429 rue Viger E.
This beautiful residence should be called Jacques -Felix Sincennes House, the owner's first name. It was built in 1867. In his youth, Sincennes learned about the navigation business, later became ship-owner, businessman and even touched on politics.
There was no steam navigation on the Richelieu River. J.F. Vincennes brought together the necessary funds and built a paddle boat/wheel and a barge to transport products of all sorts from the Richelieu river to Montreal and on the river. The success was such that Vincennes had to quit his position of captain to become first Secretary and then President of the company, the Compagnie du Richelieu. The latter took expansion but soon had to face competition and finally the two rivals formed new company that became the Steamship Lines in 1913.
Sincennes became Deputy in Richelieu from 1857 to 1861. He was also appointed judge. He lived his last years in Montreal.
The French Union took possession of the building in 1909 and organized conferences, fairs, exhibitions for many years, hence the current name of the building.
