The French settlement of Montmartre was founded by Pierre Foursin, Secretary to the first Canadian High Commissioner in Paris in the 1880s, and a group of capitalists desirous of creating a homogeneous economic community on the Canadian Prairies. La SociΘtΘ FonciΦre du Canada ("The Land Society of Canada"), as it was called, obtained a grant of land south of Wolseley in present-day Saskatchewan and sought to recruit colonists by guaranteeing them a parcel of land, a house, and the required tools. Among their first recruits was the Berneain family, which had previously attempted to settle in Argentina before returning to France. They arrived at Montmartre in May 1893. This 1894 view probably taken by another recruit, AndrΘ Chartier, who had an interest in photography shows (on the left) La Grande Maison, ("The large house") the residence of the officers of La SociΘtΘ FonciΦre. It served also as the community building, as a school, and as the meeting place for discussion of local affairs. The low building (centre) was La Grande Ecurie, ("The Large Stable") in front of which are remains of the first wooden house built in July 1893. To the right of the stable can be seen the outline of the oven, built with prairie stones. The oxen belong to Berneau, who is standing at the head of the team. Mrs. Berneau sits in the wagon. Their house (on the right) contrasts sharply with La Grande Maison. The latter was torn down in 1901 as part payment for an outstanding debt of $4,000. owed by La SociΘtΘ FonciΦre. With Foursin's departure for France in 1896-97, the company declined and soon folded.
Courtesy: Archives of Saskatchewan, Regina; see RomΘo BΘdard, Historique de Montmartre, 1893-1953. s.l. 1953
