Pavillon Marie-Victorin

Hidden within the bustling University of Montreal campus, Pavillon Marie-Victorin stands as a testament to a fascinating blend of past and present. Pavillon Marie-Victorin wasn’t always a hub for psychology, education, and communication. It began its life in 1958 as the Institut Jésus-Marie, a convent and boarding school for the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. The long corridors and small rooms still whisper tales of this earlier era. This order, founded in 1844 by Eulalie-Mélanie Durocher, established many educational institutions in Montreal starting in 1860. Their influence can still be felt within the walls of Pavillon Marie-Victorin. The building’s unique pentagonal architecture, designed by Félix Racicot, sets it apart from the surrounding structures. Racicot also designed the nearby Faculty of Music building and Claude-Champagne Hall, both built shortly after Pavillon Marie-Victorin. This unusual five-story structure embraces a serene inner courtyard. Students gather amidst the rare catalpa trees and statues, remnants of the building’s religious past. The courtyard provides a peaceful escape, a place to bask in the autumn sun or take a study break in the winter. The transition from convent to university wasn’t without its challenges. The building was acquired by the University of Montreal in 1968. It was then known as Pavillon Jésus-Marie. Professor Jules Brunel, finding the name unsuitable for a secular university, successfully campaigned to rename it after Brother Marie-Victorin, a renowned botanist and colleague. The adaptation of the convent’s layout into functional university spaces led to some interesting quirks. Laboratories now occupy areas not originally designed for scientific research. The lack of large, open spaces reflects the building’s conventual origins. Over the years, Pavillon Marie-Victorin has undergone numerous renovations. Laboratories were added and relocated, an amphitheater was built, and the library now occupies a space once filled with labs. These changes have resulted in some amusing anecdotes, like staff members carrying large key rings with keys to doors that no longer exist. Despite the many transformations, the spirit of Pavillon Marie-Victorin endures. The echoes of its past intertwine with the vibrant energy of its present, creating a unique space for learning and discovery.