Sainte-Madeleine church

The imposing building on your right acts as the guardian of the Battant district. Designed by a local architect, the Church of Sainte-Madeleine was built between 1746 and 1830. Its neoclassical style, with grand proportions and crisp geometric lines, includes two particularly striking features. The first is the roof. Between 1982 and 1989, the church was fitted with a new timber framework topped with glazed Burgundy tiles. The traditional bold chevron pattern has become one of the church’s standout features. The second detail is perched up near the top of the church. See that small figure up there? It’s a Jacquemart, or automated bell-ringer, made of wood and metal, standing about 1.8 metres tall. It mimics the motion of striking the bell by swinging a hammer between its legs. It’s become a bit of a local icon. Before this one, three other Jacquemarts held that same spot, turning it into a beloved mascot for the neighbourhood.