 that the Association, which had purchased a lot on Cherrier Street, officially opened its sports centre.

There were gymnasiums, bowling alleys, a swimming pool and even rooms for playing chess and checkers! Hockey was one of the sports enjoyed by members of the Association and, in 1943, future hockey stars Bernard Geoffrion and Henri Richard played on the Association’s team, named Le National. The Palestra was sold in 1974 to the Université du Québec à Montréal, and become one of its pavilions. It also houses two dance companies.

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