Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, founder of Fort Ville-Marie, erected the first cross on Mount Royal in 1643, thereby fulfilling his vow to the Virgin Mary in his prayers to end a disastrous flood.

The city also took advantage of this to perform additional work to improve access to the site and install new park furniture.

[3] While the cross is usually lit in white, the LED system allows it to be any colour, including the purple traditionally used between the death and election of a new Pope.

[6] It is a common misconception that by law, no buildings in Montreal are to be taller than the Mount Royal Cross.

[7] Next to the cross, a plaque marks the emplacement of a time capsule buried in 1992, during Montreal's 350th birthday celebration.