Old Montréal or Vieux-Montréal is a historic neighborhood that dates back to the 1600s when the French established a colony called Ville-Marie. Originally a trade outpost, with a fort, some settlers, churches, and other buildings, what would eventually become Montréal is now a thriving metropolitan city. It was recently that the preservation and redevelopment efforts began to preserve the uniqueness in the narrow cobblestone streets and old building facades that marks a long history of French and British influence.