Montreal Flag - City of - Ville de Montréal

Originally known as La Ville Marie or City of Mary, the City of Montreal was first discovered by Jacques Cartier in the name of the King of France in 1532. Named after the city's Mount Royal (Mont Réal) it is the world’s second largest francophone (french speaking) city. Until the mid 1960’s it was Canada’s largest city and financial centre. Politics at the Provincial level would allow Toronto to pass Montreal in these areas placing Montreal a close second.

The City of Montreal flag consist of a white field with the city’s coat of arms displayed upon it. The original arms included a red Saint Patrick’s cross, which was replaced in 1939 by a red Saint George’s cross to commemorate a royal visit by His Majesty King George VI to the city. The cross is symbolic of the Christian motives and principles, which governed the city’s founding fathers. In each quadrant of the flag, can be found a floral symbol commemorating the four ethnic groups that founded Montreal. In clockwise fashion these include the fleur-de-lis of the Royal House of Bourbon symbolising the French, a Lancastrian rose representing the English, a shamrock commemorating the Irish, and a thistle on behalf of the Scots. Each in one’s corner yet connected to form a strong and vibrant city.