Maison André-Benjamin-Papineau

The Maison André-Benjamin-Papineau, erected in 1820 for André Papineau and bequeathed in 1832 to his son André-Benjamin, holds a prominent place in the political and social history of Île Jésus: cousin of Patriot party leader Louis-Joseph Papineau, André-Benjamin Papineau distinguished himself as a notary, Member of Parliament for Terrebonne until the suspension of the constitution during the Rebellions of 1837-1838, and later as the first mayor of the Municipality of Saint-Martin from 1855 to 1860, residing in this home from 1832 until 1886. Representative of rural architecture from the first half of the 19th century through its unplastered stone masonry, one-and-a-half-story elevation, and symmetrical façade composition, the house faced demolition in the 1970s due to highway construction connecting Montreal to Mirabel Airport, which prompted its heritage designation in 1974 and its subsequent relocation to its current site on Boulevard Saint-Martin. Closed in December 2014 due to mold contamination, the house underwent major restoration and expansion work completed in 2023, including the addition of an annex significantly improving universal accessibility, before reopening in summer 2025 with a brand-new permanent exhibition recounting the history of Île Jésus since the New France era. The complex also includes the renovated Café de la Grange and the Théâtre de la Grangerie, where local amateur theatre groups perform when facilities are operational.