While visiting Montreal recently, I came across a number of public spaces with attractively-patterned pavement, many combining various types of stone. My favorite was Place d’Armes, which was renovated in recent years, but other fine examples are shown below as well.

Place d’Armes, in Old Montreal, includes smooth granite pavers in various shades of gray, interspersed with stripes of pinkish cobles. The custom-designed tree gates coordinate well with the coble patterns.

The cobbles in the streets surrounding Place d’Armes are repeated in random stripes within the perimeter of the plaza.

The large, central, open area of the Place d’Armes includes gray granite pavers punctuated by these pink ones sporting fleurs-de-lis.

The renovated Square Dorchester includes pavers with a range of textures. The smoothest ones shine both during day and evening, giving the walkways a glittery appearance.

Intermittent crosses in the pavement at Square Dorchester, formed with rough-textured pavers, signify the historic use of this space as a burying ground.

Stripes of colored concrete pavers in various hues and sizes at Place Ville Marie

Metal drainage grates serve nicely as linear accents in this park next to Montreal’s convention center.

An attractive pattern of concrete pavers and tree grates

Strips of white pavers repeat the linear pattern of water jets in the Place des Festivals.

Photos by Alice Webb