The street was laid out by François Dollier de Casson, along the route of a path that had bordered a former fort.

[1] Saint Paul is Montreal's oldest street and for many years served as its main thoroughfare.

[2][better source needed] Paved in 1672, it was named after Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, founder of Montreal, who built a home for himself on it in 1650.

[3] The street is home to such landmarks as the Bonsecours Market and Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel.

Plans to pedestrianize the street in 2008 were dropped by the City of Montreal after complaints from merchants.